Tag Archives: moss

Get moss off of your roof!

Close-up of a moss covered tin roofMoss growth on roof surfaces should be discouraged. I see it all the time when inspecting homes in the Pacific Northwest and call it out on most Home Inspection Reports. The effects of moss on roofs can be devastating, even after a relatively short period of time and allowing it to grow can be an expensive mistake. In fact, most insurance companies will require the removal of moss from roofs.

The problem is that moss will attack and can ruin a composition roof. It can also create dams, causing water to run sideways under your shingles causing a leak. Another issue is that moss can grow under the bottom edge of your shingles thereby pushing the shingles upward, breaking their seals, and rendering the roof more vulnerable to wind damage and wind driven rain. Moss also soaks up water and keeps your roof wet; and, as we all know when most things stay wet for a long period of time, they eventually break down.

Moss has root-like structures called rhizomes which are sent out and embedded into the roofing materials to anchor the moss to the roof. These rhizomes, or roots, supply nutrients for moss (similar to tree roots), but in so anchoring to the roof surface they dislodge the protective granules from the roof surface and expose the roof to further attack by more moss! Left completely unchecked, moss can penetrate all the way through the roofing materials , deteriorating the shingles and obviously rendering the roof surface very vulnerable to leaks.

Moss should be removed quickly before it overtakes your roof to extend the useful life of your roof coverings. Here’s a YouTube Video I created addressing why moss should be removed from your roof surfaces. Please watch the video, Like It, and share or re-blog at will!

MOSS ATTACK!

Should you worry about moss growth on your wood deck/railing systems?  This is a fairly common occurrence in homes with older deck systems.  

As it turns out, moss creates an environment conducive to elevated moisture conditions that could lead to deterioration over time.  It may look pretty, but looks can be deceiving!  Underneath moss growth that has been left alone for some time you just might find rotten wood…Yikes!  Moss growth should be removed to safeguard against water intrusion/damage into the future, and to avoid bids to repair/replace your deck system.  

Check out this link for more information on what to do when you see moss/organic growth on your deck/railing system: Removing Moss & Algae from Your Deck | Decks.com by Trex

STANDALONE SATURDAYS: MOSS-COVERED HILLS & ISLAND VIEWS

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Don’t pressure wash your roof!

Exposed fiberglass underlayment and granular loss were noted at a recent home inspection in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island.  This was likely caused by someone pressure washing moss off the roof system.  The issue is that moss has rhizomes, or roots, that imbed into the roof coverings.  When mechanically removed, they take with them the asphalt and granules from the roof coverings, exposing the underlying fiberglass mat, and rendering the roof system compromised.  I strongly recommend against the practice of pressure washing as I’ve seen too many roofs destroyed by this practice.  Treating your roof on a semi-annual basis with zinc granules is advised to help prevent moss growth.  If the growth is pronounced, treatment more often will help speed the process, but it will take time.  Personally, I like a perfect roof, so I treat my new roof four (4) times annually with zinc granules readily available at all hardware stores.  Some homeowners prefer Tide with bleach, others say baking soda works.  Treat, don’t pressure wash!

Get moss off your roof!

Moss growth on roof surfaces should be discouraged.  I see it all the time when inspecting homes in the Pacific Northwest and call it out on most Home Inspection Reports.  The effects of moss on roofs can be devastating, even after a relatively short period of time and allowing it to grow can be an expensive mistake.  In fact, most insurance companies will require the removal of moss from roofs.

The problem is that moss will attack and can ruin a composition roof.  It can also create dams, causing water to run sideways under your shingles causing a leak.  Another issue is that moss can grow under the bottom edge of your shingles thereby pushing the shingles upward, breaking their seals, and rendering the roof more vulnerable to wind damage and wind driven rain.  Moss also soaks up water and keeps your roof wet; and, as we all know when most things stay wet for a long period of time, they eventually break down.

Moss has root-like structures called rhizomes which are sent out and embedded into the roofing materials to anchor the moss to the roof.  These rhizomes, or roots, supply nutrients for moss (similar to tree roots), but in so anchoring to the roof surface they dislodge the protective granules from the roof surface  and expose the roof to further attack by more moss!  Left completely unchecked, moss can penetrate all the way through the roofing materials , deteriorating the shingles and obviously rendering the roof surface very vulnerable to leaks.

Moss should be removed quickly before it overtakes your roof to extend the useful life of your roof coverings.   Here’s a YouTube Video I created addressing why moss should be removed from your roof surfaces.  Please watch the video, Like It, and share or re-blog at will!

Get moss off your roof!

Moss growth on roof surfaces should be discouraged. I see it all the time when inspecting homes in the Pacific Northwest and call it out on most Home Inspection Reports. The effects of moss on roofs can be devastating, even after a relatively short period of time and allowing it to grow can be an expensive mistake. In fact, most insurance companies will require the removal of moss from roofs.

The problem is that moss will attack and can ruin a composition roof. It can also create dams, causing water to run sideways under your shingles causing a leak. Another issue is that moss can grow under the bottom edge of your shingles thereby pushing the shingles upward, breaking their seals, and rendering the roof more vulnerable to wind damage and wind driven rain. Moss also soaks up water and keeps your roof wet; and, as we all know when most things stay wet for a long period of time, they eventually break down.

Moss has root-like structures called rhizomes which are sent out and embedded into the roofing materials to anchor the moss to the roof. These rhizomes, or roots, supply nutrients for moss (similar to tree roots), but in so anchoring to the roof surface they dislodge the protective granules from the roof surface and expose the roof to further attack by more moss! Left completely unchecked, moss can penetrate all the way through the roofing materials , deteriorating the shingles and obviously rendering the roof surface very vulnerable to leaks.

Moss should be removed quickly before it overtakes your roof to extend the useful life of your roof coverings. Here’s a YouTube Video I created addressing why moss should be removed from your roof surfaces. Please watch the video, Like It, and share or re-blog at will!