Moss on the trees might be beautiful, but moss on a residential roof is an eyesore. Not only that, but it can begin to damage asphalt shingles and shorten their life. It’s a common problem in some areas of the country, especially areas where high humidity is consistent for long periods of time. Even when there is a cold winter climate for vegetation to lay dormant, moss can be robust enough to come back quickly when the weather turns.
If you have moss on your roof already, you need to consider having it washed or cleaned. There are a number of solutions on the market to do this. Contacting an experienced roofing contractor is the best way to find a product that has a proven track record. It’s also best to allow a professional to direct the cleaning process, because there are some steps that need to be followed to get rid of existing moss.
If there is no moss on your roof because it is relatively new, or you are in a climate which is not as prone to moss growth, it’s still important to make sure moss growth doesn’t begin. Moss on the roof is much easier to prevent than to get rid of. Attention to a few simple guidelines can go a long way to slowing the problem for most homeowners or perhaps eliminating it altogether.
One of the most important aspects of moss prevention is to simply keep the roof clean. If your home is in a wooded area, this may be an ongoing project; but a roof that is free of debris provides less of an environment for moss to grow. Sometimes a garden hose is all that’s necessary to tidy up the roof surface. Other times keeping the roof clean means an organized effort toward shaping the environment nearby.
Shade is one of the big culprits for moss growth on asphalt shingles. Although many homeowners in wooded areas enjoy the idea of a house protected by shade, the lack of sunlight is the perfect environment for moss to multiply. Lack of sunlight and cool temperatures allow moss to grow more quickly. Also, if there are trees hanging over the roof, leaves, sap and other deposits from those branches make it more difficult for rainwater to keep the roof clean, creating moss growth.
Keeping trees trimmed around the roof is a key to preventing moss growth. Sometimes even a neighbor’s trees encroach on the space over the roof of your home. Moss prevention may mean working with your neighbor to ensure those trees aren’t able to create a moss-producing scenario on the roof.
If you are planning to re-roof an existing home in an area prone to moss, one of the best preventative measures is a copper-infused asphalt shingle. Copper doesn’t always eliminate moss but it slows its growth significantly. A copper-infused shingle contains a roofing granule made of copper which is blended with the other roofing granules primarily to prevent algae. Since it also inhibits moss growth, it really is worth looking at if it’s time to replace your roof anyway.
Sherriff-Goslin Company is a qualified roofing contractor who can help any homeowner with roof materials and installation needs. Sherriff-Goslin also offers Pristine Shingles featuring Scotchgard™ Protector, a copper infused shingle from Atlas Roofing®. A visit to www.SherriffGoslin.com is a great way to begin learning about moss prevention and to receive help from a local roofing contractor for a variety of roofing needs, including moss cleaning and prevention.
