Roof Moss Removal and Roof Cleaning in Santa Rosa
Moss creeping up the north slope, needles piled in the valleys, or a letter from the insurance company about the roof. The crew lifts off the loose clumps by hand, treats what’s left and clears the gutters underneath.
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Roof moss removal
What happens during a roof moss removal?
The big, loose clumps are brushed off by hand with tools that won’t tear up the shingles, then a treatment goes on what’s left. That moss dies back and washes off in the rain over the next few weeks. Needles come out of the valleys, and the gutters below get cleared, since that is where loose moss ends up.
- Moss on asphalt shingle roofs
- Moss and staining on north slopes
- Redwood needles packed in roof valleys
- Leaf litter around chimneys and dormers
- Moss treatment after the cleaning
- Skylight cleaning
- Roof cleaning for insurance requirements
- Steep and multi-level roofs
Good to know
Why does moss grow so thick on Sonoma County roofs?
Shade and moisture do it. Moss fills in on the slopes that see the least sun, which is why reviewer Steve F. found it “rampant especially on the north sides.” Roofs under redwoods, oaks and bay trees stay damp longer through the rain season, and the needles and leaves that land on them hold water against the shingles.
Before the crew gets on your roof
- Stay off a mossy roof yourself. Wet moss on shingles is slick.
- Move cars, patio furniture and potted plants back from the eaves.
- If an insurance letter is why you’re calling, have it handy so we know what they asked for.
- Make a note of skylights, solar panels or leaks you want looked at while the crew is up there.
- Call (707) 940-7875 and Dave will set a time to come see the roof.
The rules
What does CAL FIRE say about keeping a roof clean?
Clear it regularly. CAL FIRE’s home hardening guide calls the roof the most vulnerable part of a home in a wildfire and tells owners to regularly clear leaves, pine needles and other debris from it to prevent ignition. It also says to close off gaps under roof tiles and shingles so wind-blown embers can’t get in.
Most vulnerablehow CAL FIRE’s home hardening guide describes the roof
On a shaded roof, moss and fallen needles tend to build up together, which is one more reason to clear both before red-flag season. The same guide notes that homes with wood shingle roofs are at high risk of being destroyed in a wildfire. Read CAL FIRE’s Hardening Your Home guide. Homes in the state responsibility area also have a legal duty to keep leaves and needles off the roof, and our gutter cleaning page walks through that rule.
Before and after
Same roof, before and after
BeforeAfterHow the job runs
Roof cleaning, step by step
- LookAn estimate visit to see the roof, the moss and the trees over it, with time for questions.
- ProposeA written proposal follows, so nothing gets decided on the spot.
- Clear the clumpsLoose clumps of moss come off by hand, gently, so the shingles stay intact.
- TreatA treatment goes on the remaining moss, which dies back and rinses away with the rain.
- ClearGutters, valleys and skylights are cleaned, and the ground below gets picked up.
From a customer
What do customers say about the moss work?
Several write about moss coming off and staying off. Krista K. called it “a thorough job cleaning moss off our roof,” and Steve F. had his roof treated in June of 2022, then wrote four years on, “still no sign of the moss coming back.” Celeste G. noted the crew went further, scrubbing the roof and applying a product.
“We used Nor-Cal in June of 2022 to clean our gutters and remove moss from our roof. They also treated the roof so the moss would not come back. Four years later, and still no sign of the moss coming back!”
Gold includes roof moss removal as needed, a preventive treatment and two roof inspections a year.
FAQ
Roof Moss and Roof Cleaning Questions
Our insurance company says the roof has to be cleaned. Can you do that?
Yes. Thierry D. hired us when a few of his structures “needed their roofs cleaned to meet insurance requirements,” and Steve F. mentioned “all the harassment from the home insurance agencies.” We can’t tell you what your insurer will accept, so read the letter closely or call your agent first. Reviewers do mention getting photos of their work from the crew, if pictures would help.
Will the moss grow back after it's removed?
It can, given enough shade and rain, which is why the cleaning finishes with a treatment. How long a roof stays clear depends on the trees over it and which way it faces. Some customers simply book it every year; Peggy G. wrote that they call us annually to clean the roof. That kind of yearly care is what the Peace of Mind Program is built around.
Can you work on a steep or multi-level roof?
Yes. Teresa H. has had her steeply pitched roof cleaned for 8 years, and Steve F. described his as having “many different levels and sections.” Jay’s roof was done on a 95-degree day, and he wrote that the crew “worked their tails off.” Mention tile sections, skylights or panels when you call so the visit can be planned around them.
When is a good time of year to get moss off a roof?
Two windows make sense in Sonoma County. Late spring, after a wet winter has let the moss fill in, and late summer, before red-flag days, when you want dry needles off the roof ahead of fire weather. If the moss is thick enough to see from the street, there’s no reason to wait for either one.
Do you clean the gutters and skylights on the same visit?
Yes, and it makes sense to. Moss and needles that come off the roof land in the gutters, so those get cleared before the crew leaves. Sandy Y. hired us for gutter and skylight cleaning and wrote that you “would never have known they were there” afterward, apart from the clean gutters and skylights.
Service area
Where does the roof cleaning crew work?
Across Sonoma County from our two offices, on Banyan Street in Santa Rosa and Bell Road in Windsor. That covers Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Guerneville, Geyserville and the towns between, where redwoods and oaks keep a lot of roofs in shade. We also clean roofs in Calistoga and the rest of Napa County, and in Marin.
Related services
Also done from the roof
Talk to Dave's team
Moss taking over the roof?
Call (707) 940-7875 and tell us about the roof: the pitch, the trees over it and whether an insurer is asking. Dave will come out, look it over and send a written proposal.