MossGo Pro Remove Moss Algae & Lichen

Lichen Removal in Roof Maintenance

As well as moss & algae, MossGo Pro is also effective on roof surfaces affected by lichen.

What Exactly is that Lichen on my Roof?

One of the oldest life forms on earth. It consists of an algae and a fungi living symbiotically. The algae supplies the fungi with food and the fungi provides good shelter and moisture to the algae. All they need is sun and water. Algae have evolved to etch themselves onto rocks with the help of a weak organic acid. In doing so, they eroded enough rock to become a main contributor to the apparition of soil on the planet.

There is no issue with the erosion itself on a building, but the acidic releases will affect metals, Lead in particular, and can damage the galvanisation of steel components.

The algaecide properties of MossGo Pro have a lethal effect on lichen, but it's strong bond with the substrate takes time to weaken. Wet, dry and frosty changes in weather conditions will eventually clear the white patches left on roof surfaces.

Slow and Steady Result

These two roof surfaces shown below have been exposed for 27 years. On the left, it has weathered, while on the right MossGo Pro was applied after 24 years. The dark hue is given by a fungi. The two roofs are about 20 metres apart in Southern England.

The lichen dies relatively quickly, but is well encrusted on the tile and should take a few months to be substantially washed away.

Coin size lichen, once dead, begin to absorb water and dry up with the weather cycles. The curling in dry spells eventually detaches them.

Black lichen are common in parts of Scotland. In Southern England the black discolorations are often a fungi, and tend to spread more rapidly.