How To Remove Moss From Roof Tiles
If you’ve ever looked at your roof and wondered why it’s turning green in places, it’s most likely because of moss that has taken hold. While it might seem like a good thing to let things like this happen naturally, it isn’t great for your roof tiles.
To help you learn more about roof moss and how to tackle it, this month at Roofer UK Network Ltd, we’ll be providing an in-depth guide to everything you need to know about roof moss.
What is roof moss?
Moss is technically a herbaceous plant that grows as a short, yellowish-green sponge. It has no real flower but can rapidly spread in a mat-like formation where it appears. It’s well known that moss is a hardy plant and comes in varied species across the UK. Many people consider moss to be a type of weed, due to the similarities in how it manages to spread rapidly in unexpected places.
Why does moss grow on my roof?
Moss spreads through spores that it releases, often carried by other organic materials such as tree branches and leaves, so if you’ve got lots of tall trees nearby then moss may easily find its way to your roof.
Sometimes it can feel like moss grows randomly, but there’s always a reason behind it. Moss loves shadier, cooler and generally damper spaces, so the slant of a roof will be the perfect place for it to take hold – especially as we head from summer into autumn when rain and morning dew become more prevalent. The porous nature of most roof tiles, and the way they’re angled, allows moss to get sunlight, water and shade – the perfect growing conditions.
Why is moss bad for roofs?
While some people despise the look of moss, others are less bothered. Ultimately though, moss is bad for your roof. That’s because it will continue to grow at pace, working its way between tiles and drawing in water. Eventually, this will lead to structural damage to your roof, as it will no longer be protected sufficiently from the elements. It’s easier to clean moss or take preventative measures than to have parts – or all – of your roof replaced.
Roof moss removal methods
If you find yourself with moss growing on your roof tiles or in your guttering, there are two ways you can choose to try and tackle it if you catch things early enough. Here’s how to remove moss from your roof tiles:
- Removing moss naturally
Despite moss being a hardy plant, it should be easy enough to use a long broom and some scraping tools to get rid of it naturally. This requires some energy and thorough work though.
You should only attempt to do this from a ladder – if you need to go further and can’t reach parts of your roof without walking on it, we recommend hiring a professional to perform roof maintenance safely instead.
- Removing moss with a cleaning agent
There are some specialist moss cleaning products you can buy that you can either use from a watering can or mister to spray onto the affected areas of your roof. This will then kill off the moss as it dries out, plus, it can also be used to clean the moss from your patio or paving tiles – just be sure to check the chemicals you’re using are suitable for your roof material.
How can I prevent roof moss?
Want to save yourself time and energy when it comes to cleaning moss? The best thing to do is to take preventative measures. While there’s no guarantee that you can stop moss – it’ll grow wherever it wants to! – you can always limit the chances of it getting to your roof in the first place. This means cutting back any trees or overhanging bushes that might drop leaves, branches and spores onto your roof in a strong wind. By doing this, you should also be allowing more sunlight to get to your roof, creating a warmer environment that moss won’t enjoy.
Professional roof maintenance from Roofer UK Network Ltd
Here at Roofer UK Network Ltd, we provide roof maintenance services throughout Watford, Hampstead, Highgate and the surrounding areas. This will help to ensure that everything is well with your roof and that any issues, such as damage caused by moss, can be taken care of at the earliest opportunity.
To learn more about how our professional team of roofers can help you protect your property – whether commercial or residential – call today or use our handy form.