Moss on concrete garage roof - clean and coat, or not?

[NorthnotNorth]

I've not long bought a house with an asbestos concrete garage roof. This isn't leaking or anything, and I'm hoping not to replace any time soon. It does have quite a bit of moss etc. growing on it, though. I'm trying to decide whether this is best cleaned and coated with acrypol or left as is - does the moss and stuff growing on the roof reduce its life?

I appreciate that there are risks with asbestos. If I did decide to do this, I'd bear that in mind when either doing the work or getting someone in to do it! Trying to decide whether it's worth doing the work or best just leaving as is, though, first.

 

[footprints]

With asbestos if it ain't broke don't fix it is my mantra!

 

[^woody^]

Or not

 

[foxhole]

It’s fine as is , you can jet wash off the moss if you want .

 

[NorthnotNorth]

Thanks for the replies. The weathering/moss isn't something to worry about, then?

I thought power washing was recommended against nowadays (in case it causes damage or stirs up dust)?

 

[KenGMac]

NorthnotNorth, good evening.

Suggest you have a look at Copper tape or wire laid along the length of the ridge on both sides? the Copper produces Copper Sulphate that kills moss [slowly] but non-invasive

Ken

 

[StephenStephen]

http://osupress.oregonstate.edu/book/gathering-moss
Fascinating stuff; moss

It ain't broke so...

 

[KenGMac]

Now going to hi-jack this thread
I have persistent moss infestation on old[1823] tiles laid in my rear yard.
I have tried everything I can find [apart from laying copper strips--a real trip hazard]
Now going to opt to try the so called "nuclear option" Will lay a layer of black plastic [DPM Type material] over some slabs, the rational is that all plant life, including Moss must have sunlight / light to live? if it works lifting and laying some plastic must be cheaper than the Chemicals I have tried?

 

[NorthnotNorth]

NorthnotNorth, good evening.

Suggest you have a look at Copper tape or wire laid along the length of the ridge on both sides? the Copper produces Copper Sulphate that kills moss [slowly] but non-invasive

Ken

Thanks! What makes me cautious about this is reports of problems in strong wind - I live in a very windy spot....

 

[foxhole]

Thanks for the replies. The weathering/moss isn't something to worry about, then?

I thought power washing was recommended against nowadays (in case it causes damage or stirs up dust)?

Water has never caused dust.

 

[lostinthelight]

https://www.asbestosroofing.co.uk/asbestos-roof-cleaning/

 

[NorthnotNorth]

https://www.asbestosroofing.co.uk/asbestos-roof-cleaning/

Thanks. There seem to be mixed opinions on whether cleaning will help prolong the roof's life or cause more problems - e.g. https://www.aic.org.uk/asbestos-cement-faqs/ https://welshbuilds.co.uk/2018/11/05/i-have-an-asbestos-cement-garage-roof-what-shall-i-do/

Wondering whether to try applying something to kill the moss, or view it as a feature until the roof starts to leak

 

[NorthnotNorth]

At the risk of asking a stupid question - there are random bits of moss in my garden, and I'd guess some have been taken off the roof by birds. Are possible asbestos fibres there a worry?

I've attached pics of more and less mossy parts of the roof. How tricky would it be to lay a copper strip or wire along the ridge?

I'm also wondering if there's any point in painting the underside of the garage roof. I use the garage for working out in, but the underside of the roof isnt exposed to the elements or anything - so I don't know if this would do anything useful apart from change the colour...

 

[foxhole]

No risk from roof unless you start cutting it or smashing it, causing fine dust .

 

[KenGMac]

NorthnotNorth, good evening.

One discussion I heard of [OK some time ago] was,

Moss growing on an Asbestos Cement roof will hold on to the roof by a small root system.

The discussion went something like if you scrape of the moss, the embedded roots [could ! ! ! ] ??? release Asbestos Fiber into the atmosphere.

Ok that view could be looked at as being ultra cautious, also given the operation is occurring outside, any breeze will dissipate whatever small volume of fibers are released by prizing of the moss?

Ken.