If you have moss on your roof, you might be confused about how it got up there. The answer is the perfect combination of moisture and debris. And if your roof also gets any sort of shade from nearby trees, plants, and nearby structures, this allows moisture to linger and even more moss to grow.
Naturally, the best way to prevent moss on your roof is to trim back any plant growth.
First things first — what is moss?
Moss is a green, fuzzy, and flowerless plant. They grow in clumps or mats, typically in damp or shady locations. This includes your roof, and the damage moss can cause is right up there with hail, wind, heavy rain, ventilation issues, and poor installation.
Once moss grows on your roof, it gathers in the spaces between shingles, absorbs moisture, and creates:
- Excess weight on your roof
- Rot
- Bacteria
- Loose shingles
- Leaks
- Blocked drainage systems (gutters)
Want to prevent moss on your roof? Start by cutting back plant growth
Roofs collect a ton of moisture. They also collect debris such as leaves and tree branches. The more water and debris you have on your roof, the easier it is for moss to grow. And it will grow rapidly.
The good news is that preventing moss on your roof is pretty easy. Simply trim back your trees, especially those that overhang the roofline and leave leaves, seeds, and sticks on your roof. Doing this simple maintenance step also creates more sunlight.
Just a few tips to keep in mind:
- Trim back your trees
- Any tall plants near your home can also be cut back
- Remove any existing twigs and debris that are already on your roof
- Clean out your gutters twice a year
- Talk to your roofer about installing zinc or copper flashing strips under your shingles
- Stay on top of your routine roof inspections
If you’ve already got moss on your roof, don’t worry. A professional can clean it using 50-50 water and household bleach. And more often than not, a total roof replacement isn’t necessary unless the moss was there for too long and caused significant structural damage.
Call MJT Roofing today!
There are so many things to be aware of as a homeowner when it comes to your roof. Getting your roof cleaned is one. Conducting a routine roof inspection is another. Over the next several months, we’ll continue to publish helpful content to our blog page so that MJT Roofing can be a go-to resource for you!