Removing moss from rooftop tiles and slates

 

A common question many of our customers at Bromsgrove Roofing Supplies ltd are asked by their clients is if they can remove the moss from their roof tiles or slates.

To the inexperienced, removing moss from a roof may seem a very simple job, however reality is that moss removal can often more damage if done wrong.

 

What causes moss to grow on tiles and slates and what problems can it cause?

To deal with moss on a roof, first we need to understand what caused moss of a roof and the issues it may cause.

Moss and algae likes to grow anywhere which is damp and shaded, making rooftops and gutters the ideal place to thrive. The moss that grows on rooftops can then cause damage to the tiles or slates by both retaining water, causing roofing materials to rot, or even causing trapped water to freeze in cold weather and expand, resulting in damage to the tiles or slates, making them move, slip or even break. Moss can even grow into the tiles or slates themselves, making them damaged and weak.

With excessive damage to tiles or slates as a result of constant moss damage, removing moss from a rooftop can dangerous job, which should only be handled by a professional.

 

How not to remove moss

We often are asked at Bromsgrove Roofing Supplies ltd how to approach removing moss from a rooftop, and there are many misconceptions about the best approach this particular job. Here are some of the questions we are asked below:

 

Question: Can I use a pressure washer to remove the moss?

Answer: No. A pressure washer will only further damage the rooftop and tiles or slates as it is too abrasive.

 

Question: Can I use cleaners or chemicals to remove the moss?

Answer: We wouldn’t recommend it. There are many products on the market that claim to remove moss from tiles and slates, however in our experience, moss will often grow into the tiles or slates, and using harsh chemicals and cleaners on a tile or slate surface will only aim to remove the protective coating from the roof tiles or slates, making them weaker and more susceptible to further moss damage. Moss removing chemicals can also be damaging to the environment, potentially harming both plants and animals.

 

Solutions and options 

Although moss may now appear to be a never-ending issue, there are some solutions and options we here at Bromsgrove Roofing Supplies ltd can suggest removing or reduce a rooftop moss issue.

Brush or scrape the moss from the tiles or slates – Using a scrubbing brush, you can gently brush moss from roof tiles or slates to reduce damage to them. You can even use a shovel to scrape the moss from the tiles or slates. This option would require regular treatments to ensure the moss does not mount up, which may seem inconvenient to a client, however will save money in the long run.

Re-roof – If a roof is too far gone with moss to simply be brushed away, and the damage has already been done to the tiles or slates, a re-roof may be the only option to remove all the moss from the rooftop.

Leave the moss alone – It may seem an unusual option, however if a roof is too far gone to simply brush the moss away, yet your client cannot afford a complete re-roof at this particular time, the best option would be to leave the moss alone. Although it may be tempting to pressure wash the tiles or slates or put a treatment on it, it may cause far more damage to the overall roof than to simply leave it alone, resulting further issues such as leaks.

 

Tools for the job

To attempt to remove moss from a rooftop, you need the correct tools and equipment to do the job safely and effectively. Here at Bromsgrove Roofing Supplies ltd, we stock everything you need to do the job right. Contact us today to see how we can help with you!

Tel: 01527 864944

Email: bromsgrove@kidderminsterroofing.com

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