by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
With the constant rain and damp weather, combined with extreme bouts of high temperatures, we literally had a moss garden growing on our roof! It reminded me of the thatched homes you’d see in photographs of cottages in rural Ireland or England. Since we are passed the age of roof climbing any longer to fix any problems, we called a contractor that a friend recommended that did excellent work for her on the same problem. The first step was to call the contractor, Jonathan, and have him come to give an estimate for the moss removal. The best part of this process was that our call was returned promptly from his message machine and a short turnaround day for him to arrive for inspection and estimate.
What we also accomplished during his visit was learning about a new technique that would prevent growth of moss, lichen and mildew from returning after his cleaning process. His estimate included the moss removal, cleaning out the gutters that would gather the falling moss scraped off the shingles and the installation of the preventative tape that would stop moss from returning. He told us about a product called zinc tape that comes on rolls about 3 inches wide and fifty feet long. The long strips are installed under a row of shingles across the tops of the roof and nailed in place. The zinc strip works when rain rolls over the top of the metal strip and tiny particles are carried down the roof. The metal is poisonous to algae, moss, lichen, fungus, mold and other plant life, that can grow on your roof, stain, look bad, and not good for the life of your roof. My husband liked the explanation and new information and the price quoted for the work to be done. A date was set for the work and he arrived as stated, very punctual, too. First Jonathan sprayed the roof with Wet N Forget, a gentle formula that kills and cleans away black algae over time, for a year or more. Both these products can be purchased at the big box home renovation stores or your local hardware store.
Roofing Problems: If you have tree branches hanging over the roof, blocking the sun, you might want to consider having these limbs trimmed away from the house. This helps the roof dry more quickly after rain. Are there missing or degrading shingles on the roof? This can cause water leaks and staining if not properly repaired or replaced. Naturally a sagging roof is a more serious problem and could mean the wood underneath your shingles has rotted to a degree that it should be replaced, as well as the shingles. Take a walk through your home, paying close attention to the ceilings in each room. Are there any water stains or discoloration on the ceiling or walls? Is there blistering or peeling of your paint caused by increased humidity perhaps coming from roof leakage? What is the lifespan of your roof? If you’ve had the roof replaced years ago, you may recall what kind of shingles you had put on the roof. The average lifespan of a roof is between 15 and 30 years. When we had our roof replaced years ago we opted for the more expensive shingles that are rated to last for 40 years or more. Naturally, severe weather conditions can lower that estimate. Be sure to inspect your roof and see what may be needed. Call a professional roofer or contractor for the best advice and solution to see what process works best for your moss or repair problems. Be sure to get several estimates and listen to the advice or suggestions of the professional you are considering hiring. It’s best to keep up on these inspections to guarantee the longevity of your roof as well as its safety and curb appeal.
