--- title: How Do You Remove Moss from a Roof? description: Do you have moss on your roof? If so, you're probably wondering if you can and how to remove moss from your roof. In this article, you'll learn how to remove moss from a roof, if you can use a pressure washer, if you should do it yourself, how to prevent it, and if moss means you need a new roof. image: https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/how-do-you-remove-moss-from-a-roof.png --- [Skip to main content](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-do-remove-moss-from-roof#maincontent) - Follow Us - [ Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/billraganroofingnashville/) - [ LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bill-ragan-roofing-company) [«  View All Posts](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog) [Asphalt Shingle Roof](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/topic/asphalt-shingle-roof) | [Roofing Industry Knowledge](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/topic/roofing-industry-knowledge) # How Do You Remove Moss from a Roof? December 9th, 2024 | 5 min. read - Share This Article - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-do-remove-moss-from-roof) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=How+Do+You+Remove+Moss+from+a+Roof%3F&url=https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-do-remove-moss-from-roof&via=) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-do-remove-moss-from-roof&title=How+Do+You+Remove+Moss+from+a+Roof%3F&summary=Do+you+have+moss+on+your+roof%3F+If+so%2C+you%27re+probably+wondering+if+you+can+and+how+to+remove+moss+from+your+roof.+In+this+article%2C+you%27ll+learn+how+to+remove+moss+from+a+roof%2C+if+you+can+use+a+pressure+washer%2C+if+you+should+do+it+yourself%2C+how+to+prevent+it%2C+and+if+moss+means+you+need+a+new+roof.) - [**](mailto:?body=https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-do-remove-moss-from-roof) ![How Do You Remove Moss from a Roof?](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/how-do-you-remove-moss-from-a-roof.png) ![Bill Ragan](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/Bill%20on%20hiking%20trail.png "Bill Ragan") [Bill Ragan](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/author/bill-ragan) ** Print/Save as PDF Does your roof have moss on it? Are you trying to figure out if removing the moss is possible without causing damage? Not only does it look bad, but moss damages asphalt shingles and leads to quicker deterioration. The good thing is that removing it from your roof in a few different ways is possible. However, it must be done right to avoid causing serious damage. So, how do you remove moss from a roof? **For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has guided homeowners through the complexities of the roofing industry.** Now, I’ll put this experience to use to help you remove moss from your roof and much more. By the end of this article, you’ll have the answers to the following questions: - How do you remove moss from a roof? - Can you use a pressure washer to remove moss from a roof? - Should you clean moss off your roof yourself? - Can you prevent moss from growing on your roof? - Does moss on your roof mean you need a roof replacement? ## How do you remove moss from a roof? **There are a few different ways to remove moss from a roof.** You can wet the moss with a low-pressure hose to remove it by hand, but this is extremely time-consuming and dangerous. You can also buy solutions, mixes, and powders at Home Depot and other home improvement retailers to spread on the roof. However,** **results and opinions on these options are mixed.  **In my opinion, the best way to remove moss from a roof is to follow the advice of shingle manufacturers by using bleach and water mixture.**  According to the [Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association](https://www.asphaltroofing.org/algae-moss-prevention-cleaning-asphalt-roofing-systems/#:~:text=The%20most%20effective%20method%20of,thoroughly%20with%20low%20pressure%20water.):  *“The most effective method of cleaning algae and moss from a roof is with a 50:50 mix of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. Apply with a sprayer and allow the solution to dwell on the roof surface for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with low pressure water.”* Just know that a bleach solution that is too strong can discolor your shingles like it does clothing. So, it’s crucial to do it correctly to avoid unsightly streaks coming down your roof.  ## Can you use a pressure washer to remove moss from a roof? **The most important piece of advice I can give you is not to pressure wash your roof to clean moss off the shingles.** This will damage the asphalt shingles, blow their protective granules off, and void any warranties.  This is a huge mistake that even some roofing companies make. The only way to avoid causing damage is to spray off the solution with low-pressure water or by soft washing.  However, even this has to be done right. So, do more research about water pressures before diving into moss removal.  ## Should you clean moss off a roof yourself? As a roofer, I recommend hiring a professional. If you don’t have experience walking on a roof or being on a ladder, you shouldn’t risk your safety to clean moss off your roof.  The fact that the roof will be wet makes it even more dangerous. You could also end up damaging your roof more, leading to costly problems and potentially [voiding your warranties](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/things-void-roof-warranty).  **However, I recommend hiring a roof cleaning company specializing in moss and other vegetation removal instead of a regular roofing company. **This isn’t to say roofing companies can’t do it, but you just want to ensure it’s done right without causing unnecessary damage. ## Can you prevent moss from growing on your roof? While not guaranteed to fully stop moss growth, there are ways to be proactive against it. **The easiest way is to get **[**regular roof maintenance**](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/why-roof-maintenance-important)** to clear debris.** **![debris sitting on an asphalt shingle roof](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/debris-sitting-on-roof.jpg?width=500&height=375&name=debris-sitting-on-roof.jpg)** Sitting debris can become saturated, creating the perfect moss growth environment if left untouched. On top of maintenance, trimming overhanging tree limbs back and keeping your gutters clean will help prevent excess moisture buildup. **Another effective way is to install copper or zinc strips along your roof ridge.** As rain goes over the ridge, small amounts of metal ions from the strips flow down with the water to act as a natural deterrent.  This will be costly, but it’s a solid option for roofs that sit in the shade most of the day.  ## Does moss on your roof mean you need a roof replacement? **Moss is a sign that it’s time for a new roof, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you need a replacement as soon as it starts growing. **It could be growing from debris buildup, lack of sun hitting a damp roof, overhanging trees, etc. But while it may not need replacing right away, it’s time to start thinking about a new roof. You can remove it to buy some time, but moss sitting on your roof damages the asphalt shingles.  If it was able to sit for a long time, there’s no telling the damage waiting underneath. At the end of the day, you won’t know if you’ll need a new roof until after [an inspection by a roofing contractor](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/roofing-contractor-look-roof-inspection).  However, an older roof with moss means you need to start budgeting for a new roof before leaks show up.  ## What are other signs that you need a new roof? After reading this article, you know how to remove moss from your roof, what to use, if you should do it yourself, and how to prevent it. I recommend hiring a professional for any roof cleaning project, but it’s completely up to you.  Just remember that moss is a sign that it may be time for a new roof, so cleaning may be pointless. However, you can’t make a decision based on moss growth alone.  Moss and other vegetation is just one sign, but there are others to be on the lookout for. That’s why I wrote another article with all the signs it’s time for a replacement.  Check out [6 Signs Your Roof Needs to be Replaced](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/signs-roof-needs-replaced) to help determine if you need a new roof before contacting a roofing contractor. [![roofing contractor questions checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3406853/86214085-ef4a-4bd3-9033-10c5566661a8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3406853/86214085-ef4a-4bd3-9033-10c5566661a8) #### Table Of Contents ## Related Articles [### Can I Do a Metal Roof and Asphalt Shingle Roof Combination? June 26th, 2026|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/can-do-metal-roof-asphalt-shingle-roof-combination) [### What’s the Most Common Type of Asphalt Shingle? June 24th, 2026|7 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-most-common-type-asphalt-shingle) [### Can You Put Three Layers of Asphalt Shingles on a Roof? June 19th, 2026|8 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/can-put-three-layers-asphalt-shingles-on-roof) [### Are Composition Shingles and Asphalt Shingles the Same Thing? June 10th, 2026|7 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/composition-shingles-asphalt-shingles-same-thing) [### Is a Metal Roof Cheaper than Shingles? May 13th, 2026|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/metal-roof-vs-shingles-cost) [### Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: Which is Right for You? May 4th, 2026|15 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/metal-roofing-vs-asphalt-shingles) [### Landmark vs. Landmark PRO: Which CertainTeed Shingle is Right for You? March 11th, 2026|8 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/landmark-vs-landmark-pro) [### 6 Best Asphalt Shingle Installation Companies in Nashville, TN (2026) January 28th, 2026|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/best-asphalt-shingle-roof-installation-companies-nashville-tn) [### How Long Does It Take to Replace Your Asphalt Roof? December 12th, 2025|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-long-replace-asphalt-roof) [### Asphalt Shingles vs. Cedar Shake: Which Is Better for Your Home? December 3rd, 2025|12 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/asphalt-roof-vs-cedar-shake-roof) [### What’s the Minimum Roof Pitch for Asphalt Shingles? November 14th, 2025|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/minimum-roof-pitch-shingles) [### What’s the Average Cost of an Asphalt Shingle Roof? (2026 Update) October 6th, 2025|10 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/average-cost-asphalt-shingle-roof) [### How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost vs. Asphalt Shingles? (2026 Update) September 17th, 2025|11 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-much-metal-roof-cost-compared-asphalt-roof) [### How Much Does an Architectural Shingle Roof Cost? (2026 Update) September 15th, 2025|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-much-architectural-asphalt-shingle-roof-cost) [### How Much Does an Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost? (2026 Update) September 8th, 2025|11 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-much-does-asphalt-shingle-roof-cost) [### What Colors Do CertainTeed Shingles Come In? July 16th, 2025|8 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-colors-do-certainteed-shingles-come-in) [### What are the Warranties on CertainTeed Landmark Shingles? July 11th, 2025|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-warranties-on-certainteed-landmark-shingles) [### GAF Timberline NS Shingles vs. GAF Timberline HDZ Shingles July 4th, 2025|4 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/gaf-timberline-ns-shingles-vs-gaf-timberline-hdz-shingles) [### The 5 Best GAF Shingles July 2nd, 2025|7 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/best-gaf-shingles) [### Are GAF Timberline HDZ Shingles Class 3 or Class 4? June 30th, 2025|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/are-gaf-timberline-hdz-shingles-class-3-class-4) [### Is Choosing a Shingle Brand or Roofing Contractor More Important? June 27th, 2025|4 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/shingle-brand-vs-roofing-contractor-which-more-important) [### CertainTeed Landmark Shingles vs. GAF Timberline NS Shingles June 25th, 2025|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/certainteed-landmark-shingles-vs-gaf-timberline-ns-shingles) [### Are CertainTeed Landmark Shingles Class 3? June 18th, 2025|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/are-certainteed-landmark-shingles-class-3) [### Are Architectural Shingles Impact Resistant? June 13th, 2025|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/are-architectural-shingles-impact-resistant) [### Class 3 Shingles vs. Class 4 Shingles: What’s the Difference? June 9th, 2025|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/class-3-shingles-vs-class-4-shingles) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/#roofing-contractor", "@type" : "RoofingContractor", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Nashville", "addressRegion" : "TN", "postalCode" : "37204", "streetAddress" : "2969 Armory Dr., Suite 300" }, "description" : "Award-winning Nashville roofing company specializing in residential roofing services, including roof replacements, roof damage claims, gutters, and more backed by a lifetime warranty.", "founder" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Bill Ragan" }, "foundingDate" : "1990", "geo" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : 36.1038435, "longitude" : -86.7535011 }, "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/logo/bill-ragan-roofing-company--logo.jpg?width=200&height=83&name=bill-ragan-roofing-company--logo.jpg" }, "name" : "Bill Ragan Roofing Company", "priceRange" : "$, $$, $$$", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/billraganroofingnashville/", "https://www.instagram.com/billraganroofing/", "https://www.youtube.com/@theroofingchannel", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/bill-ragan-roofing-company", "https://www.yelp.com/biz/bill-ragan-roofing-nashville-2" ], "telephone" : "+1-615-242-0333", "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "inLanguage" : "en", "name" : "Bill Ragan Roofing Company", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/#roofing-contractor" }, "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleSection" : "Asphalt Shingle Roof", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Bill Ragan", "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/author/bill-ragan" }, "dateModified" : "2024-12-09T17:13:51+00:00", "datePublished" : "2024-12-09T17:13:51+00:00", "description" : "Do you have moss on your roof? If so, you're probably wondering if you can and how to remove moss from your roof. In this article, you'll learn how to remove moss from a roof, if you can use a pressure washer, if you should do it yourself, how to prevent it, and if moss means you need a new roof.", "headline" : "How Do You Remove Moss from a Roof?", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 303, "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/how-do-you-remove-moss-from-a-roof.png", "width" : 908 }, "inLanguage" : "en-us", "keywords" : "Asphalt Shingle Roof, Roofing Industry Knowledge", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-do-remove-moss-from-roof", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "name" : "How Do You Remove Moss from a Roof?", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/#roofing-contractor" }, "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-do-remove-moss-from-roof" } ```