Moss growth on a rooftop can weigh down roofing materials and cause them to become damaged. If your home is located in a shady area that receives a lot of rain throughout the year and moss has begun to grow on some of the asphalt shingles as a result, remove it by completing the following steps. Once the moss has been eliminated, protect the roofing materials from new moss growth.

Materials

• water hose
• hand rake
• stiff-bristled scrub brush
• ladder
• roof cleaning agent
• roof measurement
• copper or zinc strip
• nail gun
• roofing nails

Soak The Shingles To Remove The Moss 

Set up a ladder near the area where the moss is located. Soak the shingles that have been affected with a water hose for several minutes. The water will help soften the moss so that it isn't difficult to remove from the shingles. Use a hand rake to lift large pieces of moss from each shingle. Pull the rake's tines through the moss while pulling the handle of the tool towards yourself. If some of the fragments of moss are not removed with the tool, move a stiff-bristled scrub brush over them.

Clean The Shingles With A Product That Is Designed For Roofs

Remove any stains from the shingles with a roof cleaning agent and a scrub brush. Read the instructions on the cleaning agent's container to determine how it needs to be prepared. Some products need to be diluted in water before being applied to asphalt shingles. Once the cleaning agent has been applied, wait a few minutes for it to penetrate the stains. Move a scrub brush, using a back and forth motion, over each of them. Rinse the roof off with a water hose and wait for the shingles to dry.

Secure A Copper Or Zinc Strip To The Roof

A copper or zinc strip will prevent moss from growing on the shingles in the future. Copper or zinc will be emitted from either strip when it rains and coat the shingles, making conditions unfavorable for moss growth. They also will prevent black streaks associated with mildew from appearing.

Purchase a strip that is as long as the length of the rooftop and insert the top portion of it underneath the bottom of each shingle that runs across the top of your home's roof. Secure the strip with roofing nails. Place the nails across the strip in several locations. Once you have finished, the roofing materials will remain moss-free and severe staining will not become an issue.

To learn more, contact a roofing company like Pyramid Roofing Inc.