Are you aware that neat and clean roofs add to the aesthetic appeal of the home? They also add to the real value and protect the entire property from external elements almost all year round.
Unfortunately, the moment your roof gets plagued with organic invaders like mosses, lichens, and algae, the curb appeal of your home starts vanishing slowly. Even worse, they can slowly damage roof materials and shorten their lifespan.
If proper steps are not taken immediately, then as the owner, you may end up paying heavily for roof maintenance and care. In some cases, many people conclude with complete roof replacement for their homes.
That is why it will be good to identify and mitigate the sources of this unwanted damage. Roof restoration by a professional at an early stage may be the best solution, finally preventing the entire replacement of the roof.
What are Mosses, Lichens and Algae?
Mosses are green-colored, soft and spongy type plants that usually thrive in shaded, moist areas. They usually appear as thick mats on the surfaces of roofs. As they spread out through spores, they may take quick hold exclusively in damp conditions.
Whereas lichens are combined forms of algae and fungi that finally take the form of crusty patches. They may be in a variety of colours that range between green and black. Lichens combined with mosses secrete acids that slowly result in the breakdown of roofing materials over time.
That is why, the moment you come across a single spot of any of these, better not to think twice before cleaning them immediately.
How do Mosses and Lichens Affect the Roof Adversely?
Mosses, along with lichens, usually absorb water like a sponge and retain it. As the moisture holds against the roofing material, roofs hardly get dried properly. A long period of dampness may lead to rotting of timber structures, finally deteriorating the entire roof structure.
Mosses, while getting spread underneath roofing sheets, lift them gradually. This results in the creation of gaps where water seeps inside, leading to nasty leakages. Sometimes, it results in structural issues too.
Constant growth of mosses and lichens accelerates the rate of roof deterioration by destroying the protective layers of the roof. They may leave the underlying roofing materials highly vulnerable to damage, finally shortening the lifespan of the roof.
Availing professional cleaning and substitution of damaged roof surfaces may lead to the best solution at a moderate tile roof restoration cost.
Do Mosses and Lichens Block Drainage Systems too?
Unfortunately, long-term growth of mosses and lichens leads to clogging of gutters. It slowly results in the hampering of the water drainage system. Gutters may start overflowing, finally causing adverse damage to walls and foundations of homes.
Thickening of layers of moss on roofs may add to unnecessary weight, especially during rainy seasons. The extra weight may put an extra level of stress on the entire roof structure, potentially leading to sagging of supporting trusses.
Also, damp and moss-covered roofs serve as welcoming environments for birds, insects, and rodents. They can cause further damage by creating their burrows in the roof.
Before the situation gets worse, it will be good to avail roof inspection and restoration service by a professional at the earliest. With special techniques and tools, it may become easy to stop the further spread of mosses.
As a Conclusion!
From above, it is clear that if mosses and lichens are left unattended, they may destroy the entire roof of your house. They may even hamper the walls and ceilings adversely. The moment you come across mild leakage, damp, or a pungent smell from your roof, do not hesitate to give a call to a trained professional.
Approaching one of the most reliable and trustworthy roofing contractors in Adelaide, like Local Adelaide Roofers, may be the best solution.