Roofing systems in America are designed to be replaced every 30 years, on average. During that time, your roof will face a variety of issues that you need to deal with. And given how critical the roof is to the overall structure of the house, most of these issues need prompt solutions.
Unfortunately, some common roof problems don’t always get the attention they deserve. One of these issues is having moss on roof. Many homeowners don’t quite understand how much damage both live and dead moss on roof can cause.
In today’s post, we tell you why you should never turn a blind eye to that moss on your roof. We’ll also give you a few moss removal and prevention tips. Read on to learn more.
What Is Moss?
Mosses refer to tiny, non-vascular flowerless plants that typically live in damp conditions. The fact that they’re non-vascular means that these plants lack roots and thus absorb nutrients through their spores.
Currently, there are more than 12,000 species of moss throughout the world. If your roof has moss, then it’s most likely that the variety is roly-poly roof moss, spindly roof moss, or furry roof moss. Regardless of the variety, it’s important to have it removed right away.
Benefits of Having Moss on Roof Removed
Moss on your roof is never a good thing. Here are five reasons you should have an expert tackle the problem right away.
You Get To Prolong the Life of Your Roof
The cost of roof replacement can be high, no matter what type of roof your home has. It’s the reason you want to do everything possible to extend the life of your roof. Allowing moss to thrive on your roof will only lead to roof damage over time.
Moss grips tightly to the surface of your tiles, causing hairline surface cracks at first. As years of harsh winters go by with moss growing on your roof, these cracks widen and deepen. Soon, you have cracked tiles and are looking at costly repairs.
You Keep Moss From Falling Onto Your Surfaces
Few things are more annoying than having to clean moss particles constantly from your car, patio, driveway, or paths. Inevitably, the dead moss on your roof will regularly fall on these surfaces. Removing the moss from your roof is the only way to end the nuisance once and for all.
You Get To Prevent Moss From Blocking the Gutters
Your gutters are meant to take water from your roof to soakaways beneath the ground. This way, rainwater from your roof doesn’t cause water ingress, dampness, or structural issues.
Moss on your roof can cause blocked downpipes. Getting an expert to remove it prevents this issue.
Moss Removal Boosts Your Home’s Overall Curb Appeal
The roof makes up a massive part of your home, which makes it one of the most critical curb appeal items. Keeping your roof squeaky clean is thus one of the ways to up your home’s overall appearance instantly.
A layer of moss on your roof can affect its appearance and, thus, its value. Get the problem sorted, and you have an attractive roof that buyers will notice right away.
You Get To Prevent Health Hazards
Sure, not all moss poses a health risk to people, but some varieties do. Younger children, older people, and people who suffer from respiratory problems like asthma are, particularly at risk. The moss spores on your roof can get dragged into your home since they usually end up on your walkways and paths.
The best way to prevent these issues is to remove all moss on your roof.
How To Deal With Moss on Your Roof
Now that you’ve seen what moss can do to your roof, it’s likely you want to get rid of it right away. There are countless articles online on how to tackle the problem on your own. But while many of these articles make DIY moss treatment sound like a breeze, some of their suggestions are often ill-advised and may actually cause more problems.
For instance, some articles will tell you to pressure-wash your roof. But this method only washes off the surface layer of moss, and the spores left behind will soon grow back. Besides, pressure washing your roof can damage your tiles and shingles.
Other articles suggest that you use bleach to treat your moss problem. Sure, bleach can kill moss, but it can also cause discoloration to your roof if not used the right way. Moreover, it can cause other vegetation on or around the house.
If you must treat moss yourself, then use moss control powder, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Whenever possible, it’s best to leave moss treatment to the professionals.
Moss Prevention Tips
Once you’ve had the moss on your roof completely removed, you’ll want to do your best to prevent regrowth. Thankfully, doing so is easier than many people think.
Start by trimming any branches that hover over your roof, as they create the ideal conditions for moss to thrive.
Next, be sure to clean your roof routinely. Once or twice per year should be sufficient. Cleaning ensures that there’s no debris on your roof that could encourage moss growth.
Consider using zinc strips along the peak of your roof. When it rains, the zinc is released onto your roof, discouraging moss growth.
Keep Your Roof Clear of Moss
Moss on roof is one of the most commonly ignored issues. But moss can be very harmful, as you’ve seen. It’s the reason you need to have an expert take care of it before it escalates.
Are you experiencing problems on your roof and need professional assistance? Please, get in touch with us today and learn how we can help.
