How To Remove Moss From Roofing Shingles [Step-By-Step]

Both thin layers of moss on top of your house may appear aesthetic and bucolic. It might reduce the lifespan of your roof.

Moss may absorb and store moisture for a long period, causing shingles to deteriorate and eventually allowing leaks to occur. So, every house owner needs to know how to remove moss from roofing shingles.

Getting rid of moss can be a relatively simple job that you may do on an annual or when it is needed to be done to keep your roof waterproof and stunning. But you should be careful and follow the step-by-step guidelines to avoid damaging your roof.

Check this article to complete your project.

How To Remove Moss From Roofing Shingles: step by step instructions

Whenever green moss grows on the roof, you should remove it before it turns bad enough to affect the roof’s functionality. Moss can be tenacious. So, it is difficult to pull it by hand in most cases. Climbing on the top to pluck moss, however, is not advised. This can damage your roof.

The chemical solution comes in handy to solve the situation without ruining the arrangement of the shingles. Before beginning the removal process, you should be aware of the necessary items and take appropriate safety precautions. Then, following the instructions one-by-one will lead to your achievement.

Required Materials:

The following materials will be required for the project

1. A chlorine-based cleanser or  moss-specific cleaner
2. Water
3. Deck sprayer
4. A roll of zinc/copper/lead

Safety Equipment

1. A sturdy extension ladder
2. Roof brackets
3. A safety harness
4. Gloves
5. Dust Mask

The following part will go over the technique in detail.

Step One:

Examine the roof area first, start with the mossiest region. Set your ladder safely near the area and put on slip-resistant shoes, gloves, and protective goggles. It is necessary to protect yourself from any kind of injury, you must have a safety harness and roof brackets.

Step Two: 

You should divide the roof area into smaller portions to do the job fast. Rinse down the area at a lower setting using water. Damping the roof before applying cleanser helps the moss to loosen up quickly.

At this stage, you might notice some moss coming off manually But remember, plucking the moss is not recommended.

Step Three:

There is a range of cleaning treatments available in stores and there are homemade ones as well. Both of the moss killer remedies work great when it comes to getting the work done. For using commercial cleaning, read the instructions properly and follow them strictly. You can DIY your homemade moss remover and store them in a big sprayer. Some of the remedies are: 

1. Vinegar ( 1 tablespoon), salt (1 pound), 20% soap, and water (1 gallon)
2. Baking soda (3 tablespoons),  warm water (1 quart)
3. 50-50 mixture chlorine bleach and water
4. White distilled vinegar (1½ – 3½ cups), water ( 2 gallons)
5. Iron sulfate (3 ounces), water (5 gallons)
6. Oxygen bleach (½ cup ), arm water (4 gallons)

You can select any of these remedies based on your preferences and stock availability.

Step Four:

You can apply a cleanser to the dampen wall. For a commercial cleanser, follow the instructions for how long to leave it on the roof. For a homemade cleanser, keep it for 20-45minutes. Then you can scrub the moss off with a really soft scrub brush.

Try not to crack the shingles. You can brush gently from top to bottom without lifting tiles. Avoid any kind of scraping, or beating while cleaning. Rinse the roof using water after scrubbing is done.

Step Five:

You can dispose of the mosses in a garbage bag. You don’t want them to fall to the ground since they’re coated in chemicals like bleach, which might hurt your plants. You should spray your plants before and after the bleaching to rinse off any harmful substances from them.

Step Six:

Cleanser and scrubbing can remove the mosses from the roof. We use this process for annual or as need-basis cleaning. Alongside this, you might want a permanent solution to get rid of the moss. Installing a roll of zinc or copper or lead-coated sheet will do the job.

Among these, three metals lead and copper are more adverse for any sort of moss growth whereas zinc is cheaper. Whenever it’s pouring, the metal-coated roll will oxidize and rinsing the shingles, making it far less livable for the moss.

Step Seven:

Place the sheet beneath the top shingles of the shed and measure and trim it to fit the length of the shed. Slide the sheet beneath the shingles. Try to leave the strip as exposed as possible, the standard is to cover ⅔  and secure it with a roofing nail and roofing cement to conceal the nail.

Thing To Avoid:

There are many methods to treat moss infection. Some of them may be efficient at removing moss, but they may be detrimental to the roof’s wellbeing.

1. Harsh Scrubbing: Because moss clings to shingles so tightly, you might be inclined to scrape it. Scrubbing this firm moss can deteriorate the shingles and lose their particles.
2. Pressure washing: The water pressure in a pressure washer is quite powerful and capable of weakening the shingle’s glue. As an outcome, the arrangement of shingles disrupts. This will cause them to lose their efficiency and color. Furthermore, this can result in a huge leakage on the roof, causing damage to your structure.
3. Using harsh chemicals: Chemicals with high concentrations can permanently ruin shingles, increasing the chance of leakage. These substances can also be harmful to one’s health. As a result, it’s preferable to dilute them with water before spraying.

Verdict

I believe you’ve grasped the steps of how to remove moss from roofing shingles. So, stick to the step-by-step instructions and complete your project. Make sure a pressure spray isn’t aimed directly under or at the shingles.

Using any kind of harmful method is not recommended. Make sure you don’t skip any steps. It will be a hassle afterward if you skip any phases. Ensure you are taking safety measures properly.

Be safe and all the best.