How to Remove Moss from Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar shake roofing is a beautiful, rustic style of wood roof that is incredibly popular. When homeowners want an alternative to the regular asphalt shingles, cedar shakes or cedar shingles is one of the first options people consider. However, as beautiful as they are, they can come with many problems.
One of the most significant issues homeowners can find with cedar shake roofing is the growth of moss, a green flowerless plant that grows in specific environments. While moss seems harmless, it can cause many issues. Because of that, you need to know how to remove moss from a cedar shake roof.
Why Does Moss Grow on Cedar Shake Roofs?
For moss to grow, it needs a few different things: enough moisture, shade, humidity, and a particular type of soil or soil pH level.
Wet, humid weather is easy to come by depending on the season, and trees around a home can easily provide shade for the roof. The cedar itself grows in acidic soil that typically has a low pH level, which is what moss prefers.
Once moss has begun to grow, it will prove extremely resilient and will remain green even in frigid temperatures, unlike grass. Not even excessive heat or a lack of rain will have a permanent effect on the moss as long as it is still humid.
Because of that, you’ll need to know how to remove moss from a cedar shake roof as soon as it begins to grow, to avoid any costly repairs.
Effects of Moss on Cedar Roofing
As harmless as moss can look, it can prove extremely detrimental to the health and safety of your roof. When moss is left too long and covers too much of the roof, it can damage the structural integrity.
Because moss grows in moist, humid areas, it can also be a clear sign of water or moisture damage on the roof. In the case of cedar roofing, a wet or moist roof can eventually lead to issues like rot, mold, and mildew. Severe moisture can even go through the roof and flashing and into the home, where mold can continue to grow.
All of these are serious problems, and they are costly as well. So, getting rid of moss on your cedar–or any–roof is critical. Not having it grow at all is even better.
Removing Moss From Cedar Roofing
If you find moss on your roof, you should skip trying to deal with it yourself and call a professional. Removing the plant only takes care of the visual part of the problem.
However, depending on how severe the moss problem is, it may not take care of the deeper issue, especially if the moss has been around for a while. They can remove the moss, inspect your roof, and ensure that the moss does not grow back.
However, if you choose to remove it yourself, do not use a pressure washer to clean the roof. Doing so can strip the cedar and damage the shingles, which you may have to replace depending on how bad the damage is.
Instead, you will need to use a hose and gently scrape the moss off of the surface of the roof. Once all the moss is removed, you’ll need to kill the moss by carefully using bleach. Then, you need to use a moss control powder which will further ensure that all of the moss is dead.
A Better Alternative: Synthetic Wood Shakes
Never underestimate what something like moss can do to your cedar shake roof. It can lead to serious, costly problems and be difficult and expensive to remove. While you could take steps to prevent the growth of mold on your roof, the best thing to do is to consider a moss-resistant roofing option. Fortunately, this does not mean you have to give up the cedar shake style roof that you enjoy.
But, the most significant benefit to choosing synthetic wood shakes is the fact that they are moisture resistant. It also means that you don’t have to worry about moss growing on the surface of your roof, leaving you with serious and expensive repair issues.
When you see moss-covered houses in movies, it can seem like a romantic fairytale. But, the reality is that moss can cause plenty of issues when it starts to grow on your roof. While knowing how to remove moss from a cedar roof can help, it does not necessarily mean it will never happen.
Instead, consider an alternative form of roofing, like CeDUR Roofing Shakes. Their shakes are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing and offer even more durability as well as a long, moss-free life protecting your home.
