Should I clear moss from my roof?
Short answer. Yes, in most cases you should clear moss from your roof, because it keeps shingles wet, lifts their edges and leads to leaks and rot over time. The exception is a roof already near the end of its life, where the money is often better spent on replacement.
What waiting costs
- Moss spreads every damp season, so a small patch becomes a slope.
- Lifted shingles lose their seal and become easy targets for the next windstorm.
- Water wicking under laps reaches the decking, turning a cleaning job into a repair.
- Clogged gutters overflow and rot fascia boards.
When clearing is clearly worth it
- The roof is under about 15 years old and otherwise healthy.
- The moss is on one or two shaded slopes.
- You plan to stay in the house or sell soon and want it to show well.
When to rethink
- The roof is near 20 years or more with granule loss and curling elsewhere.
- Moss covers most of the roof and many edges are lifted.
- The attic shows stains or soft decking under the mossy area.
In those cases, clearing moss is cosmetic; the roof needs repair or replacement. See signs you need a new roof.
DIY or hire it out
Low, gentle roofs with moss near the eaves are reasonable DIY jobs from a ladder: treat, wait, remove gently downslope. Steep or two story roofs are safer with a professional who uses soft wash or treatment methods, never a pressure washer.
Keep it cleared
Trim branches, clean the roof and gutters each fall, and consider zinc or copper strips. See moss and lichen on roofs.