It is important that the product you choose to clean the moss growth does not damage or weaken the cedar itself.
Fungal growth on roof shingles.
On an asphalt or possibly some treated wood shingle roofs shingle chemistry is also involved in moss lichens and algae growth or resistance to it.
Some roof shingle materials contain algaecides or fungicides which will also retard moss growth on the roof surface.
Scrubbing or power washing the lichen will only do more damage.
You can find more information on these special roofing shingles here.
Once on the roof lichen cannot easily be removed.
These kinds of organic growth will degrade cedar roofs much faster than a lot of other roofing issues.
Most of the stains on the average atlanta roof are the result of algae and not fungus.
It needs heat moisture and nutrients to grow.
It is easily spread and causes those colorful stains on so many roofs.
Lichen is a photosynthetic fungus that has roots that wrap around the granules feeding on the nutrients of the gm and the filler in the shingles.
They call it the algaeblock system.
Known as black algae or roof mold gloeocapsa magma is usually blamed on dirt accumulation mold and mildew or defective shingles.
It s actually just a blue green algae spread by airborne spores.
Even if it dries out it can come back to life when rain or moisture appears.
Some moss or fungi development you may see are dark brown or black spots that weaken shakes or shingles.
A brief history of algae resistant shingles.