Moss growth on ridge - treatment?

funkey_monkey

What is the simplest way for me to get rid of this build up on the ridge of the house?only seems to be on the sheltered side

Hens.

Jim_Hodge

You can use a proprietary moss & lichen killer but it's just weathering and it'll recur. It can add character to a building.

looksee

Its not moss, its lichen and will only grow like that, in flat patches more like stains than furry growth. I tend to agree that its best to leave it, adds character.

funkey_monkey

I was told they'd root/grow into the tiles and eventually could burst them.

looksee

Well I don't claim to be an authority on roof tiles, but I have seen a good bit of lichen and it doesn't tend to grow bulky or invasive. Moss could lift tiles I suppose - though my next door neighbour has a good bit in large humps on the roof and it doesn't seem to be doing any damage. Still, if you are concerned then as Jim Hodge says, there is proprietory stuff to get it off, just be sure to have proper roof ladders or you (or whoever goes up) easily could do damage to the tiles.

Having typed that I took a look at Google to see if there were other opinions. 100% of about 4 pages of entries say it will do damage, however in every single case they were roofing/cleaning firms saying this. I did find this

'While NFRC is a dedicated roofing trade association that has been around for over 120 years we have never recognised the practice of moss removal or roof painting as a true roofing discipline. The reason being, in most instances, moss on roof tiles is rarely a problem and only needs to be removed if it is blocking gutters, outlets and other drainage points on the roof. Most ‘techniques’ that we have come across to remove moss, are often achieved by ‘violent’ means such as power-washing, which may cause damage to the roof, especially when combined with unnecessary foot traffic often leading to cracked or broken roof tiles.' https://www.nfrc.co.uk/article/2012/09/07/moss-on-your-roof-advice

Jim_Hodge

Moss will not damage those roof tiles. What's more, that is not even moss, but litchen. No danger of damage whatsoever.

if you want rid of it you need to apply a biocide.

something like

https://www.benzsoftwash.com/products/benz-bio-cleanze-ddac-softwash-biocide?variant=39266596323405&currency=EUR&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwoJa2BhBPEiwA0l0ImGiaL4eCNgNtkANWo411NbqwZWGGI2KBwjWiFxuLkX5OpeQKl0QYxRoCnlIQAvD_BwE

Or have someone softwash the roof.