Moss, tons of it!

[JDLDIY]

Hi there, the subject kind of speaks for itself I guess - my 40 year old house has an ageing concrete pantile roof which has loads of moss on it. I reckon the added weight this is causing, plus the fact that it keeps the roof wetter for longer in wet weather, means I should attend to it as soon as possible and just wondered before I get started if anyone had done this and had any tips. What is the best method for one thing, tools to use etc.

The other thing is I have noticed a few cracks in the mortar used to seal the tiles at the edge of the roof and in the mortar adhering some of the ridge tiles. It's constantly damp up here in the north west, so raking out the mortar and refilling could be a problem before the spring. Any thoughts? I have heard that there are some sealants for this sort of thing on the market, maybe I could do a temporary repair using something like that,with a view to doing the job properly in dry weather.

Many thanks for your thoughts.

 

[masona]

I wouldn't recommend it for average diy'er as you more likely to have accident as it quite a dangerous job to do and you would need a harness connect to the top of the roof via scaffolding etc.The moss will make the roof tiles slippery.Best to leave it with the professional company who specialise this trade.See this for example.

During the year 2002, 425,000 people have fallen of ladder and roof.

 

[JDLDIY]

Thanks for the reply masona. Wise words about the safety factor indeed, I am being very careful however.

To be frank, the companies I have seen advertising this sort of removal service charge a fortune, which I don't want to spend at the moment. Anyone else tackled this job?

Cheers

Jon

 

[masona]

Then make sure you have scaffolding put up and maybe with a long handle stiff brush so you don't have to walk on the roof.I have seen high water pressure jet been done before but you must do your 'Risk Assessment' first for safely

 

[breezer]

if you had scafholding put up (not a tower) you could tell the company you need access to the roof and perhaps they could make "steps" for you

 

[masona]

That's a good idea,you could also use a roof ladder with a harness but I don't want you having a accident

 

[JDLDIY]

Well, I have been using ladders and roof ladders, with harness equipment, to remove a chimney already, so I'm pretty used to working on the roof. I've already been scraping away at the moss on about a third of one side, which works but takes some time. I see from the "roofcare" advert posted above that the commercial guys put some sort of sealant and anti-fungal liquids on as well so I might look into that. Not sure that I fancy using a pressure sprayer up there myself, I don't own one anyway.

 

[Scoby_Beasley]

Try spraying with Jeyes fluid one day, brush/ scrape/ hose the next day, worked on our concrete yard floor.

 

[JDLDIY]

Thanks Scoby, what is Jeyes fluid and where might I get it? Cheers

 

[Scoby_Beasley]

Thanks Scoby, what is Jeyes fluid and where might I get it? Cheers

It's a general garden disinfectant, get it from any D.I.Y or garden centre. Instructions on the can will tell you what strength to dilute it to, but in your case I'd mix it a bit stronger than recommended, it does kill moss very effectively.

 

[JDLDIY]

Brilliant!! Thanks I'll be giving this a go as soon as the weather improves.

Jon

 

[Syd]

Apparently COPPER is a good moss preventative. I am planning to attach strips of it along the top of my bathroom roof. (It is a single storey lean-to roof & faces North East). It gets loads of moss every year. Only has sunlight for a couple of hours each morning.

Q. Does copper and lead react with each other (like steel and aluminium does) ? I was thinking of putting the copper strips along the bottom of the lead flashing...

 

[breezer]

I was thinking of putting the copper strips along the bottom of the lead flashing...

you could tell every one its a lightning conductor

 

[GwaiLo]

Syd, all metals react when in contact with each other due to the electrical potential difference.

The greater the potential difference the greater the reaction. Unfortunately I don't have a table to hand, but essentially it would be wise not to let the copper and lead come into contact with each other.

If one has to use metals together in building design it is good practice to choose those that have the least potential difference and design with sacrificial corrosion in mind.

 

[supersparks]

lead is low on the reactivity series, it is extracted using carbon monoxide and heat, copper is extracted by electrolysis, so the copper would react with the lead, but wouldent worry about it, unless you intend heating them with a blow torch, you will be waiting your lifetime to see any reaction , but whatever rocks your boat