Zinc for Moss Control

Moss

• Soft and green, moss is not a threat to your home on its own. It grows on roofs and shady patios, especially in cloudy climates. If left unmanaged, however, it can lead to serious problems around your home. On your roof, it gives seeds a place to grow. As plants get bigger, their roots can displace shingles and tiles, causing damage and roof leaks. On a patio, moss is a dangerous slip hazard, especially since it becomes even slicker when wet.

Clean Up

• Zinc can help you clean up problem moss around your home. Purchase zinc chloride at a home repair store or garden nursery. Combine one part zinc chloride with nine parts water. Spray the mixture on moss growing on your roof or patio, soaking it thoroughly. Let the mixture sit on the moss for an hour, then spray away the dead moss with a hose or pressure washer. On a patio, use a broom to scrape away dead moss. Avoid spraying the mixture directly on any landscaped plants around your patio.

Prevention

• Use zinc to prevent moss growth. If moss has been a recurring problem, expect it to come back a few months after you use the zinc chloride solution. Install zinc strips on your roof and around your patio to stop it. Every time it storms, rainwater washes over the zinc. This causes the metal to release ions, which the water carries down your roof or across your patio. The ions kill moss and other fungal growths on contact, and destroy moss spores before they can grow and spread.

Considerations

• Zinc strips are safe to use on roofs made of wood, asphalt shingles and tile. For a roof with a history of moss problems, install multiple rows of zinc strips about 2 or 3 feet apart to ensure maximum protection. You can install zinc strips on a roof where moss is already growing and wait for the ions to kill the fungus, but it is faster to kill it with the zinc chloride solution. On a patio, use a broom to scrape away moss patches in between rainstorms.