Beyond the physical damage that moss and lichens can cause to a roof, their presence can also indicate the existence of mold spores that, in turn, can cause mold growth. Beyond protecting the health of a roof, removing moss can protect the health of the home in general and the people who live there. When moss grows in abundance, it becomes a heavy blanket on top of the roof that traps water and moisture and causes rot, bacteria and mold growth. While not a major problem for your health, this growth can significantly shorten the lifespan of the roof.
Roof mold is also an invitation to rodents and creatures that feed on mold and roof materials. Debris can clog gutters and start to form mold. This humid environment can also further accelerate the development of moss. It is seen in the forest, growing on tree trunks.
It's not harmful to you. However, it is bad for moss to grow on the roof, as it causes damage to the roof. Consequently, this causes roof leaks, which will cause mold growth. This mold is the culprit that can harm your health.
The roof leak will also entail a cost of repairing and maintaining the roof. The new asphalt roofing shingles are available with an inclusion of chemicals that resist the growth of moss, lichens, algae and even fungi. Mold is often the result of algae growth. In rainy and humid climates, algae (and other botanical growths, such as moss and lichens) can take root and grow quickly on roofs.
This causes roofing materials to remain moist, which promotes putrefaction. When rotting starts, mold can also appear. Even without rain, the warm and humid climate creates ideal conditions for rapid mold growth. If there is a lot of rotting on the roof due to moss, mold can penetrate roofing materials.
When shade and cold, humid conditions combine, mosses or lichens are more likely to grow on the roof surface. But for practical purposes, any algae that grows on any surface of the roof will create a stain that can be black, brown, green or bluish under different light conditions and, more seriously, any metal or membrane roof that has algae growing is just waiting for a rainy day to see you slip and slide off the roof ceiling surface, so be careful. Every time a major storm hits your area, whether it's a snow storm, a snow storm, or a hurricane, you should contact a roofing professional to inspect your roof the moment the storm has passed. The longer you let mold, lichen, or moss grow, the more likely you are to need additional roof restoration.
If you have moss on your roof, you'll usually find it on northern slopes, in addition to trees that stick out or protruding sections of the roof that cause shade and allow moisture to stay around and for moss to grow. Similarly, if debris, such as a branch, falls on the roof and is not removed for an extended period, this can delay the drainage of rain from the roof. Measures to prevent or slow the growth of moss on roof shingles also work just as well to prevent lichens from growing. It will take time for moss to damage the roof and cause a leak, leading to many other problems that can harm your health and safety.
In 3-4 weeks, you'll see the moss start to turn more brown or gray and, as the moss dies, it disappears. If there are trees facing your house, consider pruning the branches that hang over the roof to prevent moss from growing. When it comes to the structural integrity of a house's roof, algae and roof mold are two of the biggest enemies. .
