Removing Moss from Roof

[motco]

Boosted LS1 said:

A field full of dandelions is pretty spectacular though. One of my favourite flowers but they would take over the lawn given the chance. Said to be very tasty and they make great tea.

The TV series 'Camomile Lawn' made me yearn for a buxom Jennifer Ehle ...


Sorry, topic drift...

[silverthorn2151]

This is pretty typical of the front roof slopes. This does block outlets and cause dampness.

[Pistom]

If you have concrete roof tiles, the moss can grow into the tile and break it up. Then there is the issue of gutters getting blocked and moss on the paving below all the time.

After getting quotes of about £1200, I decided to do it myself as I need the exercise and I've found it quite therapeutic.

I've so far spent 3 days doing it and have 1 more day left so as well as enjoying it, I've saved a few quid. The main gain though is that I've not got strangers on the roof "finding" work that would make a £1200 job £3K.

[craig1912]

Pistom said:

If you have concrete roof tiles, the moss can grow into the tile and break it up. Then there is the issue of gutters getting blocked and moss on the paving below all the time.

After getting quotes of about £1200, I decided to do it myself as I need the exercise and I've found it quite therapeutic.

I've so far spent 3 days doing it and have 1 more day left so as well as enjoying it, I've saved a few quid. The main gain though is that I've not got strangers on the roof "finding" work that would make a £1200 job £3K.

Yep,mine are concrete- quite a large high roof so I’m not getting up there. Best quote for manual scrape and spray of inhibitor plus wash down of gutters soffits etc is £600.

[Evoluzione]

Moss does absolutely not break tiles

[spanky3]

I recall reading that a lack of loft insulation causes moss on roofs. Warm and damp = moss. Take away the heat and the moss doesn't grow. Could be rubbish of course.

[craig1912]

spanky3 said:

I recall reading that a lack of loft insulation causes moss on roofs. Warm and damp = moss. Take away the heat and the moss doesn't grow. Could be rubbish of course.

It is because we have masses of insulation

[s m]

I paid a local company called Richards & Wood to clean all the moss off our roof. It always gets bad on the north facing side.

Couple of old boys called Keith and Ronnie came and quoted for the job, I paid up front and left them to do the job whilst I was away for a few days.

To tell the truth it doesn’t look like they’ve actually done anything. Neighbour said they spent a lot of time playing loud music and drinking.
I can only lichen then to conmen as the moss is all still there.

[CloudStuff]

One of the strangest threads I’ve ever seen on ph.

Cringeworthy, humour-free, pseudo-satirical responses all because a bloke has asked for help in dealing with superfluous roof bush.

[ARHarh]

Evoluzione said:

Moss does absolutely not break tiles

I have tiles which were installed in1961, they have moss on them and probably have had since 1962. None have been cracked by moss. Some are overdoing the power off moss.

[j4r4lly]

I did the north side of our roof a few years back as we had some scaffolding up while completing another job.

I used a long pole with a wire brush taped onto it but that was seriously hard work and not that effective. Switched the wire brush for a wide bladed wallpaper scraper which worked much better. Slide the blade carefully along the tiles and most of the moss lifts away quite easily.

Proper work out for the shoulders and upper arms but well worth doing to stop the moss blocking the downpipes and gutters and falling off the roof onto the cars and driveway below.

[AW10]

s m said:

I paid a local company called Richards & Wood to clean all the moss off our roof. It always gets bad on the north facing side.

Couple of old boys called Keith and Ronnie came and quoted for the job, I paid up front and left them to do the job whilst I was away for a few days.

To tell the truth it doesn’t look like they’ve actually done anything. Neighbour said they spent a lot of time playing loud music and drinking.
I can only lichen then to conmen as the moss is all still there.

So it's true - a rolling stone gathers no moss.

[s m]

AW10 said:

s m said:

I paid a local company called Richards & Wood to clean all the moss off our roof. It always gets bad on the north facing side.

Couple of old boys called Keith and Ronnie came and quoted for the job, I paid up front and left them to do the job whilst I was away for a few days.

To tell the truth it doesn’t look like they’ve actually done anything. Neighbour said they spent a lot of time playing loud music and drinking.
I can only lichen then to conmen as the moss is all still there.

So it's true - a rolling stone gathers no moss.

[Pistom]

ARHarh said:

Evoluzione said:

Moss does absolutely not break tiles

I have tiles which were installed in1961, they have moss on them and probably have had since 1962. None have been cracked by moss. Some are overdoing the power off moss.

I think there's some basic misunderstanding here.

I've missed it if anyone has said moss "breaks" or "cracks" tiles.

The effect of moss varies depending on the type of roof covering, incline of the roof, the weather and atmospheric conditions.

Under certain conditions, materials such as concrete roof tiles can start to break down. If moss starts to take a hold, it retains more moisture and exposes the tile to freeze thaw action as well as further atmospheric exposure which can then in turn cause further degradation.

If you keep the roof clear of moss, you will reduce the effects of the above.

[Evoluzione]

Pistom said:

ARHarh said:

Evoluzione said:

Moss does absolutely not break tiles

I have tiles which were installed in1961, they have moss on them and probably have had since 1962. None have been cracked by moss. Some are overdoing the power off moss.

I think there's some basic misunderstanding here.

I've missed it if anyone has said moss "breaks" or "cracks" tiles.

The effect of moss varies depending on the type of roof covering, incline of the roof, the weather and atmospheric conditions.

Under certain conditions, materials such as concrete roof tiles can start to break down. If moss starts to take a hold, it retains more moisture and exposes the tile to freeze thaw action as well as further atmospheric exposure which can then in turn cause further degradation.

If you keep the roof clear of moss, you will reduce the effects of the above.

It was in your post so you won't have far to go and find it.
Moss does not break tiles, if you think it does go find a trusted source which has published a study on it.

[Pistom]

Evoluzione said:

Pistom said:

ARHarh said:

Evoluzione said:

Moss does absolutely not break tiles

I have tiles which were installed in1961, they have moss on them and probably have had since 1962. None have been cracked by moss. Some are overdoing the power off moss.

I think there's some basic misunderstanding here.

I've missed it if anyone has said moss "breaks" or "cracks" tiles.

The effect of moss varies depending on the type of roof covering, incline of the roof, the weather and atmospheric conditions.

Under certain conditions, materials such as concrete roof tiles can start to break down. If moss starts to take a hold, it retains more moisture and exposes the tile to freeze thaw action as well as further atmospheric exposure which can then in turn cause further degradation.

If you keep the roof clear of moss, you will reduce the effects of the above.

It was in your post so you won't have far to go and find it.
Moss does not break tiles, if you think it does go find a trusted source which has published a study on it.

As I thought - misunderstanding.

In any case - here is a "trusted source" for you - the manufacturer https://www.marley.co.uk/blog/how-do-i-remove-moss...

[AW10]

On the efficacy of copper to prevent moss growth... many years ago I took two sections of 15mm copper pipe and cable tied them to one another and fitted them to the peak of the roof of my garage covering about half the length. They've been in place about 15 years. The difference they made... is SFA. I did buy some copper sheet but never fitted it. I struggle with the idea that copper wire would do anything at all.

[BugLebowski]

The trick for removing moss is to wait for a few weeks of bleaching hot sunshine without any rain. After that the moss will be nicely dried out and can be brushed off with a stiff floor brush without much effort (I wouldn't even attempt it when it's damp) Then spray the roof with some form of moss killer to round up any straggling bits and prevent regrowth.

[Evoluzione]

Pistom said:

Evoluzione said:

Pistom said:

ARHarh said:

Evoluzione said:

Moss does absolutely not break tiles

I have tiles which were installed in1961, they have moss on them and probably have had since 1962. None have been cracked by moss. Some are overdoing the power off moss.

I think there's some basic misunderstanding here.

I've missed it if anyone has said moss "breaks" or "cracks" tiles.

The effect of moss varies depending on the type of roof covering, incline of the roof, the weather and atmospheric conditions.

Under certain conditions, materials such as concrete roof tiles can start to break down. If moss starts to take a hold, it retains more moisture and exposes the tile to freeze thaw action as well as further atmospheric exposure which can then in turn cause further degradation.

If you keep the roof clear of moss, you will reduce the effects of the above.

It was in your post so you won't have far to go and find it.
Moss does not break tiles, if you think it does go find a trusted source which has published a study on it.

As I thought - misunderstanding.

In any case - here is a "trusted source" for you - the manufacturer https://www.marley.co.uk/blog/how-do-i-remove-moss...

There is no misunderstanding:

Pistom said:

If you have concrete roof tiles, the moss can grow into the tile and break it up.

Your link is peppered with 'it might' 'it could'. There has been no hard evidence provided that this happens. Because it doesn't.
If it did there would be thousands of houses with cracked and failing roofs yet there aren't.
I spent many, many years in the building trade in the private sector, I never once saw a roof damaged by moss.

[Vasco]

AW10 said:

On the efficacy of copper to prevent moss growth... many years ago I took two sections of 15mm copper pipe and cable tied them to one another and fitted them to the peak of the roof of my garage covering about half the length. They've been in place about 15 years. The difference they made... is SFA. I did buy some copper sheet but never fitted it. I struggle with the idea that copper wire would do anything at all.

My roofer always said that copper would be a waste of time and to just leave the moss alone. I have, for 10 years now.