How To Clean Moss Off My Roof

Stop Roof Algae From Coming Back

To keep the algae from coming back, insert 6-inch-wide strips of zinc or copper under the row of shingling closest to the roof peak, leaving an inch or two of the lower edge exposed to the weather. That way whenever it rains, some of the metal molecules will wash down the roof and kill any algae trying to regain a foothold on your shingles.

You can probably see this same principle working on roofs in your neighborhood. Look for chimneys with copper flashing the areas directly below the flashing will be free of any algae stains.

The strips also work on roofs suffering from moss buildup. Just scrub it off first with a brush, then bleach as above.

Need help with home maintenance? Read our reviews on home warranty providers.

What Is The Best Way To Remove Moss From A Roof

If you plan to remove the moss from your roof yourself, we would suggest using sodium hypochlorite. Why is that? It is by far the best DIY way to remove moss from your roof. It is inexpensive, easy to use, fast-acting, and efficient.

You may need to purchase a sprayer to apply the sodium hypochlorite as evenly as possible.

When it comes to cleaning moss off of your roof, never use a jet wash or high pressurised water to rinse and clean your roof. This is because the jet wash will damage your roof tiles or slates and cause more harm than good. It will remove the protective layer from the roof that will require major repairs in the long run.

Instead, you can use soft wash techniques, whether machine or otherwise. This gently rinses the roof whilst protecting it. If you dont have a soft wash machine, a hose and a stiff brush will do the job. Most roof moss removal chemicals take 15-20 minutes to work.

You might want to make sure the surroundings of your roof are protected from the chemicals. You may also need to clean out your gutters after and make sure they are not blocked with moss and other debris. It will not damage concrete.

If you would rather not go through the hassle of cleaning your own roof, feel free to contact a roof cleaner local to you and ask for a quote for your roof.

How To Clean Moss Off Your Roof Surface

If you want to clean the moss off yourself, then youll want to figure out how to first remove it but to also ensure it doesnt come back. So lets cover the first bit, how to clean moss off your roof. There are different ways to remove moss from your rooftops and firstly, you should choose the right day to do it on. Youre going to want to do it on a cloudy day so that when youre applying any roof cleaning products, its in the right conditions that its going to soak into the moss. If its done on a hot day, then the product or treatment you use is simply going to evaporate and potentially hinder your results.

You should allow at least twenty minutes for the product to absorb into the moss, and there are plenty of products out there to choose from. There are those that are available in a spray bottle, or that can be attached to a hose. Each one is going to need to follow correctly as they can tend to have different instructions. Using a stiff brush on your roof can also be useful for scrubbing away moss, and its worth getting an extendable pole for reaching your roof safely. If youre looking for a homemade cleaning solution for moss, then simply mixing bleach and water might help. It depends on the growth of moss that you have up there and so it might be worth purchasing the right products to get rid of the stubborn moss that just wont move.

You May Like: How To Estimate Roof Size

Should You Hire A Professional

The answer depends on you. Maybe you cant get up on your roof anymore to clean it. Or you dont have any time.

Well, if youre facing any problem, a professional roof cleaning service is your next best choice.

Luckily, theres a ton of roof cleaning services today. You wont have a difficult time looking for them. But, the only thing youll need to watch out for is their price. They dont come cheap!

Sure theyre using the standard bleach and water, but youre also paying them for their services! Well, thats the trade-off. You wont tire yourself, but youll need to spend some bucks to clean your roof.

Nevertheless, always pick someone reliable. Reputable cleaning roof services are everywhere. Ask your friends and family they might have someone to recommend.

Also Check: What Should A Roofing Contract Include

Two Common Types Of Algae On Your Roof

Fire Moss Fire Moss is less common than the Gloeocapsa Magma below but is still very prevalent on many roof substrates, from cedar shake to asphalt shingles, it loves to latch on and reproduce. When fire moss gets out of hand, it will push up your shingles allowing water to get underneath and severely degrading your roof.

Gloeocapsa Magma This is the old black streak on my roof culprit. It is most common on Asphalt shingles and can is a spore based algae, it lives on the limestone in your shingles. When it feeds it degrades the limestone and eventually if left untreated, will take over the whole roof making it look all black when that is not the color of the shingle itself, that is in fact the algae growing on the shingle.

Also Check: How Much Is Tesla Solar Roof Cost

What Causes Moss On Roof

Moss grows well in cool, damp environments. So if moss is growing on your roof, its most likely you live in cooler areas of the country. Or it can grow in a section of your roof that doesnt receive sunlight consistently.

Research shows that moss growing on any roof surface is more severe on roof sections shaded or periodically exposed to excellent weather conditions. This may either be the presence or absence of much sunlight on a roof surface. When a combination of shade and cool moisture on a roof surface, moss or lichens have a high chance of growing on it.

Moss growth on roofs can be drastic, and finding ways to tackle them before they grow too much is an essential factor to consider. Regular roof maintenance is a recommended remedy to handle and eliminate the problem.

Is Your Roof Going Way Too Green Use These Materials Tools And Methods To Eradicate Moss From Your Rooftopand Keep It From Coming Back

Ann Wilson has worked to bring readers the best information about their homes. For over five years, she has discussed in-depth about designing a space, from choosing the right colors to creating the best organization in any room.

On top of design, Ann has written extensively about remodeling and flooring in the home to ensure all readers choose the best option to fit their lifestyle and preferences. Her remodeling topics have included choosing the best wooden flooring and tiling to create a cohesive, beautiful space.

Ann Wilson is a leading expert on home design and remodeling. She has over five years’ experience discussing all-things remodeling, color designs, and flooring ideas to help readers make the best design choices.

Overhead greenery should be limited to the leaves on tree canopies. If moss is covering your roof, it’s time to get cleaning. Moss grows in areas untouched by sun, so it can develop at a speedy pace on tree-shaded and north-facing roofs. Spreading moss can quickly adhere to roof surfaces, filling in voids between shingles and tiles, and reaching under and lifting up roofing materials. This heaving of shingles allows rainwater and other moisture to seep into your roof’s structure to cause decay and rot.

Before you clean the moss off your roof, you’ll need to consider how you want to kill the plants and remove the dead layers. After cleaning, you’ll also need to put some defensive measures into play to prevent the moss from growing back.

Read Also: How Much To Fix Shingles On Roof

Why Laundry Detergent Is Dangerous On Your Roof

Using detergent to remove moss from your roof isnt just dangerous for your shingles. It can also be dangerous for you. Moss is wet. Detergent may be dry in the box, but once it comes in contact with moss it becomes slick and slippery.

Slick and slippery is not what you want while youre up on your roof. Homeowners dumping detergent on their roof have lost their balance on that very detergent and ended up in the hospital. Some have even died.

You May Like: How Much To Charge For A Square Of Roofing

How Much Does It Cost To Have Moss Removed From Roof

Moss removal is included in the overall cost of these three, which ranges from $0.20 to $0.75 per square foot.Moss removal and prevention.

How do you sweep moss off a roof?

The most effective method of cleaning algae and moss from a roof is with a 50:50 mix of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. Apply with a sprayer and allow the solution to dwell on the roof surface for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with low pressure water.

Don’t Miss: How To Build A Hip Roof

Take Care Of Not Damage To Shingles

Watch out for the safety of your roof during moss removal. There are many ways you can damage your roof in the process.

High pressure washing your roof during moss removal is a big no-no! once you scrape or brush off the moss from the roof shingles, the debris comes loose. So no need for high-pressure washing as perhaps you may when clearing moss of pavers or a driveway. Instead, use a hose with normal water pressure to wash the surface of your roof.

Remember to point the hose downward and not upwards because you dont want the water seeping into the shingle spaces and causing roof damage.

Using a hard bristle brush instead of a soft bristle brush does an excellent job of removing the moss but also brushes off the surface of the shingles, compromising the longevity of your roof. Avoid pounding and scouring gentle rubbing and soft brushing are recommended during moss removal.

Use slow up and down or side to side motions to avoid lifting the shingles. Work on small sections at a time and be careful not to crack, break or rip the shingles.

Should You Be Worried About Moss On Your Roof

Moss might give your home a touch of fairytale charm, but it can be an indicator of water damage or other roofing problems not what you need when youre looking to live happily ever after.

So what should you do if your roof becomes covered in moss, lichen, algae, or similar growths? Do you need to replace your roof entirely, or is there an easy way to safely remove the moss and restore your roof back to its previous state? Keep reading to find out.

Don’t Miss: How Much Does It Cost To Build A New Roof

To 3 Cups Chlorine Bleach + 2 Gallons Of Water

You can also make chlorine bleach for roofs, but it is important to use the correct dilution and to test on a small area first. Also, when using chlorine bleach, always wear protective clothing.

Requirements:

Procedure:

Is It Worth Having Moss Removed From Roof

Removing moss from the roof is absolutely necessary to guarantee the proper functioning of the water drainage and to prevent the roofing from freezing to pieces.

Should you steam clean a roof?

Steam, the myth goes, can more easily remove moss and lichen from your roof and will strip away years of unsightly buildup from your homes siding. Some companies claim the steam washing will sanitize your roof. Its all that heat that will cut away oil, grease and gum and grime.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Purpose Of Roof Gutters

Deprive The Moss Of Moisture And Shade

This is ideal especially, for flat roof owners who live in areas with high precipitation and many trees.

While this method is more of a prevention measure, it rids moss indirectly by eliminating the conditions that favor the growth of moss on the roof.

Water retention is a common problem with flat roofs. While pitched roofs have a natural slope where the water can run down, draining off the roof, flat roofs lack the natural slope and hence do not drain water effectively.

The water might not pose an instant threat, however, over time it can encourage moss, algae, and other vegetation on your roof. Eventually, this shortens the lifespan of your roof and leads to other structural damages.

To remove and prevent water retention, flush existing drains and ensure they are always free of all forms of debris. You can also add more drains where necessary, fix low spots, install roof crickets or re-pitch your rooftop.

For the shade, simply remove tree branches that grow near/above your roof and any other object that may be creating the shade to allow direct sunlight which dries and destroys the moss.

How To Prevent Moss On Your New Roof

A long-term solution can be ensuring no parts of the roof are in shade. Trim any branches you suspect are making shade and ensure the roof gets as much direct sunlight as possible. Make sure to keep the roof and the gutters free from leaves and debris, as they can be moisture collectors.

Metal strips on the ridge of the roof are the best long-term solution for moss on the roof. A copper, zinc or galvanized metal strip can make the roof unsuitable for moss, algae, and lichen to grow. Metal will oxidize over time. Because the strips are placed on the ridge of the roof, every time it rains the strips will be washed down the whole roof, making it much less habitable for moss, algae, and lichen. Thats why you sometimes see a gap in the moss next to an aluminum-sided dormer. Beware that adding a copper strip will take time for the inhibition of moss to start. Metal strips cant deal with a present infestation of moss, they can only prevent them from happening.If you need help with cleaning your roof from moss or are planning on redoing your roof, contact us for a free estimate or just a consultation!

How Much Will it Cost?

Get an idea of the cost of replacing your roof with our roofing company Detroit services.

Recommended Reading: How Much To Put Metal Roof On Mobile Home

What If The Moss Appears Dead

If the weather has been consistently dry, moss may appear to be dead. However, some species of moss can stay alive when dried out for months. All it will take is one rain for it to recover and continue growing. If your moss has dried out, take the opportunity to have a roofer remove the moss from the roof.

What If The Moss Appears Dried & Dead

When the weather is consistently dry, the moss becomes dry and brittle, giving the appearance of being dead.

Dried moss is dormant and loses its green hue with time. When rehydrated, however, it will come back to life and begin growing again.

Most moss species can survive for months after being dried out. It only needs one rain to recover and continue growing. If your moss has dried out, take advantage of the opportunity to have it removed as it is easier then.

Also Check: How Much Does It Cost To Pressure Clean A Roof

Roof Maintenance Tips To Prevent Moss Growth

Here are some tips to keep in mind and prevent moss growth on your roof:

• Regularly clean your roof and check for any bacteria growing there.
• Always keep your attic well ventilated.
• If you have trees growing around your compound, ensure you often trim overhanging branches.
• Make sure you replace the caulk around flashing as required.

Use Vinegar Or Bleach To Kill Moss On Roof

Q: I have moss on my roof, little green plants. My insurance company said to get rid of it. How can I do that? Will vinegar kill the plants, just as you said it will kill weeds growing up between bricks of a patio?

A: The insurer should have told you that moss on the roof can cause the shingles to decay, but that will take a long, long time. Yes, vinegar will kill the plants, because vinegar is like acid rain, which can damage any green living thing. Bleach will also kill it. The dead moss will be easier to scrape off. Or, scrape it off while its still green with a dull scraper, and hose down any earth that remains.

Q: Help! I am stuck with a soap-scummy shower door. Nothing will take it off. I tried vinegar, ammonia, and dish detergent, separately, without success. Any ideas?

A: Yep, the old monster raises its scummy head every now and then. Vinegar should do it, because vinegar is a good neutralizer of soap. There are so many solutions on the market that I am not convinced any of them work that well. Heres what I have in my vast file: X-14 Bathroom Cleaner, Clean Shower, Citra Solv, and baking soda. One solution will work for sure: Get rid of the door and put in an old-fashioned shower curtain. They are colorful and inexpensive. When it gets scummy, throw it away and buy a new one.

Q: What is a good way to paint radiators? Mine are in good shape, but I think Id like to paint them black.

That thundering roof

Don’t Miss: How Long Does It Take To Build A Roof