Maintaining a green landscape in your home is a great addition to its value. However, there’s such a time when the greenery is a cause for alarm and panic – when it’s growing on your roof. The chances are high that your roof is deteriorating at an alarming rate if it is covered in mossy foliage.
Moss favors areas with low sunlight penetration. So, you may notice it growing in roof areas shaded by tree canopies or north-facing roofs. Due to its nature, it can spread quickly across the roof’s surface, giving your roof a garden-like appearance. The new vegetation on your roof traps water from rain, snow, and ice. It also predisposes the roof to leaks, roof rot, and decay.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of moss on roof, you should also consider how to prevent its recurrence. Most roof cleaning experts recommend moss removal on a cloudy day. Cloudy days reduce heat stroke and exhaustion and improve the roof’s absorption of cleaning chemicals.
Once applied, you should leave the cleaning chemical in place for at least 20 minutes, allowing it to work on the roof’s surface. You can then scrub and wash the roof’s surface to restore it to its original look and condition.
It is important to consider the intended result when choosing the type of cleaning chemical to use for the job. Homeowners planning to DIY can choose the least-toxic moss killer to protect their vegetation and the environment. Other moss removal solutions include bleach and readymade roof moss treatment chemicals. These products can be purchased at the local convenience store but may require you to cover your vegetation in plastic sheeting.
Explore these roof moss removal solutions to remove moss on your roof and reduce roof repair needs.
Moss Removal Products and DIY Solutions
There are plenty of readymade moss removal solutions in convenience stores around you. Walk into the nearest convenience stores and ask for a moss removal product. Most commonly available products cost about $30 to $45 and can get the job done excellently.
Please be sure to carefully read the direction for use on the product before applying. Most products require dilution with water before use. They may also come with warnings about the potential effect on your landscape.
You can also make your own moss removal product if you aren’t looking to buy one. To make a less toxic but effective moss removal product, get supplies like chlorine bleach, detergent, or heavy-duty cleaners like trisodium phosphate. Mix one quart of bleach with one gallon of water and one-quarter cup of your heavy-duty cleaner. It is important to avoid using ammonia-based cleaners for this task as they create toxic fumes when mixed with bleach.
A plant-friendly solution is recommended if you’re more concerned about your landscape and vegetation. Make your plant-friendly solution by mixing one cup of oxygen bleach into one gallon of water. You can also add 8 ounces of dishwashing liquid and 1½ or 3½ cups of white distilled vinegar into two gallons of water. Pour the plant-friendly solutions into a sprayer and spray your roof thoroughly to get started. Leave the mixture on the roof for between 15 and 20 minutes before washing.
Removing Moss from your Roof
You’ll need some basic supplies to pull off the job once you’ve decided on the best moss removal solution for your roof. Some of the important supplies include;
- Safety gear like rubber gloves, safety goggles or glasses, safety rope or harness, etc.
- Work clothes, a cap to protect your hair, and slip-resistant footwear (preferably boots)
- Sturdy ladder
- Garden hose fitted with spray nozzle
- Moss-removal solution of choice
- Long-handled soft-bristle brush
- Sprayer (preferably backpack-style garden pump sprayer)
You may also use a power washer or pressure washer for this task. However, it is important to note that a pressure washer can damage your roof when not appropriately set. You should set the pressure washer at low pressure and test it on a small surface before use.
Steps Involved in Removing Moss From Your Roof
Step 1: Prepare your space
Moss removal job is a dirty job that’ll leave you dirtied at the end of the task. Get some work clothes on and prepare to enjoy the task ahead. It is important that you get all your safety gear to prevent accidents during the task.
Ensure that all nearby plants and landscapes are covered in plastic sheeting to reduce or eliminate the moss-removal solution’s effect.
Step 2: Load up sprayer with water
With your safety gear checked, load up water into the sprayer and generously apply it throughout the roof. Always work from the top of the roof downward for the best result.
Step 3: Scrub Shingles
Once the water has been generously sprayed on the roof shingles, get out your brush and scrub the roof’s surface evenly. Ensure you’re scrubbing from top to bottom with measured pressure to avoid damaging your roof shingles.
It is recommended that you work on small sections of the roof at a time for efficiency.
Step 4: Apply Moss Removal
Once done with scrubbing, load up your sprayer with the moss removal solution and generously apply it from the top of the roof to the bottom. Ensure that each roof area gets a generous spray of the moss removal solution for effectiveness.
Leave the solution to sit for at least 20 minutes and get some rest.
Step 5: Rinse your Roof
Get your garden hose fitted with a spray nozzle or a power washer ready. If using a power washer, ensure it is set at 70psi or below to avoid damaging your roof shingles. Rinse off the moss removal solution and the now dead moss from top to bottom. Ensure that no area of your roof is skipped during this operation.
Preventing Recurrent Moss Problems
After successfully removing the moss population on your roof, preventing its recurrence is the next line of action. Here are some of the common steps to take;
- Trim overhanging tree branches providing shade and encouraging moss growth
- Clean roof gutters and remove debris
- Remove moisture collectors like seedpods, leaves, dead branches, etc., from your roof
- Attach zinc strips or zinc-coated metal flashing strips below the roof’s peak or ridge cap.
These tips can help prevent recurrent moss problems on your metal roofing while also prolonging your roof’s lifespan.
At Wegner Roofing and solar, we provide exterior services to keep your roofs in top shape. Contact our roofing contractors for all your roofing needs, whether roof inspection, flat roof construction, repairs, installation, replacement, or cleaning. We also provide solar near me services to keep your home and office powered up.
