Moss is a type of plant that doesn’t have any roots, which is why it’s considered non-vascular. Moss absorbs plenty of water and sticks to your roof, which can be highly damaging for your roof. Since it doesn’t have any root structure, it doesn’t grow upward. Instead, it sticks like a gunk.
Some people purposely let moss grow on their roofs to give an edgy, rustic look. However, it isn’t recommended to let moss grow so much as it isn’t healthy for the roof’s health in the long run. The consequences of moss growing on your roof can be dangerous.
Let’s see how moss can affect your roof.
Mold Growth
When there’s plenty of moss on your roof, it acts like a blanket that covers the entire roof. It eventually takes over each layer of the roof, which will probably result in you getting a new roof shortly. When the moss retains much water and moisture, it produces bacteria on the roof while rotting every corner. This is combined with plenty of mold growth, too, along with the bacteria. When mold grows on the roof, it becomes a feast for rodents and other insects which feed off such material.
Holes
Your roof will suffer a structural degeneration when plenty of moss creeps under the tiles and shingles of your roof. This can cause your roof to uproot and experience enormous damage, which won’t serve well for your roof’s long-term health. The uprooting can further cause your roof to develop holes, which results in massive leakage. Removing excessive moss won’t help much, as your roof’s tiles will start falling off with the moss. So, you should try your best not to grow any moss in the first place.
Chemical Damages
When moss piles up, most people’s instinct is to remove it with cleaning products. This isn’t the most incredible idea, as many cleaning agents have ingredients that worsen the damage when mixed with moss. Hence, removing moss from any cleaning agent isn’t recommended as it’ll lead to unfavorable outcomes like lead washing for your roof. To avoid such a situation, you should always hire professional roof cleaners to remove any moss piled up and not unnecessary cleaning products.
Structural Damage
Many people mistake walking up to their roofs to remove moss themselves. However, they don’t realize the extent of structural damage the moss has already caused. When a roof undergoes massive damage to its structure, tiles and shingles will begin to break. In that situation, when a person climbs the roof, they can put themselves at risk since the roof can break at any time. Structural damage to the roof can be hazardous for the whole house as it will come crashing down at any minute.
Conclusion
Excessive moss growth can be tricky to get rid of, and you would most certainly need the help of a professional roof cleaner. It’s also wise to have your roof inspected every few weeks to ensure everything’s in order and there isn’t any excessive moss growth. Once you’re on top of your roof maintenance, you’ll have a pretty healthy roof for years to come.
