The Best Time of Year to Remove Moss
Have you ever been given a birthday card that has glitter glued all over the front? No matter how careful you were, that glitter probably ended up on your hands, your face, the table, your clothes, and then spread to seemingly random places that never even came into contact with the card. Once you have a glitter encounter, you can get used to finding glitter for the next seven years or so. Unfortunately for us here in Tacoma, moss is basically PNW glitter.
Moss is everywhere. It grows on all kinds of surfaces, and it seems to pop up overnight sometimes. How are you supposed to keep this gunk off of your driveway, pavers, porch, decking, siding, roof, and other exterior surfaces? The last thing you want is for your house to slowly descend into swamp-thing territory, but what are you supposed to do?
The good news is that moss does have a distinct life cycle, and if you hack its growth patterns you can get rid of it more easily and be ready for it when it tries to come back. So here is everything you hoped you would never need to know about moss:
Stage 1: Spores & New Growth
Moss reproduces either by releasing spores that are spread by the wind, or by cloning itself as new moss colonies grow from broken off bits of existing moss. This generally happens in rainy or damp conditions (Spring and Fall). Moss spores can travel quite a ways before they land in a new spot, so even if you treat every speck of moss on your property you can still find new colonies growing after being blown in from down the street. Once a new moss colony finds a shady, damp environment it can start to grow and spread rapidly. Growth will continue as long as the moss has access to enough water.
Stage 2: Dormancy
In Winter and Summer when conditions become drier, moss will go mostly dormant and stop spreading as quickly. This is the ideal time to strike if you are trying to get rid of moss on your property. Trained technicians can apply a solution that causes existing moss colonies to shrivel up so that they can be swept away from delicate surfaces like roofs, or can pressure wash more durable surfaces like concrete to wash the moss away.
This cycle means that the best time to schedule moss removal for your property is June, July, and August. These are the months when the moss is likely to be dormant and unlikely to be buried under snow or ice. And these are the months when you might be wanting to get the most out of your yard or patio and will most appreciate having freshly cleaned exterior surfaces.
A few more important factors to keep in mind when considering moss removal on your property are:
Moss begets moss: more moss nearby means more spores nearby, which leads to the spread of new colonies. Moss also retains moisture, so an area with a carpet of moss will stay wetter for more of the year, giving the moss more opportunities to grow and spread. So even though treating all of the moss around your home won’t prevent new moss from growing, letting the existing colonies do their thing will only lead to more green invaders.
Moss damages the surfaces it grows on: because moss soaks up water, it can increase the impact of the freeze/thaw cycle on the surfaces it is attached to. On hard surfaces like concrete that can lead to cracking and erosion. On more delicate surfaces like shingles, this can cause the shingles to be lifted apart and lead to leaks and water damage.
Moss can be a safety hazard: when moss grows on walkways, stairs, and decking it can create slick and slippery patches that are just waiting to be the site of an “America’s Funniest Home Videos” moment, or (more seriously) a trip to the ER. Make sure you keep an eye out for any moss colonies creeping out over your walkways.
Moss can’t be prevented, but it can be decreased: moss likes damp and shady places and spreads outwards from new colonies. To lessen the growth of new moss colonies on your property you can ensure that water properly drains away from your house and that your gutters are free from clogs. You can also trim or thin overhanging branches that might be creating areas of deep shade on your roof or driveway. Have any old plant debris removed. Beautiful Day services that can help in your battle against moss include gutter cleaning, roof refresh, power washing, and soft washing. We can help you decide what the right services are for your property!
Regular maintenance is key: moss removal is not a one-and-done service. If you want your surfaces the stay gunk-free and protected from the damage that moss can cause you will need to have moss removed regularly on your property. As a general rule, the shadier your property is the more regular your need for moss remediation will be. Sunny roofs might stay mostly moss-free for five years or more after a thorough treatment. Roofs with lots of overhanging trees might need a visit from a Beautiful Day technician every year.
The good news is that you are not alone in your fight against this creeping green PNW glitter! If you are sick of looking at your moss-covered driveway, worried about the longevity of your increasingly green roof, or concerned for the safety of your mossy walkways, reach out to Beautiful Day and some guys in blue shirts will come banish your not-so-sparkly foe.
