Algae or moss on roof

donnamatrix · 09-11-2013, 03:27 PM

Noticed on our garage roof - that is pretty much in the shade - that we have some algae or moss or some green glop "growing" on the shingles. Egad. It's always something! What's the best way to eradicate this problem other than installing copper across the top of the roof. I don't want to get up on the roof and think it's too high and pitched to just spray something from a leaning ladder. There is no way to scrub off what I would spray on. Any suggestions are welcome.

Diana · 09-11-2013, 03:58 PM

Trim your trees. Get some sunshine on there.

LIforrelaxin · 09-11-2013, 03:59 PM

I have had good luck, with "Wet it and Forget" it this summer.

The Moss on the roof is mostly gone after one application... I hope to do another application this weekend....

I use the leaning ladder and spray it on technique myself...

You just need to follow the directions...

I have also tried the "Wet it and Forget it" on my deck which is in the shade, and gets some algae / Moss growth, and it worked well there also

Slickcraft · 09-11-2013, 04:04 PM

Here is a prior thread. As LIforrelaxin says, Wet and Forget does the job.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ight=moss+roof

GTO · 09-11-2013, 05:35 PM

I had a lot of moss on my roof and now it's gone. You can buy it at Heaths Hardware. I have an a-frame with a very steep roof but sprayed it on myself with a garden sprayer. No scrubbing, just spray it on.

Blue Thunder · 09-12-2013, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

I had a lot of moss on my roof and now it's gone. You can buy it at Heaths Hardware. I have an a-frame with a very steep roof but sprayed it on myself with a garden sprayer. No scrubbing, just spray it on.

GTO,
If I could indulge you for a bit more info...did you climb up on the roof to apply the product? I have a steep 12 pitch roof as well with the beginning stages of moss growth. I am going to use this product with so many good results posted here...Thanks

BT

GTO · 09-12-2013, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

GTO,
If I could indulge you for a bit more info...did you climb up on the roof to apply the product? I have a steep 12 pitch roof as well with the beginning stages of moss growth. I am going to use this product with so many good results posted here...Thanks

BT

because I have gutters, I have a stabilizer on the end of my ladder so it keeps it away from the gutters. I climb as high up as I can go and just spray. The sprayer I have I also got at Heaths but I am sure there are probably better ones. The spray just makes it to the very peak as I stretch out my arms as far as possible. Do it on a calm day so the spray isnt blowing everywhere. On the thicker moss I tried to apply a little more. Don't expect results the next day but watch it over time as the moss will brown and then eventually just dies.

eric richard · 09-12-2013, 09:18 AM

Hi Donnamatrix,

My name is Eric owner of Eric's & Phil's Home Improvement LLC. I have been doing cleaning of roof for a few years now when my roofing supply company told me about a new product thay have . It will take the moss and any other stain or algae off the roof and to prevent future incidents I install a piece of aluminum under the shingles at the top of the roof that will help with any future incidents.For one low cost it is well worth it beats putting on a new roof or cutting tree down. You can contact me at (603)923-3801 or email me and y691234@aol.com. I am fully insured and have good reference. I use this stuff all the time when my customers think thay need a new roof I clean it and put the strip in and thay got more out of there roof and saved thousands. When I install a new roof if it is in a shaded area I also install the aluminum strips at the top of roof to prevent moss or algae to grow. Feel free to contact me for a quote.

Thank you
Eric Richard
Owner
Eric's & Phil's Home Improvement LLC
(603)509-3880 office
(603)923-3801 cell

donnamatrix · 09-12-2013, 03:06 PM

Thanks everyone! Another product was suggested to me called "Lilly Miller Moss Out"... you buy the product so that the bottle attaches to your garden hose, no mixing. Has anyone heard of this ? This is the website.
http://www.mossout.com/roofs.htm

eric richard · 09-12-2013, 04:40 PM

Hi it all depends on how bad the moss it you may still need to get up on the roof to scrap it off. When I do it I us a broom to scrap the moss off going down do not go up you don't want to push it under the shingles that what damage the shingles.I have never used that product so I don't know how good it will work.
Thanks
Eric

kauriel · 09-13-2013, 10:04 PM

I looked up to see if wet & forget is safe for pets and found a $5 rebate offer: http://wetandforget.com/wet_and_foge...ar_rebate.html

For anyone wondering - they indicate it's pet safe once it dries (about 4 - 5 hours after application). We are planning on using it on our shed roof and our dogs frequent the area around the shed. Hopefully it is as safe as they claim!

1helpfulhandyman · 09-16-2013, 08:12 PM

The best thing to do is to get Zink flashing by the roll. The first row of shingles below the cap (top of roof) is where you install the zink. When it rains a small amount of zink is released and flows down the roof. It will kill the moss and prevent it from growing again. Google zink flashing and you will get an education on moss prevention. Copper will also work but is much more expensive. Drive around and look at others roofs that are stained or have moss. If they have a skylight in the roof, below the skylight the roof will be clean. This is the rain releasing some copper (the flashing on the skylight is copper) and it and prevents stains and moss. Zink works even better. The spray on cleaners are only a temporary fix. Never power wash the roof as it will remove granules and shorten the life of the roof. I have installed zink a few times myself and it always works well. If you dont remove the heavy moss with a broom it may take a year or so for the moss to die and get flushed off the roof by rain. Good Luck !

MAXUM · 09-17-2013, 04:46 PM

I just hit my roof with bleach mixed water (4 parts water to 1 bleach) applied in a bug poison pressurized sprayer (not a high pressure wash as it'll wreck your shingles). Worked great and bleach is real cheap. Only thing you have to be careful of is not getting that stuff all over yourself.

I have read mixing water, bleach and trisodium phosphate works well too.

LIforrelaxin · 09-18-2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kauriel

I looked up to see if wet & forget is safe for pets and found a $5 rebate offer: http://wetandforget.com/wet_and_foge...ar_rebate.html

For anyone wondering - they indicate it's pet safe once it dries (about 4 - 5 hours after application). We are planning on using it on our shed roof and our dogs frequent the area around the shed. Hopefully it is as safe as they claim!

I have been using wet it and forget it around the camp this summer, on porches the roof and siding, trying to clean the place up.... I have had no issues, with either my dog, or my sisters dog, having any adverse re-actions from the use of the product.

what I have seen however is a good reduction in Algae and Moss growth.... And I am not one that is easily impressed....

Fargo · 09-20-2013, 05:52 PM

Today I sprayed the roof and patio with Wet and Forget. Smells better than bleach. I'll report back in a month as to how it is working to get rid of the moss.

kauriel · 09-20-2013, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

I have been using wet it and forget it around the camp this summer, on porches the roof and siding, trying to clean the place up.... I have had no issues, with either my dog, or my sisters dog, having any adverse re-actions from the use of the product.

what I have seen however is a good reduction in Algae and Moss growth.... And I am not one that is easily impressed....

I'm glad to hear it's as safe as it claims! Our dogs like to eat everything so we try to be very careful about what we put in our yard. We've learned the hard way that some of our existing plants are toxic to dogs

bigdog · 11-15-2016, 11:22 AM

How to use 'Wet & Forget' or 'Spray & Forget It' ?
https://www.sprayandforget.com/
and
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Spray-For...SPRY/206921329

I know this product comes in a container that attaches to garden hose, but exactly how far will the spray extend ? Concerned on how far it will reach ?

Thanks,
BD

Meredith AK · 11-15-2016, 10:54 PM

Just used this product a month ago. It sprays around 20 feet. You have to be a little creative for high spots with ladders or through windows. Most all the moss turns brown or yellow within a week or so. A second application is typically needed for those areas that are really built up about a month after the first application.

radioman · 11-16-2016, 08:44 AM

We had the same problem and obtained a product called "MOSS OUT" from Lilly Miller.
This product comes with its own spray nozzle which allows you to shoot 20 ft or so depending on the water pressure from your hose. 1 pt will cover 500 sq ft. Moss turns white in 24 hrs and then slowly sluffs off over the next several weeks. This product is easy to use and very effective but comes with a serious Warning for humans and animals. Google lillymiller. com for more details.

mcdude · 11-16-2016, 03:25 PM

If this stuff drips into the garden along the side of my house will it kill the perennials or shrubs?

SIKSUKR · 11-17-2016, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdude

If this stuff drips into the garden along the side of my house will it kill the perennials or shrubs?

From their website:
Make certain none of the mixture runs from eaves
or splashes on planted area below roofs. Where this possibility exists,
cover shrubs, flowers or lawn before making application. Where treating
walkways or patios, avoid application to adjacent lawn or plants

Blue Thunder · 11-19-2016, 07:39 AM

While applying this product from the ground is probably much easier and safer, I used a pump sprayer and my ladder. Directly applied it to the shingles and no dripping from the eaves at all. It works great.

BT

mcdude · 11-19-2016, 09:07 AM

I'm thinking of redirecting my downspouts away from the house (to insure nothing drips on shrubs or perennials) with something flexible until after the first good rainstorm or two.....that should cover it don't you think? The problem is that the downspouts empty into a "canal" that is directly next to the shrubs and stuff.

09-11-2013, 03:27 PM	#1
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	Algae or moss on roof Noticed on our garage roof - that is pretty much in the shade - that we have some algae or moss or some green glop "growing" on the shingles. Egad. It's always something! What's the best way to eradicate this problem other than installing copper across the top of the roof. I don't want to get up on the roof and think it's too high and pitched to just spray something from a leaning ladder. There is no way to scrub off what I would spray on. Any suggestions are welcome.

09-11-2013, 03:59 PM	#3
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,867 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	I have had good luck, with "Wet it and Forget" it this summer. The Moss on the roof is mostly gone after one application... I hope to do another application this weekend.... I use the leaning ladder and spray it on technique myself... You just need to follow the directions... I have also tried the "Wet it and Forget it" on my deck which is in the shade, and gets some algae / Moss growth, and it worked well there also __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

09-11-2013, 05:35 PM	#5
GTO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,085 Thanks: 338 Thanked 349 Times in 161 Posts	Wet and forget I had a lot of moss on my roof and now it's gone. You can buy it at Heaths Hardware. I have an a-frame with a very steep roof but sprayed it on myself with a garden sprayer. No scrubbing, just spray it on. __________________ GTO

09-12-2013, 09:18 AM	#8
eric richard Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: center barnstead Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	moss on roof Hi Donnamatrix, My name is Eric owner of Eric's & Phil's Home Improvement LLC. I have been doing cleaning of roof for a few years now when my roofing supply company told me about a new product thay have . It will take the moss and any other stain or algae off the roof and to prevent future incidents I install a piece of aluminum under the shingles at the top of the roof that will help with any future incidents.For one low cost it is well worth it beats putting on a new roof or cutting tree down. You can contact me at (603)923-3801 or email me and y691234@aol.com. I am fully insured and have good reference. I use this stuff all the time when my customers think thay need a new roof I clean it and put the strip in and thay got more out of there roof and saved thousands. When I install a new roof if it is in a shaded area I also install the aluminum strips at the top of roof to prevent moss or algae to grow. Feel free to contact me for a quote. Thank you Eric Richard Owner Eric's & Phil's Home Improvement LLC (603)509-3880 office (603)923-3801 cell

09-12-2013, 03:06 PM	#9
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	Another possible moss product Thanks everyone! Another product was suggested to me called "Lilly Miller Moss Out"... you buy the product so that the bottle attaches to your garden hose, no mixing. Has anyone heard of this ? This is the website. http://www.mossout.com/roofs.htm

The Following User Says Thank You to donnamatrix For This Useful Post:
SteveO123 (11-15-2016)

09-11-2013, 03:58 PM	#2
Diana Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 65 Thanks: 345 Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts	Trim your trees. Get some sunshine on there.

09-11-2013, 04:04 PM	#4
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,296 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,080 Times in 952 Posts	Here is a prior thread. As LIforrelaxin says, Wet and Forget does the job. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ight=moss+roof

The Following User Says Thank You to GTO For This Useful Post:
Blue Thunder (09-15-2013)

09-12-2013, 04:40 PM	#10
eric richard Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: center barnstead Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	moss on roof Hi it all depends on how bad the moss it you may still need to get up on the roof to scrap it off. When I do it I us a broom to scrap the moss off going down do not go up you don't want to push it under the shingles that what damage the shingles.I have never used that product so I don't know how good it will work. Thanks Eric

09-13-2013, 10:04 PM	#11
kauriel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Laconia, N. MA Posts: 290 Thanks: 119 Thanked 62 Times in 44 Posts	I looked up to see if wet & forget is safe for pets and found a $5 rebate offer: http://wetandforget.com/wet_and_foge...ar_rebate.html For anyone wondering - they indicate it's pet safe once it dries (about 4 - 5 hours after application). We are planning on using it on our shed roof and our dogs frequent the area around the shed. Hopefully it is as safe as they claim!

The Following User Says Thank You to kauriel For This Useful Post:
HellRaZoR004 (09-13-2013)

09-16-2013, 08:12 PM	#12
1helpfulhandyman Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Moss on roof The best thing to do is to get Zink flashing by the roll. The first row of shingles below the cap (top of roof) is where you install the zink. When it rains a small amount of zink is released and flows down the roof. It will kill the moss and prevent it from growing again. Google zink flashing and you will get an education on moss prevention. Copper will also work but is much more expensive. Drive around and look at others roofs that are stained or have moss. If they have a skylight in the roof, below the skylight the roof will be clean. This is the rain releasing some copper (the flashing on the skylight is copper) and it and prevents stains and moss. Zink works even better. The spray on cleaners are only a temporary fix. Never power wash the roof as it will remove granules and shorten the life of the roof. I have installed zink a few times myself and it always works well. If you dont remove the heavy moss with a broom it may take a year or so for the moss to die and get flushed off the roof by rain. Good Luck !

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to 1helpfulhandyman For This Useful Post:
ApS (11-16-2016), HellRaZoR004 (09-16-2013)

09-17-2013, 04:46 PM	#13
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	I just hit my roof with bleach mixed water (4 parts water to 1 bleach) applied in a bug poison pressurized sprayer (not a high pressure wash as it'll wreck your shingles). Worked great and bleach is real cheap. Only thing you have to be careful of is not getting that stuff all over yourself. I have read mixing water, bleach and trisodium phosphate works well too.

The Following User Says Thank You to LIforrelaxin For This Useful Post:
kauriel (09-20-2013)

09-20-2013, 05:52 PM	#15
Fargo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Winni Posts: 215 Thanks: 36 Thanked 130 Times in 38 Posts	Wet and Forget Today I sprayed the roof and patio with Wet and Forget. Smells better than bleach. I'll report back in a month as to how it is working to get rid of the moss.

11-15-2016, 11:22 AM	#17
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,444 Thanks: 339 Thanked 118 Times in 95 Posts	How to use 'Wet & Forget' or 'Spray & Forget It' ? https://www.sprayandforget.com/ and http://www.homedepot.com/p/Spray-For...SPRY/206921329 I know this product comes in a container that attaches to garden hose, but exactly how far will the spray extend ? Concerned on how far it will reach ? Thanks, BD

The Following User Says Thank You to bigdog For This Useful Post:
KPW (11-16-2016)

11-15-2016, 10:54 PM	#18
Meredith AK Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Beautiful Town of Meredith Posts: 108 Thanks: 38 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts	Wet it and forget it Just used this product a month ago. It sprays around 20 feet. You have to be a little creative for high spots with ladders or through windows. Most all the moss turns brown or yellow within a week or so. A second application is typically needed for those areas that are really built up about a month after the first application.

11-16-2016, 08:44 AM	#19
radioman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilford Posts: 216 Thanks: 6 Thanked 75 Times in 50 Posts	Roof Moss We had the same problem and obtained a product called "MOSS OUT" from Lilly Miller. This product comes with its own spray nozzle which allows you to shoot 20 ft or so depending on the water pressure from your hose. 1 pt will cover 500 sq ft. Moss turns white in 24 hrs and then slowly sluffs off over the next several weeks. This product is easy to use and very effective but comes with a serious Warning for humans and animals. Google lillymiller. com for more details.

11-16-2016, 03:25 PM	#20
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	If this stuff drips into the garden along the side of my house will it kill the perennials or shrubs? __________________

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to SIKSUKR For This Useful Post:
mcdude (11-17-2016), SteveO123 (11-19-2016)

11-19-2016, 07:39 AM	#22
Blue Thunder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine Posts: 951 Thanks: 252 Thanked 351 Times in 158 Posts	While applying this product from the ground is probably much easier and safer, I used a pump sprayer and my ladder. Directly applied it to the shingles and no dripping from the eaves at all. It works great. BT __________________ " Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"

11-19-2016, 09:07 AM	#23
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	I'm thinking of redirecting my downspouts away from the house (to insure nothing drips on shrubs or perennials) with something flexible until after the first good rainstorm or two.....that should cover it don't you think? The problem is that the downspouts empty into a "canal" that is directly next to the shrubs and stuff. __________________