Moss roots can lift up shingles, create leaks in your roof, and breed bacteria that can cause health concerns for your family. While not all mold poses a health risk, some are harmful, especially for older people, children and those who suffer from asthma and respiratory problems.
How to Prevent Moss Growth on Your Roof
Moss commonly thrives in damp, shady environments, making your roof a prime location for it to grow. You can prevent moss growth on your roof by taking a few simple measures:
- Cut back overgrown trees to ensure your roof isn’t completely shaded, allowing for sunlight to dry up any moisture.
- Keep your roof free of debris through regular roof maintenance and cleanings.
- Use zinc strips to prevent the future growth of moss. These strips can be nailed along with the ridge caps at the peak of your roof. Additionally, when it rains, the zinc will be released onto your roof and inhibit any moss growth.
Similar to algae, if you have moss on your roof, you should contact a professional to remove it. Not only is walking on your roof dangerous, but it can be harmful to your health should you come in direct contact with the moss.
Call a Professional to Remove Moss
At Landmark Exteriors, we’ll employ one of the following tactics, or a combination, to rid your roof of moss:
- Scraping the moss off by hand by using a pressure washer and a hand scraper. This will remove any large areas of moss.
- Bleach the moss away. While bleach will kill the moss, it may also discolor your roof because of its corrosive properties.
- Spread moss control powder. This is one of the best ways to prevent and remove moss from roofs. The powder is made from zinc sulfate and does no damage to your roof. However, moss control powder has the potential to be harmful to wildlife and vegetation.
- Replace damaged shingles. If your roof is severely damaged, it may be time to replace the lifted or damaged shingles.
At Landmarks Exteriors, our professionals are here for all your roofing needs! Large or small, we take care of everything from routine maintenance items to emergency roof repairs. Contact us today to see how we can help!