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How to Safely and Effectively Remove Roof Lichen

apisl2008 • April 1, 2025

Lichen is just one of those things you come to expect as a homeowner. Every now and again, it’s going to crop up on your roof… but what happens next is important. If you choose to leave it alone, the lichen will spread, and that can lead to all sorts of problems for you down the line

The better option – and the one you’re likely picking, considering you’re reading this – is for you to sort out lichen removal quickly enough to get rid of the infestation before it truly settles in. In this blog post, we’ll unpack what lichen removal looks like when you hire professionals, and we’ll even guide you through the safest DIY method to tackle it on your own. But first, we have to understand what lichen is.

What is Roof Lichen?

Lichen is a combination of algae and fungus that forms a stubborn, crusty growth on surfaces like roofs, pavements, and trees. Unlike moss, which thrives in damp conditions, lichen is much more resilient. It can survive extreme temperatures and doesn’t need much moisture, which can make it a serious problem for you if it’s allowed to get its hooks into a home.

One of the most frustrating parts about dealing with lichen is that it firmly attaches to just about any roofing material, from asphalt shingles to metal corrugate. Over time, the growth of the lichen can cause some serious damage by breaking down your roof’s protective layer. The missing coating makes your roof vulnerable to water, and the lichen is quite good at trapping water. Together, these two factors create the perfect storm for rust and corrosion to set in.

Why is lichen removal so important?

The key to lichen removal is to do it quickly, as lichen is slow-growing but highly invasive. Leaving it too long will create some costly repairs for you. Here are just some of the ways lichen can damage your roof over time:

· Premature leaks. Over time, lichen slowly eats away at your roofing materials. Leaks, cracks, or even full roof replacements aren’t far off from there.

· Water retention. Because lichen holds moisture against the surface, it can lead to moss growth and create the perfect environment for rot, especially in wooden structures.

· Pests. All that water, corrosion, and even the leaks into your roofing system can spell trouble for your home. Dampness invites mould, but it also invites insects, rats, and other critters into your home.

Dealing with your lichen removal as quickly as possible is vital to keep your home safe, warm, and dry.

Steps for Safe Lichen Removal

Step 1: Assess the situation.

Before diving in, take a good look at your roof. If the lichen growth is widespread, or if your roof is older and already showing signs of wear, it’s best to call in the pros. If you’re dealing with a small patch, your roof is new and stable, or it’s early on in the infestation, you should be able to tackle it yourself.

Step 2: Pick the right cleaning solution.

Lichen is slow-growing, but it’s also stubborn. Using the wrong lichen removal treatment will mean the lichen stays rooted in your roof. In other words, even if it looks like the lichen is gone, it will come back even worse than before.

That’s why we recommend using our in-house formulation, DeMoss. This is a simple lichen killer that works on your roof, walls, and any other exterior surface on your property.

Step 3: Spray and walk away.

This might be the best part because it’s also the easiest. If you use the right product, all you have to do is spray the mixture all over your roof to kill the lichen and leave it there. With New Zealand’s frequent rain, the remnants will gently wash away over time, leaving your roof clean and lichen-free.

If you use a rainwater collection system that relies on your roof or gutters, make sure the inlet to your water tank is turned off so that the lichen removal treatment is not washed into your water.

Step 4: Protect.

If you want to take things one step further, consider speaking to your local roofers about applying a protective coating that prevents lichen from taking root on your roof. This way, your roof will stay clean and beautiful for much longer.

When taking the DIY route, it’s very important to be safe, especially considering you’re working with chemicals on the roof of your home. Take things slowly and make sure you’re always stepping carefully as you treat the lichen. And when in doubt, the professionals are just a phone call away.

Take your roof’s protection up a notch with Arthur’s Roof & Property.

At Arthur’s Roof & Property, we make it our business to perfect lichen removal. Not only do we kill any existing lichen on your roof and wash it away, but we also protect your roof against future lichen growth.

If lichen or moss is starting to take over your roof, act fast. Book your lichen removal today.

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Why Choose Professional Roof Lichen Treatment for Lasting Results

By apisl2008 • March 26, 2025

If lichen has started its slow creep onto your roof, then you’re probably looking into a few different roof lichen treatment options. There are a lot of them out there, from home-brewed DIY suggestions to full-on professional-grade formulations applied by trained experts. While it’s tempting to choose the DIY route, there’s definitely a case for bringing the professionals in. Professional roof lichen treatment provides lasting results, which is a major plus when it comes to ultra-persistent lichen. Read on as we break down why choosing professional roof lichen treatment can be a major benefit for your roof, now and in the future. The Trouble with DIY Roof Lichen Removal DIY treatments might seem like a quick and easy fix, but they often don’t do the job properly. A lot of home remedies like vinegar, bleach, or store-bought sprays might knock lichen back for a while, but they don’t always get rid of it completely. Lichen is a tough little thing. It’s technically a collection of different organisms, from fungi to bacteria, so it can be difficult to kill with a single DIY treatment. That means it tends to cling on for dear life, and once it takes hold, it’s not going anywhere without a fight. Some homeowners try scrubbing it off or blasting it with a water blaster, but that comes with its own risks. Too much pressure can damage your roof, and if you don’t remove all the spores, the lichen will be back before you know it. The other issue? Most DIY solutions don’t offer long-term protection. You might get rid of what’s visible now, but without a proper treatment plan that kills the base fungus, lichen will just return, meaning more hassle (and cost) for you down the line. Why Professional Roof Lichen Treatment is Worth It They Know What They’re Doing Professional roof cleaners deal with lichen every day. They know exactly what type they’re dealing with, which treatments work best, and how to apply them properly. They also use high-quality, commercial-grade products that aren’t available at your local hardware store, so you’re getting a deeper, more effective clean. Your Roof Stays Lichen Free One of the biggest advantages of going pro is long-term protection. The best treatments don’t just kill off existing lichen; they also prevent it from coming back. That means a cleaner roof for longer and much less maintenance for you. Some companies even offer maintenance plans to keep lichen at bay, saving you the hassle of dealing with it yourself year after year. Protects Your Roof from Damage Lichen might look harmless, but it can be surprisingly destructive. It holds moisture against your roofing materials, which, over time, can lead to cracks, leaks, and even structural issues. If you go at it with a scrub brush or a water blaster, you risk damaging your tiles, shingles, or metal roofing. Professionals, on the other hand, use treatments designed to be tough on lichen but gentle on your roof. So, you won’t end up trading one problem for another. Saves You Time and Effort Let’s be honest: climbing onto your roof to deal with lichen isn’t exactly a fun weekend project. It’s time-consuming, physically demanding, and, if you’re not careful, downright dangerous. Hiring professionals to tackle your roof lichen treatment means you don’t have to lift a finger. They’ve got all the right safety gear, equipment, and know-how to get the job done quickly and effectively. Instead of spending hours battling lichen, you can leave it to the pros and get on with your day. If You Still Prefer DIY… Treating your roof lichen on your own is tougher than calling in the professionals, but if you already have some DIY know-how, then this might be your preference. Our recommendation? Make sure you find a roof lichen treatment that approaches or even matches the professional-grade sprays on the market. Not only will finding the right treatment ensure your lichen is properly dealt with, but it will also prevent that lichen from growing back fast enough to have you out there the following weekend. Something like our DeMoss moss, mould, and lichen remover is ideal here. It’s highly effective for homeowners jumping into lichen removal for themselves, and it’s cheaper than the formulas you’ll find elsewhere. At the end of the day, the number one thing to remember when dealing with roof lichen is to act fast. While this is a slow-growing organism, the damage it creates will last for your roof’s entire lifetime. Invest in a team of professionals to kill off the infestation and spray a protective layer that repels future lichen. If you’re going the DIY route, make sure to choose the right lichen killer and apply it carefully. And when in doubt, the team at Arthur’s Roof & Property is here to guide you. Get rid of roof lichen once and for all with a professional roof lichen treatment. Worried about the damage lichen could be causing to your property right now? Talk to the professionals at Arthur’s Roof & Property about treating your existing infestation and preventing lichen from growing on your roof in future. Get in touch to book your roof lichen treatment today.