How To Clean Moss Off Slate Roof

Hose off and brush all moss loose from your roof shingles.

How to clean moss off slate roof.

With moss and algae type growth a soft brush a hose sprayer and a lot of elbow grease will get it off. Moss can tear through slate shingles with its roots and can promote excess dampness that rots the wood beneath your slate shingles. There are many ways to remove moss that tends to grow in shaded areas. We ve heard that a 24 ft extension pole and a 12 5 inch wall washer can work well when attached to a pressure washer.

Carefully place a ladder near the area of moss growth and don slip resistant shoes old clothes rubber gloves and eye. Cleaning asphalt shingles of clumps of moss or algae that have taken root in the roof can feel like an overwhelming endeavor. Clean slate roofs in hot weather so they dry fast or at least on a clear day with plenty of sunlight. Run a hose fitted with a spray nozzle up to the roof.

With more severe environmental staining from tree sap and or pollution you may need a pressure washer 3800psi. Set up a ladder so you can access the roof. If you have moss mold or rust spots that are reachable gently scrub them with a medium stiff brush and a solution of 1 4 cup general household cleaner to one gallon of water. Use the tool to gently lift away matted moss that has gathered on the flat sections of the shingles.

Use heavy rubber gloves to scoop up material in areas you can safely reach. Once the moss has been thoroughly eradicated from the roof take steps to keep moss from returning. Climb up to the roof and begin scraping off dead moss from the shingles using a putty knife or painter s 5 in 1 tool and working from the bottom up. In the seams use the sharp edge of the scraper like a dental pick to force out the moss.

Point the hose towards the top of the roof and rinse off the moss killing solution along with the dead moss.