Roof cleaners Ltd. Leading Roof Cleaning Service.

Cleaning moss and Lichen from roof surfaces has become a multi million pound business. Diy stores are packed full of the latest “spray for 30 seconds and run away products, and fungicidal washes. But why bother taking the time to wash moss off your roof? Does moss actually damage the tiles or slates?

There are many thousands of different types Lichens growths. The one most commonly found on roof surfaces is Ascomycetes Foliose. This is a combination of fungus and bacteria that form the yellow and green coral like growth found on roof slates and tiles. It is an extremely hardy plant growth and can survive long periods of drought, frost and wet.

As part of its normal growth cycle the Lichen embeds itself into the roof surface. The lower part of the plant called the Cortex, digs into the fragile slate or tile surface. This is where the damage to the roof surface begins. The roof surface begins to flake or blister. The damage to the roof is made worse by winter frost cycles. The moisture within the Lichen or roof moss expands and contracts causing fractures and cracks to the tiles.

Does Roof Moss Damage Concrete Tiles

Concrete tile roofs are extremely durable. Moss may still embed itself into the surface, but the damage will not be so severe. The major problem caused by moss on concrete tiles, is to the interlocks. Each roof tile has an interlocking join along the vertical sides. These joins allow the tiles to sit correctly with its neighboring tile. Running down the length of each interlock are water channels. The channels divert rain harmlessly to the tile below. However, if the moss is not cleaned away regularly, the channels become clogged and blocked. Once this happens the only place the water can go, is inside the loft or living space. Obviously this will eventually cause roof leaks. The problem is made worse because the channels can not be seen without removing each roof tile. It is essential that the moss is cleaned away regularly to prolong the life of the roof and prevent the need for expensive re-roofing. Once the majority of the moss has been cleaned away, a simple fungicidal wash will keep it clear.