How To Remove Moss from the Roof in Manchester, CT

Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

Seeing a tiny woodcutter’s cottage with a green, moss-covered roof might make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. Although in the real world, a moss-covered roof is more of a nightmare than a fantasy. If you notice moss growth on your roof, immediately search for “roof repair contractor near me” to prevent serious roof damage. 

If unchecked, clumping vegetation can significantly reduce the lifespan of any roofing material, including the most common wood and asphalt, metal, clay, and concrete.

Steps in Removing Moss From Roof Tiles in Manchester, CT

When moss grows on a roof, it lifts the shingles and creates gaps through which water can seep. This could result in wood rot and water damage.   The good thing is that removing moss is a simple task that can be performed seasonally or as needed to keep your roof waterproof and to look great. Follow these straightforward moss-removal tips from expert roofers.

What You’ll Need:

  • Safety goggles
  • Safety rope
  • Rubber gloves
  • Work clothes, a cap to keep hair out of the way, and anti-slip shoes.
  • Garden hose equipped with a spray nozzle
  • Ladder
  • Moss-remover of choice
  • Long-handled soft-bristle brush

STEP 1: Using Hose and Brush

Set up a ladder cautiously near the moss growth area and use your protective gear, such as slip-resistant shoes, work clothes, protective gloves, and goggles. And remember your safety ropes.

Remove all debris from the area by spraying plain water downward from a hose. Then, working from the apex to the eaves, scrub the roof down with a long-handled, soft-bristled scrub brush to remove the moss without lifting the shingles. To prevent the shingles from being ripped, cracked, or broken, continue to rub gently rather than scraping or scouring the roof, and focus on a small area at a time.

Roofing contractors don’t recommend using a pressure washer on your asphalt roof. Shingles can be harmed by high-pressure water jets, and the protective granules they contain can be washed away.

STEP 2: Using Cleaning Solutions

If a simple scrub isn’t enough to eliminate your moss problem, you can choose from a wide range of commercial cleaning solutions or DIY roof moss-killer recipes. To prevent the cleaning solution from evaporating too quickly, you should wait for a cloudy day before heading out onto the roof.

Suppose you want to protect your plants from the chemicals in commercial or homemade spray cleaners or if you want to avoid staining your deck or walkway. In that case, it’s a good idea to lay down a plastic drop sheet first.

Whichever type of cleaning solution you choose, remember to use the product as directed by the manufacturer; some cleansers must be rinsed off, while others should be left on.

You can also make a DIY moss remover in a spray bottle using one of these four recipes with ingredients you can usually find in your home:

  • 1 pound of oxygen bleach + 10 liters of clean water
  • 1 cup of dish soap + 10 liters of clean water
  • 1 to 4 cups white vinegar + 10 liters of clean water
  • 1 to 4 cups chlorine bleach + 10 liters of clean water

Before using any homemade cleaners, dampen the roof thoroughly with water. After applying the cleanser, let it sit for twenty to forty minutes. Scrub it with a bristle-free brush, then wash and rinse the roof thoroughly.

STEP 3: Moss Prevention in Manchester, CT

To prevent moss from growing back, install strips of zinc or copper-coated metal sheet along the roof’s edges, right below the ridge.  Sheet metal comes in rolls sliced into 2- to 4-inch-wide strips. Use roofing screws or nails with a rubber washer to fasten the strips to the roof.

Natural sunlight is an effective moss preventative, so consider trimming tree branches that overhang the roof. 

Looking for the Best Roof Repair Contractor Near Me?

If you need a roof repair contractor near you to remove moss from your roof, call no other than the Roofing Contractor of Manchester. They are the local’s number one choice among the roofing companies in Manchester, CT. They are equipped with the tools and skills to remove the unsightly moss from your roof and ensure it will never come back.

Roofing Contractor of Manchester

17 Jackson St, Manchester, CT 06040, United States

Phone Number: +18608912597