What Causes Moss Growth on Your Roof?
Have you noticed moss growing on your roof? You may be wondering what’s causing it and whether it’s worth the trouble of removing it. Typically, if there is moss growing on your roof, it is a sign that you have a moisture problem. The excess moisture and debris buildup on your roof can create the perfect environment for moss to grow. This is especially true if trees shade your roof.
Moss first begins to grow under your shingles or tiles. This makes it hard to spot until it’s well-established and causing you problems. In particular, moss causes the shingles to lift, allowing more water into your roofing system. This ultimately leads to further degradation of your roofing, and you may start to see other issues, such as leaks and wood rot in your roof’s structure.
Other things that can grow on your roof:
- Algae
- Fungus
- Lichen
- Mildew
- Mold
- Plants
Moss tends to grow in the areas of your roof that are shaded or which receive the least amount of sun – this is usually the north-facing side of your roof. Know which areas of your roof tend to be shaded and check these areas for moss and other plant growth regularly. Moss will generally be green in color and appears in clumps. Though it may not seem like a big deal, moss can be incredibly destructive to your roofing. If you start to see signs of moss growth, you should take steps to remove it. Even if the moss looks dead or dying, you should still remove it and have the roof inspected for damage.
How to Prevent Moss from Growing on Your Roof
Removing moss involves spraying off loose moss, scrubbing and/or scraping the remaining moss off your shingles, and applying a cleaning solution to your roof (usually containing bleach) to ensure that all the moss is removed and to help prevent it from coming back. This can be a big job.
If you believe you have moss (or something else) growing on your roof, we recommend that you work with a professional roofing specialist like Lyons Roofing to have it removed. While you can do some of it yourself, working on your roof can be dangerous, especially if you do not have all the appropriate tools and safety equipment. You also run the risk of damaging your roof.
Once the moss is removed, you should focus on keeping it from growing back.
Things you can do to prevent moss from growing on your roof:
- Keep your roof clear of debris, leaves, sticks, etc.
- Make sure your drainage system is clean and remove blockages
- Replace cracked, warped, or broken shingles immediately
- Repair leaks as soon as possible
- Schedule annual roof inspections, especially if your roof is prone to moss growth
You may be able to help prevent moss by installing zinc-coated metal flashing in strategic areas of your roof, such as beneath ridge caps. Zinc has anti-moss properties, which will disperse across your roof as rainwater runs over the zinc strips. Before going this route, we recommend speaking with our roofing specialists to discuss if this is the right option for you and, if so, to ensure that the zinc strips are installed safely.
Do you have moss, mildew, or other plant life growing on your roof? Contact Lyons Roofing for guidance on having it removed.
