Moss On Asphalt Shingle Roof

When it rains moss will soak up water and retain it creating consistently wet conditions on your roof.

Moss on asphalt shingle roof. How to get rid of algae on the roof. On an asphalt or possibly some treated wood shingle roofs shingle chemistry is also involved in moss lichens and algae growth or resistance to it. Moss can be physically removed from the roof by hand. Moss growth will also interfere with proper drainage of water off the roof as water needs to trickle through or around the moss instead of running straight down to the gutters.

Spray the moss covered roof with a moss control product or sprinkle the material on depending on the product formulation. If you live in an area with lots of shade from trees and buildings the moss can thrive even more. Commonly found in climates with warm humid summers it does no damage to the roofing but it certainly does looks bad. Moss is common in rainy environments because it loves moisture but it also loves humidity and many roofs are humid because of heat escaping the house sunlight hitting the roof and so forth.

The black mold like stains and streaks that appear on roofs particularly light colored asphalt shingles is actually a blue green algae gloeocapsa magma. The asphalt roofing manufacturers association distinguishes between moss a plant with leaves that can grow into thick clumps and mold and mildew which are common names for types of algae that. The seams between the shingles and the shingles edges also develop moss because they tend to be especially shaded. In severe cases moss build up can cause lateral water movement resulting in moisture damage to the roof deck or may even cause leaks.

Unlike algae moss can be detrimental to asphalt shingle performance. If you have an asphalt roof and want to keep it looking great and working well check out these facts you should know about moss growth and asphalt shingles. Moss loves moisture humidity and darkness. For large expanses of an asphalt shingled roof use a long handled scrub brush made for cleaning gutters and roofs.

Carefully place a ladder near the area of moss growth and don slip resistant shoes old clothes rubber gloves and eye. It s a tedious job but it is easier on the tiles than more invasive techniques. The resulting constant exposure to water can degrade shingles. This thin layer on the top of the shingles expands and becomes wide thick and mat like.

Hose off and brush all moss loose from your roof shingles. Some roof shingle materials contain algaecides or fungicides which will also retard moss growth on the roof surface.