• Looking for a smarter way to manage your heating this winter? We’ve been testing the new Aqara Radiator Thermostat W600 to see how quiet, accurate and easy it is to use around the home. Click here read our review.

Thompson's Water Seal on roof to prevent moss?

R

RigidRaider

Joined
9 Aug 2006
Messages
1,727
Reaction score
121
Location
Lancashire
Country
United Kingdom
Howdy, first post on the roofing section of DIYnot.

North-facing extension roof of cement tiles has masses of moss between the tiles and around the flashing. A few years I climbed up and scraped it all out, a messy, tedious and tiring job but I'm at ease on roofs thanks to being a climber - I protect myself with a climbing rope thrown over the ridge and tied to something solid.

Don't want to use weed killer because we drain straight into a brook under the house.

Don't want to jet wash because that will attack the surface of the cement tiles, which already release sand when you abrade them.

Going to do it again soon but I'm wondering if I could delay the re-growth of the moss by spraying some spare Thompson's Water Seal on the roof to make it a little less able to hold moisture.

What do you think?
 
Sounds reasonable especially not using weedkiller or pressure washer.
If you search on here for COPPER RIDGE you'll find some interesting stuff about copper ridge being quite good at keeping moss at bay
With the Thompson's, I'd clear a small section manually (the same way you did it last time) then treat half the cleaned section & see if it makes any difference over 6 months or so (and see if it causes any other problems)
 
And it'd be really handy if you posted back on this thread in 6 months or so with the outcome of the experiment..... not a unique set of circumstances I'm sure :)
 
Apart from moisture, the other ingredient for moss is shade. If the roof wasn't north-facing then you probably wouldn't have the moss problem. If there are trees putting the roof in even more shade and you've been thinking about removing them (if they're not protected) go for it - the more UV light reaching the roof the less moss you'll have.
 
No, the roof gets no sun and stays damp for a long time as the westerlies don't dry it. On top of that a tank overflow dripped on to it for a few months until I realised what was happening and went up and bent the ballcock arm down. I'm worried that the accumulation of moss in the gaps between the tiles may actually be forcing them to move outboard slightly.

I will report back next year.
 
Well, I've been checking this thread every day for a decade! We're dying to know how you got on with the Thompson's Water Seal roof tile experiment! Please tell!!
 
Lol. Guess so! Maybe he got confused and used a can of super glue?
 
Poster #2 recommended using Copper Ridge - a very poor recommendation in environmental terms.
Rain run-off causes copper sulphate which is bad news for plants, and very bad news when the sulphate mixes with streams and rivers because it will kill fish & living things.
 
Duly noted. On the subject of the environment, does anyone else find the hypocrisy of this government absolutely galling? They build housing estates on our green fields and then tell us not to cut our lawns for three months to 'save the butterflies'!
 
I've seen copper strip in lightening conductors for many years.

It would be interesting to know how many mg of copper get into the environment from a strip on a house each year

Water runs through copper pipes in my house.
 
Ah, I'd assumed that 'Copper Ridge' was a liquid chemical product. I don't think actual copper components fitted to a roof would pose any danger!?
 
Ollyfp said:
I don't think actual copper components fitted to a roof would pose any danger!?
Click to expand...
Well, the supposed principle is that copper corrosion products get washed down from the copper strip along the roof ridge and deter moss growth. So presumably some would get into the water system eventually. The jury seems to be out as to whether the strip is as effective as claimed.
 
Poster #12,
If Copper Ridge can kill the moss on the roof then it can kill the flora & fauna below the roof and beyond.

Copper pipe particles have been entering human bodies since Cu pipe has been used for drinking water -
it can cause illness - just like the banned lead previously used in Cu solder.

Why do you go off page & mention lightening conductors - could it be you've absorbed too much copper?
 

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top