If you live in Berkshire you will know what roof moss looks like. You see it everywhere. Green patches on tiles. Thick clumps on older homes. Moss falling into gutters and across patios after rain. Most people think it is harmless. Just a cosmetic issue. Something that can be ignored.
I wish that were true.
I am Caleb, owner of Price Wise Construction LTD based in Arborfield, and I want to explain the truth about roof moss from what I have seen first hand working across Wokingham, Bracknell, Reading and the surrounding areas. Moss does not just sit there. It damages roofs slowly and quietly until the problem becomes expensive to fix.
The Roof That Almost Collapsed
A couple in Crowthorne asked me to come and take a look at their roof. From the outside it looked like a typical pitched roof with moss growth. Nothing too dramatic at first glance. But when I climbed up for a closer look I could feel the tiles shifting under my boots. They were loose. Too loose.
The moss had built up so much between the tiles that water was soaking in beneath them. The battens underneath were rotten. The felt had torn. When I stepped into the loft I could see daylight. The roof was no longer watertight. The entire structure was beginning to sag.
They had ignored the moss for years because it did not leak. Not yet. But the damage was already well underway.
How Moss Damages Roofs
Moss might look soft and harmless but it is one of the most destructive things that can grow on a roof. Here is why.
Moss traps water
Moss holds moisture like a sponge. Roof tiles are designed to let rainwater run off. Moss stops that from happening which leads to long term water retention.
Tiles begin to break
When that trapped water freezes in winter it expands and cracks tiles. That is why many moss covered roofs have cracked, flaky or broken tiles.
Damage spreads underneath
Water then gets underneath the tiles and soaks into the felt and timber. Over time this causes wood rot, mould and structural weakening.
Gutters become blocked
Moss falls into gutters and blocks drainage routes. When gutters overflow rainwater runs down walls and can cause damp problems inside the home.
When Moss Leads to Leaks
A lot of people think a roof leak starts with a missing tile. In many cases it starts with moss. I inspected a property in Wokingham where the homeowner could not understand why water was coming in through the bathroom ceiling. The roof looked normal from the ground.
Up on the roof I found moss wedged beneath two interlocking tiles. It had lifted them just enough to let driven rain in on windy days. A tiny gap caused a long list of problems. The insulation was soaked. The timber was damp. The bathroom ceiling had started to stain. All because of moss.
The Problem With Leaving Moss Untreated
Moss will not fall off by itself. It always spreads. Once it gets a hold on a roof it grows into every gap it can find. It damages old roofs and new ones just the same. It also attracts birds who pick it apart looking for insects which loosens tiles even further.
Leaving moss untreated leads to:
- Rotten battens
- Damaged roof felt
- Loose ridge tiles
- Blocked gutters and downpipes
- Damp in loft spaces
- Roof leaks
- Costly repairs
How We Remove Moss Safely
Roof moss removal must be done properly. You should never let anyone blast it off with a pressure washer. That damages tiles and forces water where it should not go.
At Price Wise Construction LTD we use a safe three stage process for roof cleaning in Berkshire:
- Manual moss removal
We scrape the moss from each tile by hand using specialist roof cleaning tools. - Full roof clean
We remove dirt and debris without damaging tiles or forcing water into the roof. - Biocide treatment
This kills any remaining moss spores and prevents regrowth for years.
Every roof is inspected properly before cleaning so we can identify cracked tiles, damaged ridges or rotten timber.
Moss Removal is Roof Protection
A clean roof is not about making a house look nice. It is about protecting your home. Roof moss removal extends the life of your roof, keeps it watertight and prevents long term structural damage. It also protects your gutters and improves drainage around your home.
Final Word
Moss is not a harmless part of nature. It destroys roofs slowly and leaves homeowners with expensive repair work if they ignore it. If you can see moss from the ground then it has already started causing damage. The sooner it is removed the better.
As I always tell customers:
Moss grows silently. Roof problems do not shout until it is too late.