Effective Asphalt Shingle Moss Removal

Asphalt Shingle Moss Removal

In order to effectively eliminate the occurrence of moss in your roof, it is important to first understand what moss are and what causes these substances.

People often mistakenly interchange moss from algae. While these two organisms may share a couple of similar living environments and are both non-vascular plants, moss and algae are actually two distinct species with various different characteristics.

Moss belongs to a higher group of plants that are primarily characterized by their water conducting tissues. Unlike most plants, mosses have thin root-like cells called "rhizoids." Mosses are often characterized as clumpy green plants that can cause moisture damage on the exterior surface of your roof. Furthermore, these organisms can also degrade any surface of your roofing material, as it eventually shortens its overall lifespan.
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Algae on the other hand, are the visible black-green discoloration that are often present in the roofs of different countries such as Canada and the United States. These discolorations often start as small dark patches, then eventually transform into widespread streaks on the surface of your roof after some period of time.

Unlike algae, the occurrence of moss can be harmful to the exterior surface of your asphalt shingle.

​The edges of your asphalt may be curled or lifted, which can make your roof vulnerable to strong winds events. In other cases that involve severe moss build-up, moisture damage that has occurred on the roof deck may lead to the risk of wood rot and water leaks.
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How To Remove Moss From Asphalt Shingles

Materials and tools that you'll be needing:

• Water
• Safety rope
• Spray bottle
• Garden hose
• Rubber gloves
• Chlorine bleach
• Extension ladder
• Soft-bristle brush

The best perceivable way to remove moss from your asphalt shingles is to mix a 50:50 ratio of water and chlorine bleach in a spray-type container.

​This solution should be sprayed and gently scrubbed using a soft-bristle brush on the exterior surface of your asphalt shingles for 15-20 minutes before you rinse it thoroughly with water. It is important to be extra careful in scrubbing the mixture on the surface of your roof, make sure that you do not pound, scour, or scrape the surface of the asphalt shingles.

In rinsing your asphalt shingles, it is important to be mindful of the water pressure, since high pressure water can bring more harm than good to the finish of your asphalt shingles.

​High pressured water can remove the sandy granules on the surface of your roof deck, which will lead to an inefficient roof system. So it is advisable to use a garden hose instead of a high pressure one.

Here are some alternative D.I.Y. moss removal options:

• water + oxygen bleach
• water + distilled vinegar
• water + dish washing soap

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Whichever moss removal option you choose, it is important to wet the exterior surface of your roof deck first before you begin with the application of your D.I.Y. moss removal solution on your asphalt shingles.

​You may also want to trim nearby trees, in order to allow the sun to directly reach the surface of your roof--which is very helpful for moss prevention.