How Do You Remove Lichen From A Roof

Roof lichen or more regularly recognized roof moss or algae is a very common sight on many shingled or tiles roofs whilst appearing more like a cosmetic problem the roof lichen can cause serious harm to your roof.

How do you remove lichen from a roof.

After just 16 years lichen and moss have taken hold on the surface of the asphalt roof shingles on the north side of the house. Lichens are known to have a tight grip which means that scraping them off can be time consuming and damaging to the roof. Always use a stable ladder and safety harness when climbing on the roof. And choose your roofing material wisely.

The first step in maintaining your roof is to roof it right. Keep reading to learn more about how lichen grows on outdoor surfaces and what you can do to easily remove lichen. This is one reason that we always recommend against do it yourself roof cleaning. Most professional roofers advise that it is possible to do more damage to the roof by trying to remove lichen than the lichen will ever do to harm the roof.

Lichen can be especially damaging to roofs so it s important that it s treated properly to avoid any costly damage. Lichen avoids galvanized steel copper and zinc because these metals work as a natural biocide. Your roof shingles have a protective layer at the top. Lichen can be really tricky to remove because it grips strongly onto the surface.

Lichen accumulation on roofs is really a minor problem that will not hurt the roof. Over time lichens also cause massive damage. Roof moss and lichen are not only unsightly but can damage the roof over time. Moss itself is a plant while lichen conisist of a fungus and a photosyntheizing plant living together.

It holds moisture and can cause roofs to bend and bow inward and eventually collapse if left untreated. When leaves and other material collect on your roof a perfect bed is formed for moss and lichens to grow. Lichen grows on many exterior surfaces including sidewalks decking pavers siding and even outdoor furniture. To remove lichen and moss from the roof try the least toxic method for moss and lichen removal first oxygen bleach.

How do you remove lichens from the roof. If you try to brush broom or scrape your roof the coating may get peeled off. So if you attempt to remove it with a hand tool you may accidentally remove the protective top layer of your roof shingles as well. You can remove moss and lichens from your roof by using vinegar as a environmentally friendly weedkiller.