How to Remove Moss from Your Roof - Quick & Safe Methods

Even though a layer of moss might appear warm and rustic on top of your home, it can be harmful to your roof. Clean up all of the moss and prevent it from returning by following these three simple steps.

If you spray chlorine bleach on your roof, dilute it first to prevent plant damage. It removes mosses, fungi, and mildew. A good mixture is one gallon of water, one quart of bleach, and 1/4 cup of a strong cleaner, such as trisodium phosphate. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners because when combined with bleach, they release toxic fumes.

Fortunately, moss removal is a relatively easy task that you can do periodically or as needed to keep your roof weathertight and attractive. Follow these instructions to get moss off a roof.

How to Remove Moss from Roof Tiles

Use our simple instructions to learn how to clean moss off rooftops.

What You'll Need:

• Safety glasses or goggles
• Rubber gloves
• Safety rope
• Work clothes, a cap to protect your hair, and slip-resistant footwear
• Ladder
• Garden hose equipped with a spray nozzle
• Moss-remover of choice
• Backpack-style garden pump sprayer or a large spray bottle
• Scrub brush
• Long-handled soft-bristle brush
• Power washer (optional)

Step 1: Prep Space

No matter which approach you choose, you'll get dirty, so dress appropriately; don old clothes, safety glasses, rubber gloves, a cap, and slip-resistant shoes. If you intend to climb to the top of your roof, have a safety rope or harness at the ready. Use plastic sheeting to protect the nearby plants. Grab the hose, position the ladder, and begin climbing.
Read More: Lichens vs. Mosses - Differences & How Do You Identify

Step 2: Spray the Roof With Water

Water should be sprayed on all of the moss-covered areas. Always work from the top of the roof down to make sure the water pours off and neither you nor the tools lift or break the shingles and tiles.

Step 3: Scrub the Shingles

Use a scrub brush ($3–$15, The Home Depot) or a long-handled soft-bristle brush to gently scrape or pluck the moss from the shingles or tiles before using a moss-removing cleaner. Focus on one small area at a time so that you can have better control over the brush and your scrubbing movements. To prevent the shingles from breaking, move the brush downward.

Step 4: Apply Moss Remover

If you still require a chemical solution, apply your preferred remover with a pump sprayer ($37; Walmart) or a sizable spray bottle. According to the manufacturer's instructions, soak the moss and allow the solution to set. Allow the homemade remover to work for about 20 minutes.

Step 5: Rinse the Roof

Removing the solution and the now-dead moss requires climbing a ladder, grabbing a hose, and doing so. Use a scrub brush to remove any remaining moss, then rinse the roof once more.

Step 6: Power-Wash Roof (Optional)

There are a few things to keep in mind when using a power washer as an alternative to remove moss. First, check to make sure there are no broken, chipped, or damaged roof shingles or tiles because water under high pressure will likely amplify the damage and seep through any cracks. Additionally, in order to point a power washer downward when using one, you'll need to stand on the roof above the mold. If you decide to use this technique, make sure to use the lowest pressure setting.

How to Prevent Moss on Your Roof

Fortunately, there are preventive steps you can take to keep moss off your roof. The sun should be let in first. Trim any branches that hang over your roof, clean out the gutters, and regularly clear the roof of moisture-collecting materials like leaves, branches, and seedpods that promote the growth of moss. Just below the peak or ridge caps, zinc flashing strips ($41; The Home Depot) or metal flashing strips with a zinc coating should be fastened. When it rains, water runs over the metal strips, releasing moss-retardant zinc particles that adhere to the roof shingles and/or tiles to prevent the growth of new moss.

Your operations will run successfully if you work safely, wisely, and strategically. With the help of these preventative measures, you should be able to avoid using a ladder and a roof for many more seasons, if not years.

Best Time of Year to Remove Moss from Roof

Anytime during the year, in all four seasons, moss can be removed. Total moss removal is neither advised nor possible when the roof and moss are frozen.

On cool, damp surfaces, moss thrives. Therefore, the majority of experts advise homeowners to remove moss when the weather is dry. May through October is the ideal time of year to remove moss from the roof.

Choosing the Best Roof Moss Treatment

Roof moss can be removed from effectively using homemade moss removers and specialized chemical treatments. But which approach is the most effective?

Lilly Miller Moss Out for Roofs has always been a great option for use in domestic settings, in my opinion. But you can also use common household items to make effective moss-treatment remedies. The most popular home remedies for roof moss include Dawn Ultra dish soap, vinegar, and bleach treatments; we'll talk more about each of these remedies later.

Can You Remove Roof Moss With Detergent Or Bleach?

The moss on your roof may be partially cleared off by suffocation and regular bleach and detergent, but not entirely. To remove moss from roof surfaces, you'll need industrial-strength bleach and detergent. But the harm these two agents do to the roof shingles is something that most homeowners overlook.

In addition to an additional protective layer of tar and asphalt, roof shingles primarily consist of a fiberglass layer. Faced with abrasive environmental elements like sunlight, wind, and water, this shield keeps the shingles in tact. Your roof shingles will become vulnerable as the protective layer on them deteriorates if you use strong bleach and detergent to get rid of the moss problem.

In conclusion, refrain from removing moss from your roof with bleach or other potent cleaners.

Take Care of Not Damage to Shingles

While removing the moss, be mindful of the security of your roof. Your roof can be harmed in a variety of ways during the process.

When trying to remove moss from your roof, avoid using high pressure! once you scrape or brush off the moss from the roof shingles, the debris comes loose. Therefore, there is no need for high-pressure washing, as you might when removing moss from driveway or paver stones. Instead, clean your roof's surface with a hose and regular water pressure.

You don't want the water to seep into the shingle spaces and damage the roof, so be sure to point the hose downward and not upward.

While using a hard bristle brush rather than a soft bristle brush effectively removes the moss, it also scratches the shingles' surface, shortening the life of your roof. When removing moss, avoid pounding and scouring; instead, use gentle rubbing and soft brushing.

Avoid lifting the shingles by making slow up-and-down or side-to-side motions. Avoid causing the shingles to crack, break, or rip by working on small sections at a time.

How to Remove Moss from Roof Naturally

Chemical-based moss-killing products are widely available in shops. The only issue is that while most chemical-based products will assist in removing moss from your roof, they also stain your roof and corrode the gutters.

You may be interested in finding effective natural moss removal techniques if you care about the environment. Yes, you can try some very successful natural moss removal techniques. They include:

1. Using Vinegar to Kill Roof Moss

You always have vinegar in your kitchen for various uses. If you're determined to get roof moss off, I bet you've never considered using vinegar as a solution.

8% of acetic acid is present in vinegar. This is the active component that can eliminate unwanted live growths like weeds, moss, roots, and other invasive species from your property.

• Mix two parts vinegar with one part water to make the perfect moss killer solution
• Pour or spray the solution on the affected areas covered with moss on your roof
• Give the solution between 40 and an hour to soak.
• The loose moss layer should then be washed away with a garden hose. A soft-bristled brush could also be used to scrape the moss off.
• If you notice that the moss hasn't completely died after some time, repeat this procedure.

Both distilled white vinegar and apple cider vinegar work well for removing roof moss.

2. Killing Moss With Baking Soda

There are countless DIY remedies you can create at home with baking soda. Baking soda is without a doubt your best option if you want a long-lasting fix for your roof moss problem. Baking soda can be used in two different ways to clear moss from your roof. They include;

The Dry Method

Sprinkle baking soda powder on the moss-covered surface of your roof.

To evenly distribute the baking soda over the moss, use a soft brush.

Check to see if the moss has dried after two to three days. Baking soda is working if the moss has changed from a bright green to a darker brown or golden hue.

Your roof's dead moss can be removed using a brush or a scraper. Using a water hose, cleanly remove the residue and debris from your roof.

Spray Method

950 ml of water should be mixed with about three tablespoons of baking soda. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle after stirring gently to completely dissolve the baking soda.

Ascend the roof and evenly spray the solution on all moss-covered surfaces. Before removing all the dirt and scraping the moss, you might need to apply several treatments to completely kill the moss.

3. Recipe for Homemade Roof Moss Killer

Though effective, homemade moss killers fall short of the outcomes provided by chemical-based moss killers. Below are some popular homemade roof moss killer recipes if you're looking to buy some time before calling the pros.

• 3 cups of chlorine bleach + 2 gallons of water
• 2 gallons of water + 8 ounces of dawn Ultra Dish soap
• 3 cups distilled vinegar + 2 gallons of water
• 1 pound of powdered oxygen bleach + 2 gallons of water

Before using your homemade roof moss killer, think about wetting your roof with plain water for better results. Apply the DIY moss removal solution after letting the roof sit wet for 20 to 40 minutes.

How to Prevent Roof Moss Reoccurring

A frequent issue that many homeowners deal with is moss growth. Having to contact professionals every few months to assist with roof moss removal is annoying. There are some inexpensive solutions you must try in addition to using harsh chemicals and purchasing copper to prevent moss from regrowing. They include:

Regularly Clean the Roof

To get rid of accumulated dust and debris, you should clean your roof once or twice a year.

Trim the Branches

On shady areas of your roof, moss loves to grow. The sun can shine on your roof by pruning overgrown tree branches.

Clean the Gutters

Static water can accumulate in clogged gutters. Water that penetrates the shingles may stain the siding and rot the fascia boards, resulting in additional damage. On constantly wet shingles, moss spreads quickly. Leaks and moss growth are avoided by cleaning the gutters at least twice a year.

Use Moss Resistant Shingles

If you install shingles designed to resist moss and algae growth, you never have to worry about it.

Install Metal Strips

The ridges of the roof can be fitted with copper or zinc strips to stop the growth of moss. The idea is to wait for it to rain while letting the metal oxidize. Rainwater removes the oxidized metals from your roof, which makes moss growth less likely.

Is It Worth Removing Moss from Roof?

Your roof can suffer significant damage from moss growth because it compromises the condition of the shingles. Remember that ineffective moss removal techniques can also compromise the structural integrity of your shingles and other roof components, leading to additional damage to your roof.

By using expert roof moss removal services, you can prevent moss growth.

The Impact of Roof Moss Damage

There is little doubt that moss growth can cause roof damage, particularly if the issue is neglected for an extended period of time. Moss growth can cause roof damage such as:

• Cracked or Lifted Shingles: The moss between the shingles swells up like a sponge as it grows and frequently causes the shingles to lift or crack. Rainwater and pests can enter the roof's inner, more vulnerable areas through damaged shingles, resulting in water damage and pest infestation.
• Affects your Warranty: The worst part of moss removal that goes unchecked is that it voids your roof warranty. Your roof's repairs resulting from moss growth won't be handled by your roof contractors.

Treating Roof Moss Vs. Lawn Moss

Lawn moss and roof moss may look alike, but their removal techniques are not interchangeable.

For instance, homeowners frequently find detergent or bleach to be an effective way to remove roof moss. However, killing moss on your lawn with harsh chemicals can also kill healthy plants and other unaffected patches of grass.

For advice on how to best handle moss growth in various areas of your property, consult a professional.

Verdict: How to Remove Moss from Roof

When there is an accumulation of dirt and debris on your roof, your shingles will still retain water even without shade from trees. It was the ideal environment for moss to grow quickly due to the wetness. Maintaining a moss-free roof requires routine cleaning.

FAQs Removing Roof Moss

Should You Remove Moss from Roof

The reason being, in most instances, moss on roof tiles is rarely a problem and only needs to be removed if it is blocking gutters, outlets and other drainage points on the roof.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove Moss from a Roof?

Per square foot, businesses typically charge between $0.20 and $0.70. For professional moss removal, budget between $150 and $250. The cost may change depending on the moss treatment option best suited for your roof, especially if the problem is minor.

Will Dead Moss Fall Off the Roof on Its Own?

A portion of the moss growth on your roof may die and fall off during windy or sunny seasons. However, until you discover a workable moss removal technique, moss growth will persist on wet or shaded areas of your roof.

Is It OK to Pressure Wash Moss Off the Roof?

Moss cannot be removed from your roof by pressure washing. Additionally, it jeopardizes the health of your roof. High-pressure water jets can remove some of the moss from your roof's surface, but they can also lift the shingles and result in water damage to your roof.