Lichen, Moss, and Algae. What Causes These To Grow, What Can They Do To My Roof, Wh

Moss growing on a roof

Moss

     Out of the three, moss is on par with lichen as one of the most damaging plants to your roof. It has a rapid growth rate, a resilient nature, and an unsightly appearance. The primary reason for its potential danger lies in the way it grows and its preferred location. Moss tends to establish itself in the gaps between shingles and gradually work its way underneath them. This can have detrimental effects on the roof's integrity because the moss retains moisture, keeping the underside of the shingles constantly damp. As a result, water can follow the path of the moss's roots, ultimately finding its way into your attic.

    Moss has one major weakness though, sunlight. If your roof gets at least 2-3 hours of direct sunlight a day, when the weather cooperates of course, then it should squander any attempts the moss might try. If the moss had already taken hold then give us a call, we use an incredibly effective solution involving surfactant and sodium hypochlorite. This allows us to completely transform your roof in just a few minutes.

Lichen

     Lichen is just as dangerous as moss because it is very similar in the way it grows. Like moss it prefers to grow in the gaps in the shingles and underneath the shingles. Unlike moss it is flat and isn't as absorbent, but their roots are stronger and tend to run deeper into the shingles which takes the water even closer to the decking layer and into your attic. Lichen tends to grow closely with moss and they can piggy back off each other for resources so it's common to see one growing with the other.

    Due to this plant being so close to moss you can kill it the same way. Multiple hours of sunlight will again stop any attempt it takes at growing and our surfactant and sodium hypochlorite solution is also highly effective at killing it once it takes root. 

Algae

    Algae looks very different compared to the others. Instead of growing in the shingles gaps and underneath, it tends to grow on the top of shingles. Many people also misidentify algae with being color fade or just dirt. Unlike the moss and lichen there is generally only one type of algae that grows on roof and that is gloeocapsa magma this algae is either black or gray. Airborne spores from existing algae land on other roofs and it jumps roof to roof.  Unlike the other two the effects that algae have on your roof don't compromise the integrity of the roof. Instead it eats away the UV protective layer that our shingles have and without this layer the shingles lose their color faster and age faster.

    Following the trend, the treatment for algae is, you guessed it, sunlight and our surfactant and sodium hypochlorite solution. 

If you have any questions about roof cleaning or any other inquiries regarding roofs, gutters, or siding, please don't hesitate to give us a call at 1-203-723-1372