The growth of moss or algae on the roof of the house is a very common phenomenon.
It does not spare roof any type of material whether made from asphalt, concrete tile or cedar shakes etc.
If neglected the roof will die a premature death.
Moss and algae tend to grow and multiply in regions with more than average rainfall and humidity.
For example it only needs a light breeze to spread the spores from lichens.
Soon these will grow and multiply into moss or algae and cluster into clumps.
Nature has certain rules.
In the northern hemisphere moss tends to grow profusely on the north side of the roof or in those parts of the roof covered by overhanging branches.
Shade blocking out the sun makes it ideal for moss to multiply.
The dew falling in the morning or occasional showers anchor on to the moss and this leads to less of evaporation.
This in turn triggers of the game of multiplication until the entire roof is slowly taken over and conquered.
It is a slow but sure deadly process.
The humble moss should not be ignored.
It looks small but like the sponge on the toilet shelf the shallow rooted moss can absorb and store four times its weight in moisture.
The result is that the roof becomes covered with moisture that keeps on getting heavy and heavier.
With this weight it presses down on the sheathing and rafters.
The activity of its roots speeds up the destruction of the shingles.
How can this problem be tackled? Moss can be eradicated provided the house owner has not allowed it get out of hand.
It however requires professional help.
This is the first important step.
There are special roof cleaning tools that tackles the problem at its very base and gently clears the lumpy and heavy moss formations without damaging the roof.
It is a very tedious painstaking job and each shingle needs individual attention.
In this way about 80% to 90% of the moss is cleared.
If the remaining percentage proves to be too tough then it has to be subjected to a cleaning with roof cleaning mixture.
The whole operation will give a new look and extra life to the old roof - the most vital part of the house.
Now that the roof is in shipshape condition the next question is - how can future collection of moss be prevented? The overhanging branches must be lopped off to allow for free flow of sun and air.
The sun will be a deterrent and the wind will not allow moisture to linger lovingly on the roof and will act as a broom sweeping away the collected debris.
The algae or moisture will not be able to find a toehold to cling on to.
It does not spare roof any type of material whether made from asphalt, concrete tile or cedar shakes etc.
If neglected the roof will die a premature death.
Moss and algae tend to grow and multiply in regions with more than average rainfall and humidity.
For example it only needs a light breeze to spread the spores from lichens.
Soon these will grow and multiply into moss or algae and cluster into clumps.
Nature has certain rules.
In the northern hemisphere moss tends to grow profusely on the north side of the roof or in those parts of the roof covered by overhanging branches.
Shade blocking out the sun makes it ideal for moss to multiply.
The dew falling in the morning or occasional showers anchor on to the moss and this leads to less of evaporation.
This in turn triggers of the game of multiplication until the entire roof is slowly taken over and conquered.
It is a slow but sure deadly process.
The humble moss should not be ignored.
It looks small but like the sponge on the toilet shelf the shallow rooted moss can absorb and store four times its weight in moisture.
The result is that the roof becomes covered with moisture that keeps on getting heavy and heavier.
With this weight it presses down on the sheathing and rafters.
The activity of its roots speeds up the destruction of the shingles.
How can this problem be tackled? Moss can be eradicated provided the house owner has not allowed it get out of hand.
It however requires professional help.
This is the first important step.
There are special roof cleaning tools that tackles the problem at its very base and gently clears the lumpy and heavy moss formations without damaging the roof.
It is a very tedious painstaking job and each shingle needs individual attention.
In this way about 80% to 90% of the moss is cleared.
If the remaining percentage proves to be too tough then it has to be subjected to a cleaning with roof cleaning mixture.
The whole operation will give a new look and extra life to the old roof - the most vital part of the house.
Now that the roof is in shipshape condition the next question is - how can future collection of moss be prevented? The overhanging branches must be lopped off to allow for free flow of sun and air.
The sun will be a deterrent and the wind will not allow moisture to linger lovingly on the roof and will act as a broom sweeping away the collected debris.
The algae or moisture will not be able to find a toehold to cling on to.