Moss preventer for concrete roof tiles

Need Help21 · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 177 Location: United Kingdom

Fellow DIYers,

My property’s roof currently has a thick covering of moss. Soon I am commissioning a local firm to remove the moss by scraping.

Can someone suggest a product that can be applied to concrete roof tiles which is non-staining and prevents the future forming of moss. A readily available product would be preferable.

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards

Need Help21

Deluks · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:29 pm

Waste of time really, as moss does no harm. Copper will kill moss, running some copper wire along the top of the roof has been previously mentioned as a solution. When it rains the copper leaches out magic moss repellant!

Mikepeters · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:02 pm

Unknown by many, you can not actually kill moss, only supress it's grown with moss inhibitors. It will survive......
Forget B'N'Q off the shelf killer stuff, you need a pro-solution only available via a trader. By scraping you are simply cutting the lawn, and you know what happens when you cut the lawn. Moss has been a favorite subject of many a graduate (me being one) and it can form a root system into granite, go without water for years, get submersed for months, and even grow in space shuttles, so you old concrete roof tiles have little chance. One reason for it's success in recent years is the reduction in acid rain, the temperate climate and the lack of long freeze or hot summers in our weather systems. If your roof is over 30 years old your tiles will allow a natural rooting plaform that will be enhanced by scraping. Copper wire can help, but fitted to the ridge it will only work on the first one or two tiles. (see acid rain). There are some good inhibitors about give me a PM or search u-tube for roof cleaning. Think about a good power washing roof cleaning co, and decide if a regular 18-24 month anti-fungal treatment program is acceptable, or go for a breathable, waterproofer with moss inhibitor added. NOTE: even a new roof will get mossy within 2-4 years, in a mossy area.

PS: Moss-go treatment 25ltrs £48 ish (enough for 120-150 sq mtrs:>) hope this helps.

^woody^ · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:04 pm

Yes swap moss for green staining!

The moss will grow on particular tiles in particular locations, and AFAIK, there is no permanent solution.

In fact sedum roofs are all the rage. Just add a wind turbine to be really hip

datarebal · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:59 pm

Copper wire is limited in run off.. Copper strip along the ridge does actually work and has been used for years and years on churches etc
It will take some time to kill off established moss. Any staining is not noticable..

Need Help21 · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 177 Location: United Kingdom

DIY'ers

Thanks for your responses so far.

datarebal, you suggest that copper strips may work on established moss, do you feel that installation of copper strips would remove the need to scrape in the first place?

Can you please suggest thickness and lengths of the copper strip

Kind Regards

Need Help21

datarebal · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:10 pm

To be honest I really do not agree with scraping,jet washing etc It damages the surface more than the growing moss.
Copper does work, The only time it is awkward is if you have a hipped roof..

Search the net there is bound to be companies that specialise in it.. (there are but i'm not posting the link)

Mikepeters · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:38 pm

roof-coaters offer a treatment that has a 10 year warranty. seals and waterproofs the tiles too. search on google they are there somewhere

noseall · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:42 am

Mikepeters wrote:

roof-coaters offer a treatment that has a 10 year warranty. seals and waterproofs the tiles too. search on google they are there somewhere

is there any such thing as a 10yr old roof coating company?

Mikepeters · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:13 pm

hmmmmn good question............ how many years have you been a know it all or does it just come natural like ? ???

The Roofer · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 23 Location: United Kingdom

Is roof coating even a Trade? I have seen it being done only over the past few years right enough . The lads don't just use it on roofs though they also paint your full property with the stuff.

Someone once told me it was a new breathable rubber non fungal multi purpose multi colors liquid solution guaranteed for 50+ . So then I put the phone down . I hate those cold callers.

Mikepeters · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:18 pm

for every Roy Rogers theres a sheriff of Nottingham, for every superman theres an coco the clown. For every invention theres a doubting Thomas that will never learn owt, whilst the old ways abound.

If a jobs worth doing, .......................