Bright Exterior Cleaning

Got Moss on Your Roof? Here is How to Remove It!

Do you have roof moss and need it removed?

It is that time of the year again when you need to clean your roof!

All the obvious things that need to be removed to ensure a successful roof and house cleaning:

  • Leaves, Check!
  • Sticks and branches that you are still wondering how they got stuck up there, Check!
  • But how about the roof MOSS draping your shingles? …….(no response). 

We are all used to seeing moss anywhere else but our roof like on rocks, garden beds, grass, etc., but this plant has been making a name for itself on your roof, and its stay isn’t as welcome as you might imagine it to be!

The phrase “Roof moss removal” sounds simple, but it’s more complex than just spraying it off with a hose.

Roof moss is a very real problem that many homeowners face on as their homes age, and for most, without their knowledge, and if left unchecked, it can do some pretty costly damage that you don’t want to ignore! 

All that being said, our goal today is to teach you what moss is and the great options you have to remove moss from your roof shingles!

Learn the basics, save the long term money, and reap the reward of a moss-free roof!

Related reads that may help you as a homeowner as you care for your roof:

Roof Moss Removal 101

Many are familiar with the name moss, but don’t know too much about it.

When you think of moss, you might think of the great wideout from the Minnesota Vikings who happens to be not too far from Northern, Va (a few hours), aka Randy Moss!.

However, moss is a non-rooted plant that grows and spreads rapidly and looks pretty good by a creek or in the woods. But moss is nasty when it grows via spores on roof shingles, and it can be detrimental.

Roof moss prefers optimal growth conditions – a cool, damp areas where the sunlight doesn’t reach – like a roof shaded-areas from trees. Chances are if your house is in the sun most of the day, you have a small chance of roof moss.

What makes roof moss especially destructive is that they can spread in between shingles and tiles, which exposes the roofs surface to trapped moisture from rain that compromises the structural integrity of your roof as it will begin to rot and decay progressively. 

Moss is like a sponge, great at absorbing water! 

With what it can do to roof shingles, on top of that, it can also lead to the rise of its cousin, mold! When it begins to get to that stage of the game, that could spell some big, underlying trouble that needs immediate attention. 

This puts a heavy emphasis on diagnosing the extent of the moss that has grown and is growing on your roof to better understand select areas needed to be cleaned. Sometimes moss can hide in very inconvenient places, and can be tough to find. 

Since roof cleaning is not recommended to be a DIY project due to the inherent risk of injury/death, hire a professional to assess your situation!

>> How to Find a Roof Cleaning Company Near You

How to Remove Moss From Shingles

We recommend always consulting a professional roof cleaning company when it comes to cleaning your roof.

Bluntly put – anytime you get on your roof you run the risk of self-injury, ladder accidents, and lastly, hard work. Cleaning your roof is no easy task and aside from the personal safety risk, it is something that can actually lead to more issues if not done correctly.

That being said, we will share the steps to roof moss removal below if you insist on being the DIY person, but if not, reach out here to learn about our roof cleaning packages.

1. First Get Your Supplies:

  • Ladder
  • Bucket
  • Cleaning Solution (Typically Chlorine bleach and water is the go-to)
  • Pressure washer w/low pressure wash nozzle and syphon tube
  • Safety Goggles 
  • Gloves

2. Next, make your solution:

  • Mix both Chlorine bleach and water in a bucket
  • Research the appropriate measurements and dilution of each (another reason to consider using a roof moss removal company)

3. Put on Safety Gear (Gloves and Safety Goggles) 

  • Refer to the owner’s manual to be better prepared with the right safety equipment and knowledge when handling a power washer even if at low pressure. 
  • Also practice ladder safety and have a spotter or someone to help you!

4. Rent & Set-up Pressure Washer:

  • Apply the low-pressure nozzle to the pressure washer (“Roof Soft wash”, more on this later!)
  • Put syphon tube in solution 
  • Turn on power-washer!

5. Spray up and down roof shingles until moss is removed. 

  • Let absorb for 20 min, re-apply if needed.
  • RECOMMENDATION: Results are best when done on a cloudy day! Sunshine can evaporate the solution and limit its effectiveness. 

Remove the moss from your roof and shingles and restore your roof to it’s original state!

That being said, if the above list overwhelmed you and maybe had you reconsidering doing it yourself – don’t worry we get it.

First, you want to actually do what is called a “roof soft wash” and we will elaborate on that below!

What’s this “Roof Soft Wash”?

Roof soft washing is a style of washing that uses a pressure washer, but adjusted to low pressure to be able to clean roof shingles that are very delicate in nature.

It’s a time efficient, cost-effective way that is a great substitute to the old-fashion, hand scrub method. 

Pressure washers have nozzles that all allow you to adjust PSI to match the strength needed to clean. Moss that grows on your roof will only require low pressure washing to be able to effectively remove it no time!

One full roof spray will mostly likely do the job depending on your situation, but always double check!

With the rate that you need to clean your roof, 1-2 times a year (all situational), you will save money by hiring a professional to clean your roof via the soft wash method, then going out of your way to buy the supplies to get it done while not inheriting the risk at all! 

Never Pressure Wash Your Roof

This is something VERY IMPORTANT to take note of! Never ever pressure wash your roof, because pressure washing is designed for surfaces that can withstand high impact, but the material that roof shingles are made out of are delicate and only can absorb so much pressure! 

Pressure washing can cause heavy damage by removing roof shingles from the roof’s surface and further exposing it to the elements that will create more opportunities for moss to grow and spread. Don’t create more problems than you started with! 

Final Thoughts on Roof Moss Removal 

Roof moss removal is something that is more of a common need than you think! Many people need it, but few really know about it, and for those who do know about it, odds are they don’t know how to remove it!

Removing moss from your roof is a pretty simple process, but because it is simple doesn’t mean you should do it alone! Using a pressure washing machine even if adjusted to a lower pressure can still be pretty dangerous to handle and should not be handled by novices. 

Search for power washing companies in your area for help!

Roof cleaning of any sort is not a risk that should be taken, because it’s pretty dangerous! Hire a professional to get the job done. In the grand scheme of things, hiring a professional will get the job done in a timely manner and save you more money in the long term!

Be prepared and proactive the next time you need to clean moss off your roof!

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