While lichens don t damage the structure of roof tiles they can stain the surface of the roof as well as trap moisture.
How do you remove lichen from roof tiles.
Most professional roofers advise that it is possible to do more damage to the roof by trying to remove lichen than the lichen will ever do to harm the roof.
Lichen avoids galvanized steel copper and zinc because these metals work as a natural biocide.
You can remove moss and lichens from your roof by using vinegar as a environmentally friendly weedkiller.
We re talking about lichen mould and moss.
Roof lichen or more regularly recognized roof moss or algae is a very common sight on many shingled or tiles roofs whilst appearing more like a cosmetic problem the roof lichen can cause serious harm to your roof.
These unwelcome plants and fungi transform your roof into something out of an alien sci fi flick.
So if you attempt to remove it with a hand tool you may accidentally remove the protective top layer of your roof shingles as well.
Lichen accumulation on roofs is really a minor problem that will not hurt the roof.
Moisture increases the chance of mold growth which can damage the roof tiles.
Scraping moss off the roof.
Several natural remedies can kill the lichens and restore the look of your roof tiles.
Moss itself is a plant while lichen conisist of a fungus and a photosyntheizing plant living together.
Roof moss and lichen are not only unsightly but can damage the roof over time.
It holds moisture and can cause roofs to bend and bow inward and eventually collapse if left untreated.
When leaves and other material collect on your roof a perfect bed is formed for moss and lichens to grow.
Before proceeding with any remedial work to remove moss or lichen we would recommend speaking to a roofing maintenance professional.
Always use a stable ladder and safety harness when climbing on the roof.
Moss can be scraped off by hand but this must be performed with caution to avoid damaging roof tiles particularly in the case of timber or asphalt shingles.