Virtue featured in the Columbian Newspaper
Preventive maintenance key to saving shingles
The Columbian Newspaper
BY BRIAN T. SMITH, Columbian Staff writer
Soft, fuzzy, slow and green, moss definitely has its appealing side.
In parks and heavily wooded areas, moss adds a lushness to the view that is downright comforting. On sidewalks, moss can creep up through dark, gray cracks, bringing life to another wise dull terrain.
But on a roof?
That's where moss can quickly take on the role of an unwanted guest.
"I wouldn't call it a hazard, but it's definitely a pest," said Shelby Buzzini, owner and sole employee of Summit Roof Cleaning. "Most people tend to ignore it and just let it go, and then it's too late. Then it's taken over their entire roof."
And that's when Buzzini hears his phone ring.
"It keeps me busy, especially this time of year," Buzzini said. "Keeping moss off of a roof takes alot of upkeep, and most people just don't have the time to do it."
Thanks to the dark, damp, wet, moisture-filled climate otherwise known as the Pacific Northwest, roof moss has become a constant reminder to homeowners throughout the region that, while moss might appear cute and cozy, it's also a high-maintenance companion that never sleeps.
Roof moss removal
In fact, roof-maintenance businesses throughout the Clark County and Portland area have come to count on the removal of roof moss as one of their main streams of profit.
A general estimate for roof-moss removal on a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house runs in the $550 range, and the process normally takes one or two days.
Yet Chaba Corona, owner of Virtue Property Maintenance Services, has been forced to turn down proposals in the past when he's come across roofs covered in nothing but soft, green moss. "I've seen old homes where moss has eaten through the roofing shingles," Corona said. "Then, all a person can do is re-roof the house. And then they're looking at spending $12,000."
According to Buzzini and Corona, preventative maintenance is the key.
Moss builds up slowly over time. Thus, the only way to prevent roof moss from becoming an overwhelming problem is by yearly maintenance and a little tender, loving care.
Dealing with roof moss
- To remove roof moss: Buzzini and Corona earnestly recommend calling a professional roof maintenance company. Fixing anything on the roof of a house can be tricky business, and the removal of roof moss can be extremely tedious and tiresome.
- But if you insist on going it alone, you'll definitely need the following: gloves, a wire brush, a leaf blower, an extension cord and zinc sulfate.
- First, use a leaf blower to blow as much debris as possible off your roof. Then it's time to get down and dirty. Scrub away all visible moss with a wire brush.
- After removing the moss, spread zinc sulfate over the roof in six-inch rows. Rain will eventually dissolve the sulfate, and in around three weeks, the remaining moss spores will be killed off. Buzzini and Corona also recommend yearly treatments of zinc sulfate to prevent the return of moss. "After one good cleaning, then it's just maintenance," Corona said.
- Preventive maintenance: Hop up on your roof every three-six months and break out a leaf blower. Blowing away debris will prevent moss buildup. "It's the simplest way to get at the problem," Buzzini said.
To pressure wash or not
While some professional businesses use a pressure washer, debate has arisen as to whether this method is safe for everyday roofs. Shelby Buzzini, owner and sole employee of Summit Roof Cleaning, asserts it is, as long as the pressure of the washer is kept under 300 pounds per-square-inch. "I've experimented with different levels for years, and that's the safest," Buzzini said. "Anything higher can damage a roof.
However, Chaba Corona, owner of Virtue Professional Maintenance Services, disagreed. "Roofs aren't designed to be pressure washed," he said. "You really shouldn't even walk on a roof unless you have to. Every time you touch a roof, granules fall off the shingles. Roofs are designed to keep rain and wind out, and that's about it."
- Brian T. Smith
Did you know?
- Moss is a small, soft plant that tends to grow in clumps. Moss does not have flowers or seeds. It is a nonvascular plant, and there are around 10,000 different species.
- Rain equals moss: Moss requires moisture to survive. And since it rains so much in the Pacific Northwest, roof moss has a field day. "This is probably the worst area in the country to live if you don't like moss on your roof," said Chaba Corona, owner of Virtue Property Maintenance Services, laughing.
