Moss on Roof- A Wenatchee and Leavenworth Home Inspector

They say a “rolling stone never gathers no moss” in old English “The rollyng stone neuer gatherth mosse”.

But one thing we know is in the northwest roofs will gather moss and much of it if not kept in check. Moss is a mass of tiny plants called bryophytes.

There are many ways to approach this problem. One way is the use of zinc or copper strips, they will help. You want to install the strip under a row of shingles close to the roof peak leaving an inch or two exposed.
    
 

When it rains some of the metal will wash out onto the roof and will kill algae and moss. Now some moss may be harder to rid than others.
 

Another approach is the use of low-toxicity moss killers available. Remember whatever you put on your roof will end up downstream. There are two main types of moss killers, one type is based on soaps (potassium salts of fatty acids) and the other type is based on acids (citric and acetic acids).

Soap-based products may be a better product for roofs because acid-based products could cause damage to metallic surfaces and lighten surfaces such as wood, concrete and tile.

The next thing to do is to minimize the debris that can collect on a roof. Trees are beautiful and can bring benefits such as shade and cooling your house in summer. But trees can contribute to a large amount of debris on the roof. Trees should be trimmed to not overhang or touch the roof.

Keep your roof clean. Do not use a pressure washer!!! Sweep off plant debris such as leaves, needles, or small branches or use a garden/leaf blower. Gently brushing off the moss in the summertime when it is dry will help.

When you go to installing a new roof your home you may consider choosing zinc/copper impregnated composition shingles or better yet a metal roof.

Here is an example of a zinc impregnated shingles-

Remember moss will slowly cause your roof to deteriorate so keeping it off your roof will pay off in the long run.

“The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance."

Benjamin Franklin

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NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…