Frankly speaking, moss doesn’t really do any damage to your roof structure. But, it can be quite the eyesore, which is why most people tend to have moss removed right away. In addition, while moss doesn’t have any direct effect on the roof, it does retain plenty of moisture, which could lead to other complications requiring roof repair. Moss is bad, and you don’t want it growing on your roof.
What Is Moss?
Most people just lump all green organisms growing on roofs as moss, but there are a variety of species, including lichen and algae. The only difference is that moss and algae are plants while lichen is a fungus. These growths prefer areas with high humidity and relatively low amounts of sunlight, and because of their water-retention tendencies, they can cause moisture-related damage to your roof.
How to Prevent Moss Growth
As the old saying goes, a rolling stone gathers no moss. In this case, the rolling stone would pertain to a well-maintained roof. Roofing by Curry offers regular roof maintenance packages that can help prevent unwanted moss growth on your roof.
Here are a few tips on moss prevention:
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Moss prefers relatively shady areas. Overhanging branches and the shade that they create on your roof provide the perfect spot for moss to grow. If you are able, trim tree branches or other sources of shade on your roof. Direct sunlight is often enough to dry out any existing moss and discourage future growth.
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Zinc in galvanized metals is an effective moss retardant. A strip of zinc or galvanized flashing nailed to the ridge cap should deter moss from appearing. Ask our roofing contractors from Roofing by Curry if they can add a strip of galvanized flashing to prevent moss growth.
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Regularly keep your roof free of any debris. Tree branches, leaves and other materials have a tendency to hold water and act as a source of nutrition for unwanted moss and algae to grow.
Clearing Up Existing Growth
Moss is easily scraped off with a stiff-bristled brush, but we strongly discourage people to go up on their roofs to do it themselves because of safety reasons. A professional contractor will have the proper safety equipment for working on your roof, in addition to the correct brushing equipment that can remove the moss without damaging your roof.
With over 30 years of experience, Roofing by Curry is one of the best roofing companies you can find. Call us at (941) 270-4770, and ask us about our roof maintenance services today. We work with homeowners in Sarasota and nearby communities.
