Having moss on your roof can be a real eyesore. Not only that, it poses a range of problems for your property. But why is it there in the first place? And is there anything you can do to prevent it developing? That’s exactly what we’ll explore in this post.

The problems with moss

Moss does far more than simply ruin the appearance of your home. It stops rainwater flowing off your roof and can even hold that water after the rain has stopped.

Depending on the species, moss can hold up to 20 times its dry weight in water, which keeps moisture on your roofing materials and can weaken them over time. Naturally, this also means a lot more pressure on your roof from the added load.

On top of all that, the moisture held by moss can cause cracks to emerge when the temperature drops. Water can get into cracks and expand when it freezes, creating even bigger problems for your roof and your property.

There are also additional problems for your gutters, whether it’s moss falling into them or growing directly within. Moss will create a blockage in your gutters which could lead to an overflow of water onto walls and foundations.

Why it’s there

In most cases, moss gets onto your roof when you live near a lot of trees. Unlike money, moss frequently grows on trees – their trunks, branches and the area surrounding them. It can easily spread to nearby homes and begin developing on your roof.

However, moss can also grow in areas where trees aren’t such a common sight. The flowerless plants can be directed up to a mile away from tree laden areas. That’s why it’s such a common problem in the UK, as most homes are situated within a mile of trees.

How to deal with it

Given that moss literally grows on trees, it’s not something you can prevent by making a small change to your property or your lifestyle. However, you can stop it in its tracks when you see it developing.

The best course of action to prevent moss from becoming problematic is simply to have it removed. No – we don’t mean DIY removal. Any work involving your roof is dangerous to both you and your property without the proper training.

Instead, you can have your roof inspected annually by professionals. That way, they can deal with any moss that’s grown over the course of the year and check for any other problems at the same time.

Can we help?

If you need to have moss removed from your roof in Wakefield, DPR Roofing can help. We provide a comprehensive range of professional roofing services for commercial and domestic properties in Wakefield and the surrounding areas.

Our team of expert roofers will perform a thorough inspection of your roof and get rid of any moss in an instant. Call us today for a no-obligation quote.