Roof

[Digit]

Does anybody know a way of stopping moss from growing on cement fibre roofing.
It's been a gorgeous day here and I would have preferred not to have spent it on the roof brushing the moss off.
Any ideas anyone, I'm getting too old for this?

Roy.

 

[CNC Paul]

Roy,

I was told that a strip of copper just under the ridge will do the trick, small amounts of arsenic in the copper is washed down the roof when it rains killing the moss.



Paul

 

[Digit]

Thanks Paul. It so happens that I'm just about to replace the ridge tiles with Lead and it occurred to me that might achieve the same result as Lead is also toxic.
Now where can I lay my hands on some copper, umh?

Roy.

 

[MikeG.]

Copper is one good answer, but I am not sure that the reason is arsenic! I believe that the copper oxide itself is the agent of destruction. Bear in mind, of course, that if you get a coated or pre-patinated copper it won't oxidise and won't have the desired effect.

The other answer, better in my view, is to appreciate the moss! I think it makes an otherwise stark roof rather more interesting to have some moss and lichen......

Mike

 

[Digit]

Not in this case Mike, it causes the water to back up in the channels and flow all over the damn place, it blocks gutters, down pipes and drains as well when it comes adrift.
It's a constant battle and at 68 I'm looking for some chemical warfare to aid me!

Roy.

 

[MikeG.]

Fair point Roy! The copper should prevent re-growth.......just be careful that there is no other metal nearby, because the cupric oxide can cause an electro-chemical reaction with other metals leading to corrosion. I've got some tables somewhere if you get stuck, which give metals and distances.....

I bet it is on the north side of your roof?

Mike

 

[Digit]

It is indeed Mike. Where I have extended the building I have made extensive use of Lead flashing and the problem is much less there.
Lead is toxic to plants but as the affected side is to the north and remains wet for longer I am unsure as to whether the lead or the orientation of the building causes the difference.

Roy.

 

[Lincolnshirebodger]

Umm, some people have been known to use horticultural Lawn Feed Weed and Mosskiller. Works a treat, apparantly.

 

[Digit]

Weed killer was one of the solutions that I considered, and may well have to fall back on. I hope not, as apart from the view from the roof, I'd rather stay on the ground!

Roy.

 

[Lincolnshirebodger]

Well weedkiller wont touch it, and its a bit overkill - lawn sand is just sand soaked in a solution of Iron Sulphate, and you can buy 1 Kg of iron sulphate in a garden centre for peanuts. Try spraying with that - probably about a 10% solution might work. Its also less toxic.

 

[Digit]

Cheers!

Roy.

 

[Shultzy]

This is what you want.

http://www2.westfalia.net/suche/index.p ... +roof+moss

 

[Digit]

Great! If the lead, which I've got to fit to replace the damaged fibre cement ridge doesn't work, that's the stuff for me!.
Prevention is better than cure and I can stay on the ground.

Roy.

 

[OLD]

Have you considered the plastic mesh covers for the gutters the moss that washes down is stopped by them and water flows round them.
http://www.toolstation.com/search.html?searchstr=gutter+guard

 

[Digit]

No Old, I haven't. The reason is that we have a shelter belt of Scots Pines and they dump hundreds of pound of seeds throughout the year.
If you've ever seen their seeds you'll understand why, removing them from the mesh is nigh impossible!

Roy.

 

[Lincolnshirebodger]

Ok i asked the techical guy at work.

Whereas Ferric Sulphate kills moss, it just turns it black. A better idea is copper sulphate, which is where the strip of copper idea comes from. The theory is the copper corrodes and a weak copper sulphate solution runs down the roof, killing and loosening the moss.

 

[Digit]

Well as I'm looking for a solution that leaves me on the deck that's the way I'm going!
Thanks folks.

Roy.