Trad-Man vs Roof Moss

I’ve lived in my home for over 40 years and I’ve never had a problem with roof moss.  But there it was… bright, ambitious and sassy green—nearly fluorescent in the morning sunlight. 

My first thought was that the shingles were to blame. But they are Certain-Teed Landmark shingles, a quality brand, or so I’ve always thought.

It was only 7 years ago that I put them on the roof over my recently completed home addition. The rest of the house has the same brand of shingle, but they were put on 12 years back—and no moss!

The roof is on the north side of my home. It doesn’t get the sun like the south-facing side (with no trace of moss). But the older north-facing roof side has no moss to speak of. So, it’s a mystery.

The moss had to go. I went for bleach first. I diluted it 50% with water, and soaked the furry green edges of every shingle course.

After an hour or so, I got to thinking that the bleach alone probably was not sufficient to solve the problem. 

So, I found a brush with stiff plastic bristles and went to work, carefully hand-scrubbing every lineal inch of the wicked growth.

The moss brushed away surprising well, but it was still a chore. I broom-swept the moss pieces off the roof and finished around noon, just as the clouds broke and the sun came out.

My 68-year-old hips ached from the battle the next day, but it was worth it. The roof looks great. For now. I wonder how long it will be before the moss comes back?

Does moss grow on your roof? Do you have any advice for me? 

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Update: The above episode took place and was written 6 months ago. No moss has returned. The roof looks great. Yeah, it’s a mystery.