Treating Moss Growth on Roofs for Homeowners in Oklahoma

A mossy roof may make your home look like it has jumped straight out of a fairytale but in actuality, moss growing on your roof is more of a nightmare than a fantasy. Moss starts growing as a thin green layer atop your shingles, gradually it grows into a thick carpet lifting the shingles up in the process. If the moss is left to its own devices, it can soon give rise to wood rot and moisture intrusion.

Treating a Mossy Roof

Step 1 – Hose or gently scrub the moss loose

First hose the moss growth on the roof with plain water. Make sure to use minimal water pressure and spray at a downward angle. Once wet, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub at the moss. Maintain pressure but do not scrape or scour lest you harm the underlying shingles. Work in small sections and work gently. Under no circumstances should you use a pressure washer or high-powered water jets. They can cause granule loss in the roof.

Step 2 – Apply the Cleaning Solution

Head to the store and get a commercial moss cleaning solution. Since you don’t want the cleaner to evaporate too quickly, wait a couple of days for enough cloud cover. When you use a commercial cleaner make sure to go through the instructions properly, some companies suggest leaving the solution on while others may require you to rinse it off.

You can also make your own homemade moss cleaner with dish wash or bleach. Do note that these cleaners may sometimes discolor sidings. You should also keep them away from sensitive vegetation.

Step 3 – Install strips of zinc and copper

You can prevent the moss from returning by using strips of zinc or copper-coated sheet metal installed onto your roof. The metal should go just below the top ridges on the sides of the roof. Hire a roofing contractor to screw on the strip on the roof.

What to Keep in Mind When Removing Moss?

• A lot of homeowners attempt to clean the moss by themselves to save the extra bucks. But do not forget that working on a roof requires equipment and specialized training. If you are not confident in your abilities or you don’t have access to the safety harness, it is best that you call in roofing contractors to help clean your roof.

• At the same time, you should also keep note of which cleaning ingredients can cause damage to your roofing. What’s worse you may not always be able to visibly detect the harm. Letting it fester is going to snowball into much worse roofing problems.

• If you have a terrace garden, make sure the cleaning solutions don’t kill your plants. In fact, when you store them in your house, take extra care to keep them away from kids and pets.

Reach Out to All American Roofing 

We, at All American Roofing, offer high-quality but affordable roofing solutions for residential and commercial clients. We understand that your home is your biggest investment and we provide the best means to take care of it. Request a consultation with us to know more about our services.