Asks what causes moss to grow on a roof and what s the best way to get rid of it moss thrives in a damp shady environment.
How to grow moss on a roof.
As the moss starts to grow and take hold it needs to be kept really moist.
Over time moss can cause your roofing to degrade.
A slurry is a mixture of chopped moss and a food medium such as buttermilk that helps it propagate.
The more water and the more debris the greater the chance of moss growth.
Another critical factor is the amount of shade your roof receives.
Keep the moss out of the sunlight so it can stay cool throughout the day.
Moisture and organic debris.
How moss will ruin a roof.
How to grow moss with a slurry for rocks and bricks it s difficult to start moss as a transplant on a rocky or brick surface.
North facing roof areas that receive little sunlight are prone to moss.
That s why it often occurs on the north side of a roof or under shady overhanging trees.
Once moss establishes itself it absorbs rainwater like a sponge and can spread across the entire roof and grow a few inches thick.
A well shaded roof prevents the evaporation of moisture creating excellent conditions for moss.
The slurry can be painted onto the rock medium of your choice.
Now that you have a brand new roof you ll want to take steps to protect it from getting a moss infection as the last one did.
Remove sources of shade.
Water the moss daily for the next 2 to 3 weeks to establish it.
So that s where a slurry comes in.
How to prevent moss on your new roof.
Moss algae and lichen grow on your roof through a combination of two things.
Since moss thrives in damp environments areas of the roof that get the least amount of direct sunlight like north facing sections or areas shaded by tree limbs make an ideal place for it to grow.
Moss develops in perennially shady areas and in places that tend to be cool and damp.
Within these areas though moss does not grow in equal quantities everywhere.
Read more to find out what you can do.