Moss is a plant organism that usually grows on trees, but they can also get into your concrete and roof shingles.
If your roof receives limited sunlight and is constantly exposed to water or damp conditions, then it can lead to the growth of moss. It may seem harmless at first but the more it grows, the more concerning it can get.
Whatever the case is, as soon as you see moss on your roof, you need to remove it immediately. Here are some potential issues to be aware of:
1. Dangers of Moisture
When excess moss growth causes moisture to remain trapped on a roof, the shingles themselves can weaken and rot over time. If you ignore the moss on your roof for years at a time, you may significantly shorten the lifespan of your roof. The moisture actually softens the porous material, leaving it with a much higher vulnerability to elements like rain and wind. Source: ehow
2. Mold
When moss grows abundantly, it becomes a heavy blanket on top of your roof that retains water and moisture and leads to rot, bacteria, and mold growth. While not a notable concern for your health, this growth can shorten your roof’s lifespan significantly. Roof mold also is an invitation to rodents and critters who feed off the mold and roofing materials.
3. Holes
Moss can also creep underneath your shingles, tiles, and slates, uprooting them from your roof and causing immense damage. This uprooting can lead to holes, leakage, and your roof’s structural degeneration. Even worse, when you do remove the moss from your roof, tiles will then fall back awkwardly after losing the moss structure that once held it up. Source: Clean Break
4. Pests
A lot of rodents, insects, and critters get attracted when you have moss above the roof. So, while you’re already dealing with the nuisance of the unsightly appearance of your roof, now you’re left with another frustration of pest infestation, that’s hard to eliminate.
5. Curb appeal
Not all homeowners like the charming fairy tale look straight out of the enchanted forest. So, if you’re looking to sell your home, moss alone can be a major red flag for picky home buyers and home inspectors.
6. Inspection of a roof under moss is dangerous
Moss is pretty slick and slippery – especially when combined with algae or lichen. So, if you want to take a closer look at the moss, don’t try walking on the roof as you can fall and get yourself hurt seriously. Source: CKG Contractors
Getting professional help is probably the best action that you can take for this because they could even prevent the moss problem from coming back. If you want to take this route, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
