How to Remove Moss and mould from your roof.
How to Remove Moss and Mould from Your Roof
Moss and mould are unsightly additions to a roof, but they are more detrimental to your home than just being an eyesore.
Moss and mould are caused by the presence of moisture when there isn’t enough sunlight for the area to properly dry. Moss retains this moisture as it grows, which creates a weakness in your roof that can allow water to seep through.
When water penetrates the roof and enters your property, it can cause interior mould and damage to possessions and décor, as well as potentially causing rot that can damage the roofing structure, making it unsafe.
Here’s how to remove moss and mould from your roof.
Make sure your roof is safe to access
Before you begin any work on your roof, make sure it is safe to access. It is not a wise choice to try and access your roof on wet or icy days, or if you don’t have a sturdy ladder and someone to hold it. it always best to hire a professional, contact us roofers in tiverton
Avoid climbing/walking on the roof if possible
If the roof is safe to access, try to avoid climbing or walking on it if it is possible to reach the moss/mould without doing so. Even if you have a strong roof, they are not designed to be walked on and you could cause further damage.
Wear protective gloves
You will be using potentially harmful substances to clean your roof, so it is important to protect your hands. Even if you are only using a mild substance, there could be other debris or rough surfaces on the roof that could cause harm.
Wash the roof down with a hose
Start the moss removal process by washing the roof down with a hose. Start at the top of the roof so that the water runs down and off the roof.
Start to scrub away the moss with a soft bristle brush
Once you have sprayed the moss growth, use a soft bristle brush, preferably long-handled, to scrape away at the moss and remove it from the roof. Using a soft bristle brush is important so that the scrubbing doesn’t damage the roofing material. this is the most common mistake made by home owners. it very important to be gentle with a roof and not use pressure washers etc. explained by roofers in devon
Use a moss-specific cleaner that doesn’t contain bleach
While you can scrape away moss without using a cleaning solution, it will help to prevent it from regrowing if you treat the roof with a moss-specific cleaner first. Find a solution that doesn’t contain bleach, especially if your roof material is porous. If you don’t have a moss-specific cleaner, you can also make your own cleaner of mild detergent, or dish soap, with water in a spray bottle.
Use a hose to wash down the roof afterwards
Once you have removed all the moss, you will need to wash the roof down to get rid of any remaining moss pieces and cleaning solution. It’s best to do this with a hose and start at the top of the roof, working your way down. Scrub away any remaining dead moss with the brush as you wash down the roof.
Do not use a pressure washer
It is best not to use a pressure washer at any point in this process, as it can damage your roofing material, especially if you have any missing or damaged tiles.
Prevent moss and mould from returning -
explained by roofers in Devon
If your roof has any overhanging trees or areas of shade, this will invite moss growth, so you will want to cut these back if possible to allow sunlight to reach all areas of the roof. You will also want to keep an eye on your gutters and clear them regularly to prevent a build-up of debris that can absorb moisture and cause problems with moss in the future.
That concludes our guide on how to remove moss from your roof. Always be careful when carrying out any work on your roof and, if you are at all unsure, don’t hesitate to contact a roofing professional to carry out the work.
