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Moss can cause damage to your roof if left untreated, so it’s important to remove it as soon as possible. Here are some steps to effectively remove moss from your roof:
1. Safety first: Wear protective gear such as gloves and non-slip shoes.
2. Remove debris: Clear any leaves, twigs, or other debris from the roof.
3. Mix cleaning solution: Create a mixture of equal parts water and bleach or vinegar.
4. Apply the solution: Spray the cleaning solution onto the moss-covered areas of the roof.
5. Let it sit: Allow the solution to sit for about 15-20 minutes to kill the moss.
6. Scrub and rinse: Use a scrub brush or broom to gently remove the moss, then rinse the roof with water.
7. Prevent future growth: Trim back overhanging branches and consider installing zinc or copper strips to prevent moss growth.
Remember to exercise caution when working on your roof, and if the moss growth is extensive or you’re unsure about the process, it’s best to consult a professional.
If you have fuzzy green moss on your roof, it may give your house a charming look, but it can cause damage to the roof. Moss lifts shingles, allowing water to seep underneath and rot the roof decking.
Moss survives on the roof because of the moisture present. It collects water through its greenery and transports it under the shingles. Moss grows in shady areas of the roof and interferes with the roof’s ability to reflect sunlight, leading to roof deterioration and affecting the interior climate of your home.
You can use commercial products or homemade remedies to kill moss. However, physically removing it from the roof is a challenging task. Moss clings tightly to the surface it grows on, and even after it’s killed, it can still trap snow and water, creating ice dams that can further damage the roof.
After removing the existing moss, it’s important to prevent another colony from forming. This is easier than you may think.
Start by Killing the Moss
The first step is to kill the moss.
Image Credit:
Wet & Forget
Moss can be killed with bleach, vinegar, or dish soap. You can mix any of these with water to create a spray that will effectively kill roof moss. Start with 2 gallons of water and add one of the following:
- 8 ounces of dish soap
- 1 pound of oxygenated bleach
- 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups of liquid chlorine bleach or white vinegar
Mix the solution in a garden sprayer. However, be cautious when climbing onto the roof. Ensure that the shingles are dry before starting the roof work. It’s best to wear shoes with textured rubber soles and move slowly and carefully. If the roof has a noticeable slope, it may be necessary to use safety harnesses.
Before applying the moss-killing solution, wet the moss with water. You can use a garden hose or a sprayer with plain water to moisten the moss, and then refill it with the moss-killing solution.
Allow the solution to sit on the moss for 20 to 45 minutes to ensure that the moss dies.
If you prefer to use a moss killer that you can buy from a store, there are several options available including Wet & Forget, Moss B Ware, or Bayer 2-in-1 Moss and Algae Killer. Follow the instructions on the container for the best use of any of these products. Some are meant to be rinsed off, while others need to stay on the moss for a longer period of time to be effective.
Scrub the moss off the roof by using a scrub brush or push broom. Always scrub in a downward motion to avoid damaging the shingles. If you scrub upwards, you may break the shingles and allow moisture to seep underneath them.
After allowing the moss-killing solution to work, physically remove the moss by scrubbing it off. If some parts of the moss are difficult to remove, don’t worry too much about it. As long as you can remove the majority of the moss, the rest will dry out and become easier to remove. Additionally, rain will wash off a lot of the moss from the roof.
Power washing can be used to remove moss, but opinions from professionals vary. Some experts advise against it due to the potential damage it can cause to the roof covering and the possibility of water getting underneath it. Others have no concerns about power washing. If you choose to power wash, make sure to keep the pressure below 2,000 psi, use a nozzle with at least a 15-degree fan spread, and always spray in a downward direction. Avoid spraying toward the roof peak as it can damage the shingles.
To prevent moss from growing back, periodically spray a bleach solution on the roof or install zinc strips near the peak and at 15-foot intervals down the roof. When rainwater falls on the roof, it will wash over the zinc strips and prevent moss growth. Zinc ions released by rainwater are toxic to moss. Copper strips work even better but are more expensive.
Zinc roof flashing can be purchased at a hardware store and is relatively inexpensive. It should be installed under the ridge cap or hip, or under the first row of shingles below it. The flashing needs to be flat to provide complete protection. Use roof sealant or self-sealing screws to attach it, as nails may back out with temperature changes. Zinc strips typically last around 5 years and should be fastened with easily removable screws for replacement.
