Why Is Moss Growing On Roof Tiles

Likewise moisture that is held by lichen or moss can freeze in cold weather and cause cracks in your roofing much like potholes that form in roads.

Why is moss growing on roof tiles.

Moisture and organic debris. Known as black algae or roof mold gloeocapsa magma is usually blamed on dirt accumulation mold and mildew or defective shingles. The presence or absence of sunlight dictates the amount of moss or algae growth. Particularly where the roofing materials are asphalt shingles or wood shingles holding water on the roof surface by any means leaves debris moss or lichens speeds up wear on these shingles.

If the moss growth is allowed to develop further it can become a problem for the roof for a number of reasons. Moss is a plant without roots. Another critical factor is the amount of shade your roof receives. Furthermore moss likes to grow on cement and can agitate the bond between ridge apex tiles and your roof.

Moss is a very quick growing plant. It s actually just a blue green algae spread by airborne spores. The more water and the more debris the greater the chance of moss growth. If you remove moss from the roof then you will reduce the possibility of tiles suffering from winter cracks.

Moss thrives in damp shady areas normally growing on north facing surfaces including roofs. If you have moss on your roof it s likely because your roof is shaded by trees or other structures allowing moisture to linger and moss to grow. These can find their way under your tiles or tiles and force them to warp shift or crack. Moss is a non vascular plant that absorbs water through its leaves instead of roots.

Moss growing on a roof may or may not be considered attractive or quaint but there is no doubt that extensive moss on a roof can seriously damage the roof by growing under and raising or loosening. Moss grows something known as rhizoids which basically act as roots. Moss alone cannot damage the tiles. Most roofs will experience moss or lichen growth and small patches of growth are usually not a problem.

Although mosses are vital to ecosystems they re not particularly vital to roofs. It produces spores carried by the wind which is how it can end up on your roof. Moss acts like a sponge absorbing large amounts of moisture and resulting in your roof being constantly wet. Moss thrives in cool damp environments.

The problem of moss on a roof arises because of moss s sponge like disposition. This means that it needs flowing water in order to reproduce and survive and provides a great indication as to why you won t find moss on an area of a roof that receives a large amount of sun. Moss absorbs and retains water. It is easily spread and causes those colorful stains on so many roofs.