How Can I Remove Moss From My Roof?

Question: How can I remove moss from my roof with as little damage to the asphalt shingles as possible? In the valleys of my roof, often in shade, moss has grown. I’m concerned about the long term effect of moisture and root systems damaging the shingle quality.

Answer: When you are trying to remove moss from your roof, do not use a pressure washer. While you may blow the moss itself off the roof, you will find that you also blow the granules off of your Phoenix shingles and may shorten your roof’s lifespan. Moss needs several different environmental factors to thrive: shade, moisture, and an environment with a pH that is moderately acidic.

To prevent the spread of moss, trim any overhanging trees so they no longer shade your roof, clean off any debris on the roof, and relocate anything that may be causing these shade pockets like satellite dishes or pest control devices. Giving these mossy areas as much sunlight as possible will help prevent spreading and later outbreaks. Also, installing copper or zinc strips on the roof ridges can prevent moss growth.

To kill the moss that is already there, a chemical application tends to be the most popular method. You can purchase moss and algae killers in spray or powder from the local hardware store that may work but they can be expensive if dosing an entire roof. This may be a good option for you if you only have small pockets of moss. Some people prefer to upset the moss’s environment using cheap acids like vinegar, sodium hydroxide and lemon juice, or cheap bases like ammonia, salt, or bleach. Be careful of any chemical application both for your Phoenix Arizona roof and your landscaping under the roof. Chlorine bleach does a great job killing moss, but will also kill your flower garden under the gutter while Sodium Hydroxide can actually damage your shingles if not rinsed off. Test any compound you plan to apply to your roof on spare shingles first and inspect for discoloration, loss of granules, or other damage to the shingle.

If maintenance for your shingle roofing is too costly, consider a Phoenix tile roof installation, or talk to the Phoenix roof repair company near you.