Frequently Asked Questions About Moss Proofing

Moss does not only grow on the north side of trees, and homes. Moss will grow anywhere that there is an adequate of moisture, and sunlight. (Or lack thereof)

Moss likes to grow in shady moist conditions where the temperature is over freezing, and under 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When it gets warmer moss becomes dormant, but may not die.

Moss does not have roots so it needs running water to survive. (Like on roofs) Since it does not have roots it can grow on anything. Asphalt, wood, we even see it grow on glass, and metal roofs. In the Pacific Northwest tree debris, and even pollen that collect on the roof can create a dam that moss can grow on.

So if you aren’t supposed to pressure wash what should you do?

Common roof cleaning methods include:

• Pressure Washing: Suitable for certain types of roofs, but can damage shingles if not done correctly.
• Soft Washing: Uses a lower pressure and a high volume of water with a mixture of cleaning solutions to remove growths without damaging the roof.
• Chemical Cleaning: Involves applying chemicals designed to kill moss, algae, and lichen without the need for high-pressure washing.
• Moss Cleanup/Proofing: To clean a roof with moss, it’s often recommended to apply a moss-killing product and then gently remove the dead moss by brushing or low-pressure washing, followed by preventive treatments to inhibit future growth.

The key to dealing with moss is being proactive. In the Pacific Northwest we are truly blessed by our clean environment (Crucial for moss growth) and beautiful large evergreen trees. And some people say it rains around here once in a while.

Unfortunately the combination of these things make for perfect fungus and moss growth conditions.

So what can you do? Depending on your circumstance, and environmental consciousness here are a few suggestions.

1. Remove any foliage or structures that might be shading an area to the point that sun rarely or never hits it.
2. Keep the roof free from decaying organic material. I.E. Leaves, Needles, Pine Cones etc. Depending on the volume, if you are like most Northwestern Homeowners a minimum of a fall cleaning and a spring cleaning is necessary.
3. Keep the Fungus off of the roof. Fungus and algae grow on everything in the Northwest as well. It is easily treated, and needs to be stayed on top of.

Moss on a roof is usually quite visible, appearing as green, fuzzy patches that thrive in damp, shaded areas. Moss holds moisture against the roof surface like a sponge and roots in the granules, which can damage the roofing materials over time.