What Moss on Your Roof Is Doing to Your Shingles

Late summer is when homeowners actually look up. The light is different, the yard work is done, and the streaks on the roof are suddenly obvious. If that is where you are right now, here is what you are looking at.

Moss, algae, and lichen all want to live on your roof

If your roof looks blotchy, streaked, or dark in patches, something is growing on it. Algae, moss, and lichens all like to live on a roof. This is not dirt that rain will eventually rinse away, because it is living growth and it spreads.

From the ground it reads as a stain. Up close it is a layer of growth sitting on top of your shingles.

Shady spots that never fully dry out are where it starts

This growth usually takes hold in dark, shady spots that do not get to fully dry out. The lack of sunlight creates the conditions for natural growth.

That is why one side of a roof often looks worse than the other. The side that sits under trees, or the side that stays in shade most of the day, holds moisture longer than the side that gets sun.

The damage shows up on your shingles and in your gutters

Growth on a roof is not only a looks problem. Algae, moss, and lichen can make your roof appear blotchy or stained, and they can lead to gutter and shingle damage. They also reduce the overall lifespan of your roof.

Your roof is built to last for years. Letting growth sit on it works against that, and the cleanup usually reaches your gutters too, because whatever comes off the roof ends up there.

A roof gets soft washed, not power washed

This is the part worth understanding before you hire anyone. Roof soft washing is treated and handled differently than other forms of washing.

You do not want your roof taking heavy water pressure, because it can cause damage. Shingles are not siding and they are not concrete, so the pressure that cleans a driveway is the wrong tool for a roof. A roof wash is usually the right call when organic growth begins to spread. Dark roofs with mold streaks, algae roofs, and mossy roofs are the most common.

At All-Pro, we provide roof soft washing services that clean the roof and help prevent these growths. The heavier pressure work has its place on other surfaces, and that is what our power and soft washing service covers: driveways, patios, walkways, pool decks, and siding.

Winter is harder on a roof that is already dirty

The colder months take their own toll. Snow, ice, and debris can damage your shingles and allow water to seep into your roof. When that water freezes, it leads to cracks in the roof.

Having your roof cleaned consistently by a professional helps reduce the chance of your shingles and roof being damaged. That is what makes late summer and early fall a sensible time to deal with growth. You are getting it off before the snow arrives, instead of after.

We remove algae, moss, and lichen for homes and commercial buildings

At All-Pro, we handle residential roof cleaning and commercial roof cleaning, including algae, moss, and lichen removal and mold prevention. If the siding needs attention at the same time, that falls under house washing.

We work across Middlesex County and Essex County. We are family owned, highly rated, and fully insured.

Get the growth off before the weather turns

If you can see growth on your roof from the driveway, it has been up there a while, and another winter will not improve it.

Call All-Pro at (781) 799-2453, or request your free quote at allprowindowcleaningllc.com.