Roof Moss Removal

Moss growing on the roofs is a common problem in many parts of the world, especially in the areas of substantial wet weather. You will find moss along with lichens and algae growing all over the roof, decks, walkways and other outdoor structures. Moss is actually a living plant that feeds on asphalt roofing material. Moss on the roofs can be a silent destroyer as it begins to put holes in your roof over time. Roof moss removal becomes extremely important to prevent this unsightly growth and the damage that it causes to your roof. Here is how to go about it...

Moss Removal from Roof

Roof moss removal can be quite a complicated process and requires taking proper precautions. The main idea is to remove the existing moss growth and prevent its recurrence. Deposition of organic debris on the roof is actually the main cause of the moss growth. When the organic debris decomposes, it develops into a rich, compost like soil, which serves as a perfect substrate for the moss spores, blowing in the air. These spores land on the roofs and begin growing on the organic substrate. So, to prevent the growth, it is very important to keep the roof clean.

Step 1
Start by cleaning the organic debris that is deposited on the roof. Remove the existing moss growth. You could use a plastic rake to rake the whole roof area. This helps to dislodge and loosen the large moss growths and facilitates easy removal of the roof moss.

Step 2
Sweep the roof area using a large, soft bristle broom to clear away the smaller moss chunks that have been dislodged by raking. Carefully sweep off the debris between the shingles and smaller crevasses of the roof.

Step 3
Now, that you have cleared off the roof of most of the debris, it is time to clean and scrub the roof area to remove all the remaining moss clusters. Use warm water and detergent or bleach to do the cleaning. About half a cup of powdered detergent per 10 gallons of water will be just perfect to soften up the moss. Bleach diluted with water can also be used to kill and remove the moss. However, take necessary precautions to avoid bleaching the roofing shingles.

Step 4
After spraying the roof with detergent and water, scrub down the roof with a hard bristle brush, to remove moss by the roots. Always remember to brush down the roof and not up, to avoid damaging the roof material. Scrape along the surface of your roof-line. Make sure to be a little light handed, as scraping too hard can damage your roof shingles.

Step 5
Once all the cleaning and scraping is done and your roof is no more covered with moss, use a moss repellent on the roof to prevent or slow down the process of moss growth. Moss repellents are commercially available and can be sprayed or applied easily on the roofs. And last but not the least, keep your roof clean to avoid recurrence of moss.

This was a simple and easy method of roof moss removal. If moss continues to be a problem even after the above method, you may have to use stronger moss removal methods such as using commercially available chemical moss killers or you will have to call a professional to clear the moss off your roof! Installing metal roofing can also fix the problem of moss growth.