Roof Moss: How to Remove Moss from a Roof

In some instances, bright green roof moss can add to a rustic, picturesque country scene, but let’s be realistic – that only works in art. The reality is that a mossy roof usually ruins the look of your home, but even worse – it can lead to expensive damage, a prematurely ageing roof and an inevitable phone call to a professional Liverpool roofing company! Although we’ll be happy to repair your roof if you call us, we are also happy to help you maintain the roof so it doesn’t have to come to that.

So why is there moss on the roof? Moss is a non-vascular plant that absorbs its water through the leaves, where others absorb it through the roots. This means that moss is primed to catch raindrops in its chosen high altitude destination: your roof! Moss thrives on moisture and will die without it, but since the roof is there to shield you from rain, it’s hard to prevent moss growing on the roof. Plus, when the sun doesn’t come out to dry it up, it can proliferate rapidly.

If you have moss collection on the roof tiles, you won’t be alone. As professional roof cleaners in Merseyside, we see moss covered roofs every day of the week. That’s why we are here to answer your most likely questions about removing moss from the roof…

What does moss do to a roof?

As we mentioned above, moss grows on roof tiles very quickly, and before you know it, your lovely clean roof looks marred with green patches! As well as the down-pouring water, moss feeds on roof debris, such as dead leaves. Can moss cause roof damage? Unfortunately, yes.

Moss growing on a roof can threaten the structural integrity of your roof, and age it before its time. Excessive roof moss can cause cracks in the tiles, leading to roof leaks - and even damp on the inside of your home. How does moss damage the roof? Partly due to its ‘rhizoids’, the moss alternative to roots that attach it to your roof tiles. 

Furthermore, because moss can retain water for such a long time, it can grow in connecting areas, gradually weakening and rotting roof materials… thus leaving you in need of roof repairs. It also causes discolouration, and annoyingly, when heavy rain dislodges it, the moss can sit in your gutters or create slippery, hazardous zones on the ground outside your home.

Should you remove moss from roof tiles?

Without a shadow of a doubt! It is also wise to clean your roof regularly, even if there is no moss present. Preventing moss growing on the roof is surely easier than removing it! Moss isn’t always visually obvious in its early stages, but if you put some effort into roof cleaning, you’ll likely find that some has started to grow. This is especially true in wetter seasons, when moss grows on the roof so much more easily.

How do you remove moss from roof tiles?

We always stress that roof moss removal can be a tricky process, which is no doubt why we receive so many calls from people looking for professional roof moss removal in Liverpool. This is a smart move, since you can easily slip and hurt yourself, or damage roof tiles more than even the moss could manage!

If you do decide to remove the moss from your roof without a professional roof cleaner, don’t do it when it’s wet. Be sure to invest in high quality safety equipment. You will need a good moss removal solution to kill the roof moss, plus brushes and gutter tools that connect to extending poles, for better access to all areas of your roof. Even more important is to have someone help you so that you are less likely to fall. Just in case you do, help will be at hand.

Although there are many ways to remove moss from a roof, it will be difficult to do the job as well as a professional, experienced roofing company. If you are looking for help to remove moss from your roof, contact our roofers in Liverpool today.