Should I Be Worried About Moss?

If your roof, or at least a section of it, is shaded and does not get a lot of sunlight, you may notice moss starting to grow. A common question to ask when moss is growing on a roof is, will it cause any damage? Should you remove it?

The first thing you need to think about is the materials used to construct your roof. Stone or clay shingles would not be adversely affected by moss. However, moss does retain a lot of water, and this can become a problem over time, affecting the roofs’ structure.

Another thing that should determine whether to remove the moss from your roof is where it is growing. Is it growing inside your gutters and downspouts? If so, you would want to remove it to prevent clogging. If water cannot drain properly away from the house, it can lead to moisture intrusion and structural damage.

Before going ahead and removing moss from the roof, take a little time to research the best way of doing so based on the materials used on your roof. It may seem like a straightforward task, but some cleaning methods could do more damage to your roof than the moss itself. It may also be a good time to have your roof inspected to see if moss has done any damage or whether its removal is even necessary.