How To Remove Moss From Slate Roof

Lichen can be a tough growth to remove due to the symbiotic relationship between the fungus and algae.

How to remove moss from slate roof.

If the water will not reach the peak of the roof from the ground you can spray while standing on a ladder. If you want to clean moss off a roof yourself you will have to plan how you are going to kill the moss and remove it effectively. That way whenever it rains some of the metal molecules will wash down the roof and kill any algae trying to regain a foothold on your shingles. Moss itself is a plant while lichen conisist of a fungus and a photosyntheizing plant living together.

Many people try to remove lichen by brushing and scraping it off with abrasive tools. While you might be tempted to reach for a strong chemical or a pressure washer it s better to leave them behind and give your slate roof a little tender loving care. Regular cleaning is an important part of keeping a slate roof in working order. Liquid moss killers cover the roof more evenly than dry powders and they let you stay on the ground for the application.

Even so you will always need to mount the roof later on in order to remove the dead moss. Because moss reproduces when its spores are blown in the wind it can end up on any. Moss growing under roof slate and tiles can push the slate out of position allowing rainwater to seep into the roof structure. Mosses are tiny soft plants that grow together in mats or clumps.

Moss retains moisture which could pose a problem for wood shingles where rotting and decay could occur. Home remedy to kill moss on pavement quickly. Hose off and brush all moss loose from your roof shingles. Experts recommend that you save roof moss removal for a cloudy day.

Homemade moss killer for roofs. You can remove moss and lichens from your roof by using vinegar as a environmentally friendly weedkiller. However you can quickly fix the issue with this homemade moss killer for roofs. Moss can be removed physically with water and a stiff brush on a pole or a scrub brush chemically or a bit of both.

When leaves and other material collect on your roof a perfect bed is formed for moss and lichens to grow. Debris and moss buildup hold moisture in the slates that can split them during winter freezes. To keep the algae from coming back insert 6 inch wide strips of zinc or copper under the row of shingling closest to the roof peak leaving an inch or two of the lower edge exposed to the weather. When rain finds its way into the roofing structure that s when decay and rot sets in.

While moss is typically not harmful it could cause minor damage to a roof.