Is Moss Hurting My Roof?

If you’re seeing moss on your roof, should you worry? No.

Should you do something about it? Yes, you should.  Moss is dormant in the summer, but it’s not dead: it will continue to expand, the longer you let it.  The good news is, when moss is dry and dormant, it’s the perfect time to remove it.

As iconic as moss is to the Pacific NW, once you own a home, you may find that it’s also a bit of a chore.  Moss looks quaint, but can shorten the lifespan of your roof, make sidewalks and steps slippery, and as a realtor I’ve found that it hurts ‘curb appeal’.

Consider this your reminder to make a plan for moss removal, and start a routine to keep it away.

As a homeowner, you can try a DIY solution, like a mix of bleach and water, vinegar and water, or a product from the hardware store (like Moss Off).  You’ll spray these on the mossy roof.  Once if you kill moss, it will still need to be manually brushed off the roof, or removed with a very light pressure wash.  (Too much pressure, spraying, or scrubbing can harm your roof!).

You may want to hire a professional.  Look for a contractor who will manually brush the roof and clean up the gutters and ground afterwards.  They will typically apply a zinc product to the roof peaks to prevent future growth.  Moss removal will typically last a few years, then you may need to repeat.  One thing you can also do to prevent moss is to trim tree branches away from the roof, and make sure you clear any tree debris or leaves from the roof and gutters regularly.

Minimizing moss will pay off: your roof will thank you, and last longer too.

Lita Batho

Broker | OR & WA

She/Her

Lita has a genuine enthusiasm for navigating home purchases and sales with the intention of outperforming the market and making the process stress free and transparent for her clients...

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• litabatho@livingroomre.com