Is Cottagecore Doing Hardcore Damage To Your Home?
Do you love cottagecore? If so, you probably like the way moss looks on your roof. It makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale. But, there is a dark secret behind the aesthetic. Moss can damage your roof in several ways that will cause leaks and damage to your home. This blog will explain what moss is, why it’s so harmful, and the various ways to get rid of it.
What is Moss?
Moss is a plant in the Bryophyta division. PlantSnap.com explains that these plants are spore-producing nonvascular organisms. No vascular system means the plant doesn’t grow upright. It stays low to prevent drying out. Instead of soaking up the water and nutrients with roots, it absorbs the water and nutrients it needs.
Moss is a decomposer. It is so good at its job moss is one of the few things that can decompose rock. It can do this because moss doesn’t have a root system. It is therefore capable of growing into the very surface it grows on.
Moss grows in environments that are moist and heavily shaded. This allows them to absorb and retain the maximum amount of nutrients and moisture. Does this environment sound familiar to you? Just think of the north-facing section of your roof. If you have moss on your roof, that’s the most likely place you’ll find it.
algae growing on the roof. The owner said she
liked the look of it but didn't realize the
damage it was doing until it was already too late.
How is Moss Damaging Your Roof?
Your roof is a flat surface made of partially organic materials. If you add the shade of a tree and a bit of moisture, you've created the perfect environment for moss. This presents a problem because like rock and stone the moss will grow into the shingles. Furthermore, it can grow under the shingles and break the seal between the shingle layers. The growth patterns of moss can cause issues because of its sponge-like nature. Whether it’s growing into the shingle or under the layer of shingles it introduces moisture to the underlayment of the roof and can potentially cause leaks and wood rot.
Moss Removal Tips
As with any roofing project you do on your own it is vital to use the utmost caution for your safety. That said if you have moss on your roof and want to clean it off but don’t want to pay someone to do it there are some DIY techniques.
Manual Moss Removal
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Carefully cut the moss off of your roof with a round filed knife. If the moss is growing under the shingle reseal it with black plastic cement. Sweep the removed moss off of your roof.
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Some people use a leaf blower to remove debris from their roof. This is a good time to inspect your roof for any signs of moss growth. If you find it use a soft brush to gently remove the moss from your roof.
Use Chemicals to Clean and Kill the Moss
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An eco-friendly way to clean moss off your roof is to use vinegar to kill the moss.
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Softwash your roof with a bleach product. A light case of moss should die within a few days and flake off after it dries out.
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You can also kill the moss by changing the PH of the roof. This is done by mixing household products like baking soda, baking powder, salt, soap, and bleach, with water and applying it to the affected area. For moss to thrive it requires a ph of 5.0-6.0. Raising the PH will effectively kill moss.
Some consumers think sweeping moss under the proverbial rug by simply putting a new layer of shingles on the roof is an ok solution. In reality, this can do more damage to your roof because you’re not fixing the problem. The covered-up moss will continue growing and absorbing moisture, voiding the benefit of a new layer of shingles.
If the moss on your roof has gotten out of control, call Klaus Roofing Systems of Cincinnati today. We can offer you a free roof replacement estimate with moss-resistant shingles. You'll never have to worry about moss damaging your roof again.
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