Although there are people who enjoy having a layer of moss in their home to give it a vintage and mystical style, this plant represents problems for the structure where it is located, especially when it comes to the ceiling. Due to its rapid growth, you may want to know how to remove moss from roof naturally to be prepared in case of emergencies.
Moss is a kind of plant that grows in damp and dark areas. Because of this, it is common for houses in the northern hemisphere to experience a sudden growth of moss on the north side. It occurs in the opposite direction for the inhabitants of the southern hemisphere.
Regardless of where it is growing, we must eliminate moss as quickly as possible if we want to maintain the structural integrity of the construction. The moss on roof can quickly deteriorate its construction material, especially if it is made of wood.
If the moss is not removed periodically, the water will begin to seep through the tiles, which will become a much bigger problem. Luckily, the cleaning process is relatively easy.
What is moss and how does it spread
Moss is a plant that absorbs water through its leaves so, unlike other species, it does not require soil to grow since it does not obtain the necessary nutrients to live through the roots.
By not needing land, it can expand in any space where it has enough moisture to develop. Moisture accumulates mostly in areas with a low incidence of sunlight, and since moss also does not require it to survive, the plant can grow in any dark area.
In the United States, due to the direction of the sun, it is common to find moss growing on walls and ceilings that face north. Another factor that helps in the growth of moss are the shadows generated by other trees, so homes located near forests are more likely to acquire it.
The plant begins as a thin, barely visible layer. However, soon it will become a thick mantle that will grow between the joints of the tiles. Since moss is a plant that stays wet, it will rot and crack the surface where it is.
This destructive nature is what has made it necessary to have multiple roof moss killers in the market. However, there are some techniques that we can use to naturally prevent their growth.
Tips to reduce moss growth rate
Some materials are toxic to moss, which we can use as a coating to prevent it from growing at all. For an accessible project, you can use zinc metal sheets. Place them under the top ridge on both sides of the roof.
Zinc, however, does not prevent moss growth; it only reduces the likelihood of its appearance. To avoid it completely, it is best to use copper sheets, but this is a much more expensive material.
Before installing any type of sheet, you must clean the ceiling. The best thing for the project is to buy complete rolls of metal to cut the number of sheets we need. Fix each piece using nails or ceiling screws.
An idea that does not involve altering your home to prevent moss growth is to prune trees that generate large shadows. You do not need to eliminate them, removing the leafiest branches will be enough for the sun to hit harder.
Avoid the accumulation of debris on the roof, such as dry leaves and tree branches, as these favors the growth of moss. With regular cleaning using a leaf blower, it will be enough to keep it clean.
How to remove moss from roof naturally – Homemade methods for keeping a clean roof
If it is too late to prevent the appearance of the moss, then it is time to act to eliminate it. If you do not want to hire a specialist, then you are in luck, because with enough patience and care, you can remove this intruder from your roof on your own. If you came to this guide looking for how to remove moss from roof naturally, you will be happy to know that there are several easy and efficient methods.
Make a deep brushing to your ceiling
The first method is simply to remove the moss using a brush. It can be long-handled, or you can use a broom.
It is best to avoid having to mount on the roof because the moss is slippery. If possible, remove it from a ladder.
Some safety implements you will need are rubber gloves and protective goggles. If you plan to climb on the roof, then wear shoes with non-slip soles for extra grip, although it is still advisable not to step on the moss. We also suggest that you use old clothes to work in.
To make moss removal easier, spray the roof with water from the top, so that water flows into the drains and does not enter through the tile openings.
Rub the moss with the necessary force. The use of the brush should be from the top to the bottom so as not to damage the roof. Be careful not to brush too close to the eaves to avoid accidents.
In case the condition of the roof structure is not very good, it is best to clean it using the hand from a safe distance. Before walking on a section, check its stability with a stick or by hand.
Homemade moss killer for roofs made with vinegar
Vinegar works very well as an abrasive for many jobs, including removing moss. We do not need so much vinegar to create an effective remover, a mixture that includes one part of apple or white vinegar for every nine parts of water will be enough.
Spray the solution with a sprayer so that you only apply what is necessary to remove the moss layer. Let the mixture stand for a couple of days or until the plant dries.
After a few days, clean your roof with water to remove vinegar and moss residues.
How to remove moss from roof naturally using baking soda
Very similar to the vinegar technique, baking soda allows you to keep your roof free of moss by functioning as an abrasive.
Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to 1L of water. Mix well so that it dissolves completely in the water, and then put it in a sprayer. Apply a layer of the solution on the moss, and in a couple of days, it will dry completely.
You should also clean your roof after the moss dries. The advantage of using baking soda is that we can apply it as a protective layer to the roof once a year to prevent plant growth.
Apply pressurized water with a power washer
This is the most drastic option of all, and the last one you should consider when thinking about natural methods to remove moss. The problem with using a power washer is that it can severely damage our roof due to high water pressure.
If our roof already has a considerable crack, then it is best to discard this option. In case you decide to use it, then you should apply the water from the top of the roof, following the direction of the installation of the tiles. We also recommend that you use a low-pressure level and that you separate the device as much as you can from the ceiling.
Removing moss from roof – A maintenance job
Due to the characteristics of the moss, the best way to prevent it from growing is with constant maintenance of the prone areas.
Although moss doesn’t feed through the roots, these are still their way of attaching to the surfaces, so like other plants, they can begin to lift the constructions if they grow out of control.
Even if this were not our case, the moss is a plant with high levels of humidity, so it will eventually rot the surface where it is.
Moss should be kept away from our homes for health and safety reasons, so even though many people consider it a decorative plant, if it is not controlled at least once or twice a year, we will end up with a serious problem.
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