Look along almost any street around Selby, York or Goole and you will see roofs with cushions of green moss. Yorkshire’s damp, mild weather suits it perfectly. A little moss is mainly cosmetic, but left to spread it can cause real problems.
How moss damages a roof
- It holds water. Moss soaks up rain like a sponge and keeps tiles wet long after a shower.
- Frost damage. Trapped water freezes and expands, which can crack tiles or lift them out of line.
- Blocked gutters. Clumps of moss wash or fall into gutters and downpipes, causing overflows and damp walls.
- Lifted tiles and leaks. On heavily covered roofs, moss can grow under tile edges and let water in.
Which roofs are most at risk?
North-facing slopes, roofs shaded by trees, and older concrete or clay tiles with rough surfaces collect the most moss. Pantile roofs, common on older village homes, hold it in their curves. Roofs near open farmland also catch more spores and debris.
Why we don’t pressure wash roofs
Pressure washing is quick, which is why some firms offer it. But it can blast the protective surface off concrete tiles, leaving them more porous and quicker to grow moss again, and it can drive water up under tiles. On older roofs it can break tiles outright.
We remove moss by hand with scrapers and soft brushes, working with the tiles. It takes longer, but it protects the roof.
After the moss has gone
Moss removal always shifts debris into the gutters, so we clear them afterwards. Keeping gutters clean each year and cutting back overhanging branches both help slow regrowth.
See our roof moss removal service, or book it with agutter clean.
Quick answers
- Does moss damage roof tiles?
- It can. Moss holds water against the tiles; in frost that water expands and can crack or lift them. Falling moss also blocks gutters.
- Should I pressure wash my roof?
- We advise against it. High pressure can strip the surface of concrete tiles, damage older clay tiles and force water underneath.
- How quickly does moss grow back?
- It depends on shade and trees. Many roofs stay clear for a few years after careful removal, especially if gutters are kept clean.