The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Buildings & planning => Topic started by: toaster on May 18, 2013, 12:38:38 pm
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My stables have a standard apex roof that is covered with flat slates
It's looking grubby and moss covered
Dare I get it cleaned or does the dirt and moss all help with weatherproofing and keeping slates firm?
Any advice would be great thank you
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lichen doesn't matter and the slates won't be pushed off/aside by the moss. However if there are great big cushions, then in winter the moss holds a lot of water which will freeze and expand which could cause some damage long term.
Beware of pressure washing unless there is a waterproof membrane underneath, best way to remove it is a proper roofing ladder and a stiff brush, unless it is like something out of the Lord of the rings...:-))) some people also use a metal strip, think zinc or copper to repel the moss.
The moss can only grow where there is dirt, unlike the lichen, so keeping the roof cleanish will help to stop it returning.
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I had a roof thickly coated in moss, I used a garden hoe, the old fashioned drag type, extended the shaft by cable tying another shaft to it, and simply dragged it off in massive clumps, it was easy, just need to experiment for the right moisture content to bring it of cleanly.
Rinsed off with normal hose pipe after.
Regards