An introduction to industrial moss removal

Is your commercial building looking a little green? Moss may look fairly innocent, sometimes even appealing to some in small amounts with its luscious green shades, but be warned: this pesky plant can cause some serious damage when left unchecked. Be it the roof of your retail store, the pavement outside your office building, or the walls and gutters of your warehouse, moss problems need to be dealt with quickly.

If you've spotted some moss, you might be a bit unsure about the moss removal process. In this post, we'll detail what moss is, why it needs to be removed, and how we professionals do it.

What is industrial moss removal?

As the service name suggests, industrial moss removal is the process of removing moss in commercial and industrial settings. This could be from walls, car parks, roofs, and anywhere else this pesky plant crops up and spreads. Using chemicals and specialist equipment, professionals remove the moss quickly and efficiently, leaving behind a smooth, clean surface. Experts like ourselves will also treat the area to prevent moss from re-growing later on down the line.

Moss, explained

Moss isn't like your typical plant, as it doesn't have roots. Instead, it has 'rhizoids', which are fine, hair-like structures that act as an anchor. These rhizoids help moss stay attached to surfaces, but they don't absorb nutrients and water like most plants. Instead, moss gets what it needs through its leaves.

Moss thrives in damp climates, making the UK the perfect home for it to flourish, much to the detriment of our buildings and ground surfaces. While it can grow anywhere, it particularly enjoys cool and shady spots, making it more likely to gather and spread if your building or ground falls in the shade of trees or other buildings. Getting it removed properly by professionals is essential to keep it in check and stop it from causing damage.

Is moss removal worth it?

The simple answer is yes, moss removal is absolutely worth it. But why? Although the soft, green, carpet-like patches may seem pretty innocuous, they can cause devastation, including:

• Water damage
• Surface damage
• Integrity damage
• Loss of reputation

Moss causes dampness

Moss loves moisture. It starts its life as a spore which, when it lands where moisture is present, starts to rapidly grow into moss and then spread. As well as seeking out moisture, moss also produces a lot of water and holds it, resulting in the surface beneath it getting damp and not drying out. This can also encourage lichen (those small, white spots you see on roofs) to grow, which damages materials in the same way. This might not seem like an issue for a small area, but picture a rooftop covered in moss; that whole surface is going to be constantly wet.

This dampness leads to roofing materials cracking and warping, and maybe even rotting away if the moss has been present for a long time. Shingles, wood, brick and other porous materials will eventually suffer greatly when home to moss, which can also encourage mould thanks to the moisture buildup.

Moss expands

Unfortunately, that's not where the damage can end. Thanks to its spongy, fast-growing body, moss can expand and break apart materials. If it sits between shingles or tiles, its growth can force them apart, creating cracks and holes that moisture can slip through, causing water damage and leaks. This is even worse in winter, when the water within the moss can freeze, expanding it further.

This innocent-looking plant has the power to do some serious, irreversible damage to infrastructure.

Moss looks ugly

Finally, it's worth removing moss for aesthetic purposes. While out in nature, moss can look beautiful, but it has no place spreading free across walls, roofs, driveways, and other ground surfaces. The growth of moss in commercial settings has become synonymous with a lack of care and is often thought of as unprofessional. You don't want people showing up to your place of work and seeing old, overgrown moss crawling across the structure.

How do professionals remove moss?

External cleaning teams like ours use various specialist cleaning systems for walls, roofs, and paving, along with powerful chemical solutions that penetrate moss quickly and more efficiently than products you'll find on the shelves.  Once cleared of moss, surfaces will be treated with a chemical that deters moss from regrowing for the next three to five years.

The good news is that a proper moss removal should only be a one-time thing, as long as the area is kept on top of with prevention treatments when necessary.

Is moss hard to get rid of?

The ease of moss removal really depends on how you go about it. While there are plenty of methods online for how to remove moss, almost none of these are going to target the underlying causes that keep bringing it back, and none are suited to large areas. By hiring professionals like Vivo Clean, you can rest assured that the moss will be removed from your building fast and efficiently, and the surface will then be treated to prevent it from coming back over the next three to five years. By choosing a team with the right equipment and experience, moss is simple to get rid of and keep away.

How much does it cost to get moss removed?

The cost of commercial moss removal depends on several factors:

• The thickness of the moss - The thicker the layer of moss is, the more product will be required to penetrate it for treatment.
• The amount of moss - Small areas of moss will cost less to remove than entire surfaces covered in the clinging plant. This is why it's smart to get started with moss removal at the very first signs of growth, rather than waiting for it to spread and cause problems.
• The time it takes to treat - Thick moss and larger areas of moss don't just use more product; they take more time and effort from removal teams. Quoting will accurately reflect how long the professionals believe the job will take.

The best way to find out how much moss removal will cost for your business is to get in touch. We'll visit your site and take a good look at the moss, as well as other external cleaning requirements. Then, we'll give you a transparent quote on how much the entire external service will cost, including moss removal and treatment.

What time of year is best for moss removal?

Although moss can be removed and surface areas treated all year round, we've found that some times of year are a little more efficient for the removal process than others.

The best time to attack moss is during its growth period, as this is when it's at its most vulnerable due to spending the majority of its energy on growing. This means that spring is the ideal time to hire a team to remove your moss problem, with early summer a close second. Teams find it best to work when it's dry, too, without heavy rainfall or frost to potentially affect the potency of chemical treatments.

How do I arrange a professional moss removal service?

Arranging for moss removal couldn't be easier for those based in Suffolk. Here at Vivo Clean, we offer expert external cleaning services, which include our professional moss removal, along with window cleaning, cladding cleaning, gutter clearing and cleaning, jet washing, and graffiti removal. Keeping your building, from warehouses to office blocks, looking clean and professional is our job, and we do it well.

Give us a call on 01473 599 500 for a chat, email us at hello@vivoclean.co.uk, or use our easy online enquiry form for a callback, and let's get your commercial cleaning services underway.

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