How to Remove Moss From Your Roof

Cleaning moss growing on roof shingles is going to be a messy job. Water will splatter, and the green moss may end up on your clothes, possibly causing staining. Wear old clothing or a painter’s coverall. 

Before starting, It’s important to understand that climbing onto your roof is dangerous; there’s the possibility of a slip and fall from this height, so this is not a job for everyone.

To clean the moss properly, you must climb onto the roof, so find some slip-resistant shoes. You’ll also want rubber gloves and a good pair of eye goggles. A harness is important safety gear as long as you know how to use it properly. If you’re uncomfortable working at tall heights, hire a pro to get this job done safely.

Place your ladder against the side of the house in a spot near the moss and where you can climb onto the roof easily. Once you’re on the roof, secure your safety harness, and you’re set to start removing the moss from the roof.

Using a garden hose with a low- to medium-pressure stream, start spraying the moss at the top-most peak in the roof. Continually work the spray at a downward angle to loosen and blast off the moss. Don’t use a pressure washing machine with shingles, as the powerful stream could damage your roof.

Next, use a long-handle, soft-bristle scrub brush to carefully scrape the remaining wet moss downwards toward the edge of your roof and the gutters. Be sure to brush gently and in a downward motion to protect your shingles from lifting upward.

Rinse the surface of your roof again using your hose on low-to-medium pressure. You may need to use your brush occasionally to help remove stubborn moss patches. Give it a final once over with the hose, and you’re all set.

Unfortunately, simply rinsing the moss away doesn’t guarantee the moss won’t grow back quickly. You can add a moss-killing product a couple of days after removing it to prevent it from growing back on the roof.

To apply the product, the roof should be completely dry with no rain in the forecast for several hours. Use a pump sprayer with a small jug that you can carry safely onto the roof.

You can buy a cleaning product from a home improvement store or online retailer. You also can make the cleanser yourself out of dish soap and warm water. You could use 1/2 cup of oxygen bleach mixed with 4 gallons of warm water.

After spraying, leave the product on the roof without rinsing it. This product should help you prevent moss from growing on a roof again for several weeks.

You have several options for moss disposal, depending on how decayed it is. For moss without too much decay, you can repurpose it, such as adding it to your flower pots or hanging baskets. You can try drying it out and using it for decoration around your home or selling it to local artisans who can find a use for it.

If you don’t need it directly for your garden or decorating, you can add it to the compost and mix it in with other composting materials. Keep in mind, this may cause a regrowth, so the best approach may be to put moss in a separate compost bin if possible. 

Lastly, if it’s already decayed, you can simply throw it away in your household trash. If it’s a substantial amount of moss, consider a dumpster rental, especially if you have other projects going on, or hire a junk removal service to do the hauling for you. It’s a quick way to dispose of yard waste, including moss, all at once.