Have you recently noticed some moss growing on your roof? If so, you may be wondering whether to remove it or simply leave it. After all, it looks harmless enough, right? Wrong.
Washing off moss forms a significant part of the roof cleaning Melbourne locals are having done every season. If you think the moss on your roof is harmless, you may be in for a nasty shock when your roofer tells you that your water leak or mould growth on the inside of the house is a direct result of the moss overgrowth.
Roof Moss Defined
Roof moss is a type of compressed plant growth that thrives on roofs where water and moisture aren’t able to evaporate and drain away. This variant of moss is typically green and can be found between the shingles, slats, or tiles on your roof. Homes that are primarily in shady areas are more at risk because they don’t get enough sun exposure to dry out excess rainwater and moisture.
A Critical Part of Roof Maintenance
You may not be thinking much of the moss forming on your roof. However, it’s important to note that the moss you’re ignoring may be the cause of damaged roof components and may also be causing and mould growth you’ve seen in your home. We’ve drawn up a list of the top ways that your home will benefit from having the moss removed.
1. Removal Prevents Potential Water Damage
You may not know that the primary reason your roofer will always remove moss is that if left to grow, it will lift the shingles or tiles. As moss grows, it will widen and lift more of the roof components.
When this happens, rainwater seeps in, and the roof will start leaking inward into the ceiling.
This leads to further damage and also the development of mould and mildew. Having your roof professionally cleaned is considerably cheaper than repairing loose tiles and shingles and dealing with the subsequent water damage. This makes it more sensible to add roof cleaning and de-mossing to your annual roof maintenance tasks.
2. Can Improve Rain Flow off the Roof
Your home roof has been designed with a significant slope that allows water to run directly off. This design is supposed to make it less likely for water to pool. When you leave moss to grow freely on your roof, it obstructs the slope and where the roof lines up with the gutter.
This then leads to water getting backed up before it reaches the downward part of your roof. Since the moss absorbs the water, it may not be that obvious when you’re looking at it from the ground. However, the moss is actually enabling water to seep in under the tiles, shingles, or slats.
3. Keeps it Out of the Gutters
For the most part, moss rests on the roof or latches onto the underside of shingles or tiles. Some loose pieces of moss can easily get washed into your gutters and downpipes. This can lead to or contribute to blocked gutters.
Untreated blockages can seep into your exterior walls, foundations, rooftop, and fascia boards. Clogged gutters can also get heavy and start tearing away from the roof or wall where they’re connected. Pooled water can also cause the gutters to corrode and rust.
4. Eliminate the Risk of Frozen Moss
Believe it or not, but moss can get cold enough to freeze. In some areas, the temperatures can get so cold that roofing materials can freeze. Experts suggest that in these cases, the moss can expand by up to 10%. This adds to the weight of the already heavy moss and can easily turn smaller cracks into bigger, gaping holes.
5. Removes the Added Weight Of Wet Moss
Moss is essentially just a plant, which means it’s not all that heavy when it’s dry. However, when it’s drenched after an afternoon of rainfall, it can hold up to 20 times its dry weight in water. That means wet moss is considerably heavier. Imagine the weight of a very large patch of moss resting on your roof. If you have an older, weaker roof, this weight can cause considerable damage.
6. Improves Your Roof’s Look
Taking the time to clear moss off your roof will also make a neglected roof look as good as new. You or your roofer will then easily be able to see if there are any damages, water leaks or blockages that need to be addressed. When your roof is clear of moss and other debris, it’s also easier for moisture to evaporate and in reduces the likelihood of water pooling.
Final Thoughts
While moss may be good for your garden, it’s not ideal for your roof space. Moss, overgrown lichen, mould, and other forms of bacteria can contribute to damaged roof components and can even cause moisture and water damage.
Avoid having to deal with this by hiring your local roofer for an assessment and roof cleaning. Keeping moss off your roof has never been simpler!
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