Thick moss on a roof can be lovely, giving the house a fairy tale, hobbit-like feel. Moss, on the other hand, does nothing for a roof and can cause serious damage to your home if left unchecked.
There is no turning back once roof moss has accumulated to the point where it is pushing out shingles and causing decay. At that point, the roof needed to be replaced.
However, there are simple methods for killing moss on your roof before it becomes a major issue. Roof moss can be removed using both liquid and dry treatments, but the most important step is removing the dead moss from the roof after it has been killed.
Unless a professional roof cleaning company is used, the dead moss will act as a sponge, absorbing additional water and hastening the deterioration of the roof structure. The dead, dried moss will not simply peel off and blow away.
How Does Moss Ruins a Roof?
Moss thrives on north-facing roofs with little sunlight, especially when the weather is cool and moist. Roofs that receive even a small amount of direct sunlight each day may not develop moss. It is most commonly found on roofs that are mostly shady, such as those beneath dense tree canopies.
Roof moss begins as a thin green dusting visible only from low angles. This thin coating on the surface of the shingles gradually expands to become wide, thick, and mat-like. Because the seams between the roof shingles and the edges of the shingles are particularly darkened, moss grows there.
The moss thickens and pushes its way beneath the shingles, raising them. Because wood’s porous surface is ideal for moss growth, this process can occur at an alarming rate if the roofing shingles are made of wood. Moss is much more difficult to remove from wood shingles than from composite or asphalt shingles, which have relatively smoother planes.
When the moss forms a thick mat, it absorbs and retains all moisture like a sponge. This accumulated water quickly makes its way under and between the tiles, then onto the lower levels of the roofing felt and the structural components of the roof. This eventually leads to rot and deterioration of the roofing materials. In a few months, the accelerating cycle (mold growth) can destroy a roof.
Getting rid of moss as soon as possible is critical to maintaining the structure of your home and its roof.
What Are the Dangers of Moss?
Moss does not emit harmful spores or gases, does not contain toxins or irritants, and lacks the mass to physically damage structures such as roof tiles. Moss, on the other hand, is dangerous due to its ability to retain moisture.
When moisture, such as rainwater or humidity, collects on a roof, it usually dries the air before it can persist for too long. Moss on the roof can trap moisture and prevent it from evaporating properly.
Furthermore, when excessive moss growth traps moisture on a roof, the shingles can weaken and deteriorate over time. If you ignore the moss on your roof for years at a time, you may significantly reduce its longevity. Moisture softens the porous material, making it more susceptible to rain and wind.
Persistent moss effects may exacerbate another, more serious problem: mold. Mold, which thrives on moist surfaces, is even more dangerous than moss. If a mold colony forms, the fungus can cause irreversible damage to your roof.
Only by removing excess moisture from the shingles can you ensure a mold-free roof, and only by removing moisture-trapping organisms like moss can you free your roof of excess moisture.
What You’ll need in Eliminating Moss
Moss can be easily removed; when the proper steps are taken, they can be easily eliminated. However, it is critical that proper roof cleaning methods are used while doing so.
It is therefore advisable to get a professional roof cleaner or any expert roof cleaning services around you.
- · A Roof washing and a power washer for a roof pressure washing
- · Garden hose with spray nozzle
- · A chemical solution for soft washing.
- · Safety glasses or goggles
- · Ladder
- · Safety rope and so on.
- Pressure washer for moss removal.Factors in Calculating Roof Cleaning Costs
Many homeowners avoid anything that will put a strain on their finances. It should come as no surprise that some of them would prefer to do their own roof cleaning rather than hire professionals. Even though doing it yourself will save you money, hiring a professional roof cleaning company will provide you with numerous benefits that far outweigh the cost of their services.
The following should be considered while calculating your roof washing cost;
- Roof size per square foot and roofing material.
- Frequency of cleaning process or plan, e.g., monthly or regular roof cleaning
- labor
- House Height and Story Count
Cleaning a roof involves more than just using a high-pressure washer to remove the dirt, debris, leaves, and microbes off the roof. Different types of roofs require various roof-cleaning solutions, which can also affect overall roof-cleaning cost.
Contact a Cleaning Roof Company in Northern VA
Roof Real Clean is a family-owned and operated business in Falls Church, Virginia. We began serving Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland, in 2010. Our roof cleaning business specializes in exterior pressure washing. Residential and commercial customers rely on us to restore and safeguard their property. We do not use subcontractors; all of our workers are professional roof cleaners.
House washing and gutter cleaning services improve the appearance and value of your DMV property.
We guarantee same-day service and 100% customer satisfaction. No deposit is necessary to begin a power cleaning project and no additional expenses for services such as journey charges.
You can contact us at 70-3971-619 for free estimates.