At first glance, moss growing on your roof might seem like no big deal. Some people even view moss as giving their home a nice natural look. But the truth is that moss isn’t harmless because it traps moisture against your asphalt shingles, which can damage them and shorten the life of your roofing system.
Moss is one of the most common roofing problems for Burnaby residents due to the constant rainfall, high humidity, and tree-lined streets. By understanding how moss affects your roof, you’ll be able to take preventative measures to protect your home and save yourself from costly repairs down the road. For this reason, regular roofing maintenance is an essential service to ensure your roof lasts for years to come.
Why Moss Grows So Easily in Burnaby
There are many factors that make Burnaby ideal for moss growth. These include frequent rainy days, cooler temperatures, and shaded rooftops, all of which consistently create damp conditions.
Homes under mature trees are particularly susceptible since the leaves and branches block sunlight and don’t give your roof enough opportunity to fully dry off each time it rains. Furthermore, leaves and debris that fall on your roof trap moisture and provide the ideal conditions for moss to grow. North-facing roof slopes tend to experience the most moss growth, since they get less sunlight during the day.
Once moss starts growing, it will continue to spread unless it is removed.
How Moss Damages Asphalt Shingles
Unlike dirt and algae that simply sit on top of asphalt shingles, moss is spongy and retains water directly against the roofing material. When asphalt shingles remain wet for a prolonged period, they age much more quickly than usual.
The continued exposure to excessive moisture deteriorates the outer layer of protection on asphalt shingles. In addition, once the moss gets thick enough, it can lift the shingles, allowing wind to get underneath them and increasing the likelihood that water will reach the layers below.
The longer the moss stays on your roof, the higher the chance that moisture will find its way beneath the shingles.
Moss Causes Granule Loss
Mineral granules cover the top of asphalt shingles, protecting them from sunlight and harsh weather. When moss grows across the surface, it creates friction and traps water against those granules.
During heavy rain or strong winds, or if the roof is cleaned too aggressively, the granules are more likely to loosen and fall off. Once granules are lost, the shingles lose their protective coating, so problems occur faster than usual, decreasing the lifespan of your entire roofing system.
If you find large amounts of granules in your gutters, moss may be contributing to the issue.
Increased Moisture Leads to Roof Leaks
Moss creates more problems than just aesthetic changes to your roof.
One major issue that moss creates is that it interferes with how water drains off of your roof. Instead of allowing water to flow quickly into your gutters as intended, moss holds water against the roof and creates a potential pathway for water to seep behind damaged shingles and into sensitive areas of your roof.
By the time you see signs of water intrusion inside your home, such as water stains on ceilings or walls, moisture may already have reached the roof deck, insulation, or attic.
What Happens If Moss Is Left Untreated?
Ignoring moss won’t save you money. Typically, it ends up costing you much more in repairs down the line.
Over time, untreated moss will continue to spread across your roof and trap moisture between the shingles, causing them to wear out faster, allowing the flashing to deteriorate, and making your roof more prone to leaks.
Additionally, untreated moss may cause:
- Premature shingle failure
- Rotting wood underneath the roofing materials
- Mould growth in your attic
- More costly maintenance and repairs
- Reduced overall lifespan of your roof
Roof cleaning and moss removal in Burnaby are cheaper than repairing water damage caused by years of neglected moss growth.
How to Remove Moss Safely
Many homeowners are tempted to pressure wash moss off their roof, but this is actually one of the fastest ways to damage asphalt shingles because it removes the protective granules that shingles rely on to resist weather and sunlight. Even if the moss disappears, the roof may suffer permanent damage.
A safer approach involves gently removing moss using roofing products specifically designed for asphalt shingles and allowing the treatment to kill remaining growth before carefully cleaning the roof.
The professional Burnaby roof cleaning and moss removal performed by the roofers at Canuck Roofing protects the shingles while removing moss without causing unnecessary wear.
How to Prevent Moss from Coming Back
While moss can eventually regrow, proper maintenance can greatly reduce the likelihood of it returning.
Trimming overhanging tree branches is one way to increase sunlight on your roof, reducing the amount of time it takes for your roof to dry after every rainfall.
Another effective method to reduce moss is to clean gutters. This will improve drainage around the perimeter of your roof and prevent water from backing up along the edge of your roof.
Routine roof inspections can help you catch small areas of moss growth before they spread to other sections of your roof.
Proper maintenance is far less complicated and more cost-effective than dealing with extensive moss growth on your roof.
Regular Roof Maintenance Protects Your Investment
Moss is one of the most common roofing problems homeowners face in Burnaby, but it’s also one of the easiest to manage when caught early.
Routine maintenance allows roofing professionals to remove moss safely, inspect shingles for hidden damage, and identify small issues before they become leaks. Keeping your roof clean not only improves its appearance but also helps it perform as designed for many years.
Don’t Let Moss Shorten the Life of Your Roof
Moss causes much more than just visual changes to your roofing system. In reality, it traps excess moisture, compromises the integrity of your asphalt shingles, creates areas that are more prone to leaks, and shortens the lifespan of your roofing system.
If you observe any signs of moss growth on your roof, addressing the problem as soon as possible can help reduce the risk of costly roof repairs. Regular roof maintenance for Burnaby homes helps keep asphalt shingles in good condition and protects your home from the ongoing effects of excessive moisture.