roof moss Archives | Kidderminster Roofing

A flat roof can often be overlooked until it’s too late, and a quick repair can only do so much for so long.

We aim to explore some of the tale tell signs of when its time to get a new flat roof, and different types of flat roof you may consider.

Here are 5 key signs you may need a new flat roof:

Bubbling and blistering – Bubbling and blistering is a very common problem with flat roofs, often the result of trapped pockets of air and moisture within the roof’s membrane. When the roof’s felt is exposed to excessive heat, this then causes the pockets to expand under the felt, bursting though the felt and causing splits and cracks.

Tears, splits and cracks in the material and even exposed timbers – Visual damage such as tears, splits, cracks and exposed timber is a sure sign you are ready for a new roof. Leaving a flat roof in this state can cause serious damage to the structure of your roof, and risks causing the timbers to rot after over exposure to the elements.

Excessive ponding or pooling on the surface – What causes a pool of water to appear on a flat roof is a process called “ponding”. Ponding occurs when excess waters that is left on a rooftop after a downpour is unable to drain away and remains for 24-48 hours. Small puddles are often nothing to worry about, however large pools of water could cause damage if left untreated. Read our blog about the risks of pooling and when it can become a problem.

Moss and vegetation growth – Otherwise known as organic growth, moss and algae love to grow anywhere which is damp and shaded, making rooftops and gutters the perfect place to grow, particularly if there are overhanging trees nearby. This organic growth on the rooftop will often prevent correct drainage on the rooftop and retain water, causing excessive damage to the rooftop overtime as the water freezes and expands during the winter months. Read our blog about the risks of moss on your rooftop and what you can do to remove it.

Detachment from adjoining walls and upstands – The most important factor to consider when assessing the condition of your flat roof is ensuring the felt of the flat roof is properly chased into adjoining walls and sealed making it watertight. If gaps appear between the felt and the adjoining walls, you will need to consider a new roof rather than a simple repair.

How can my flat roof be replaced?

Traditional flat roof method

Glass fiber or polyester felts are a traditional method which can be laid with traditional pour and roll hot bitumen. This method is no longer used by many roofing contractors due to health and safety risks handling boiling hot bitumen.

Torch on felt is another traditional method, however, do not require pour and roll. Instead the bitumen is already manufactured onto the roll and heated prior to being rolled onto the decking making it much safer.

Newer flat roof methods

Newer methods of laying a flat roof include EPDM Rubber or single ply grp (fibre glass) roof systems.

New systems can cost more than traditional flat roof systems, however typically a contractor will give 5-10 years on a traditional felt roof, but over 20 years + on newer methods such as a EPDM rubber roof or a single ply grp as they are developed with new, more robust technology and materials.

It is always advisable to get a few quotes for different systems when considering replacing your flat roof.

Alternatively, you may consider converting your flat roof into a pitch roof, and speaking to your roof contractor to see if it is possible.

Send in the professionals!

If you need advice on your flat roof, and can’t decide on if you need a replacement or a repair, Kidderminster Roofing Contracts ltd can help! We can offer a free, no obligation quotation for any upcoming repair or replacement you have.

Tel: 01562 748270
Email: office@kidderminsterroofing.com
Or drop us a message on Facebook!

A common question we are asked at Kidderminster Roofing Contracts ltd by clients is how to remove moss from their roof tiles or slates.

Although removing moss from a roof may seem a very simple job, the reality is that moss removal can often more damage if done incorrectly, and should only be done by a professional roofer.

What causes moss to grow on tiles and slates and what problems can it cause?

To deal with moss growth on a rooftop, first we need to understand what has caused moss to grow, and the issues it may cause.

Moss and algae likes to grow anywhere which is damp and shaded, making rooftops and gutters the ideal place to thrive. The moss that grows on rooftops can then cause damage to the tiles or slates by both retaining water, causing roofing materials to rot, or even causing trapped water to freeze in cold weather and expand, resulting in damage to the tiles or slates, making them move, slip or even break. Moss can even grow into the tiles or slates themselves, making them damaged and weak.

With excessive damage to tiles or slates as a result of constant moss damage, removing moss from a rooftop can dangerous job to the inexperienced, which should only be handled by a professional with the correct tools, equipment and knowledge.

How not to remove moss

Although it may be tempting to remove the moss yourself without the expense of a professional, what may often seem to be a simple approach to the job could cause more harm than good. Here are some of the questions we are often asked about moss removal:

Question: Can I use a pressure washer to remove the moss?

Answer: No. A pressure washer will only further damage the rooftop and tiles or slates as it is too abrasive.

Question: Can I use cleaners or chemicals to remove the moss?

Answer: We wouldn’t recommend it. There are many products on the market that claim to remove moss from tiles and slates, however in our experience, moss will often grow into the tiles or slates, and using harsh chemicals and cleaners on a tile or slate surface will only aim to remove the protective coating from the roof tiles or slates, making them weaker and more susceptible to further moss damage. Moss removing chemicals can also be damaging to the environment, potentially harming both plants and animals.

Solutions and options

Although moss an impossible issue to solve, there are some solutions and options we here at Kidderminster Roofing Contracts ltd or another professional roofer can do to help remove or reduce a rooftop moss issue.

Brush or scrape the moss from the tiles or slates – Using a scrubbing brush, a professional roofter can carefully and gently brush the moss from roof tiles or slates to reduce damage to them. A shovel can also be used to scrape the moss from the tiles or slates. This option would require regular treatments by a professional to ensure the moss does not mount up, which may seem inconvenient, however will save a significant amount of money in the long run.

Re-roof – If a roof is too far gone with moss to simply be brushed away, and the damage has already been done to the tiles or slates, a re-roof may be your only option to remove all the moss from the rooftop.

Leave the moss alone – It may seem an unusual option, however if a roof is too far gone to simply brush the moss away, but you cannot afford a complete re-roof at this particular time, the best option would be to leave the moss alone. Although it may be tempting to pressure wash the tiles or slates or put a treatment on it, it may cause far more damage to the overall roof than to simply leave it alone, resulting further issues such as leaks.

Get in the professionals

To remove moss from your rooftop, you need the professionals with the correct tools and equipment to do the job safely and effectively. Here at Kidderminster Roofing Contracts ltd, we can provide a free no obligation quotation for any roof repair or re-roof request. Contact us today to see how we can help with you!

Tel: 01562 748270

Email: office@kidderminsterroofing.com

Or drop us a message on Facebook!

Think you might need a new flat roof? Here are the signs you need to look for…