If My Roof Has Moss, Does The Homeowner's Warranty Cover It?

This seemingly harmless greenery can lead to significant problems for your home. If you’ve noticed moss taking hold on your shingles, you probably wonder whether your homeowner's warranty will cover the damage. 

Let's explore what moss can do to your roof, whether your warranty will likely cover it, and how you can protect your home from this quiet intruder.

Moss is typical in damp, shady environments, making your roof the perfect breeding ground if conditions are right. While it might look innocent enough, moss can cause damage to your roof over time:

• Moisture Retention: Moss acts like a sponge, holding onto moisture long after rain. This persistent dampness can lead to wood rot, weaken the structure of your roof, and accelerate the deterioration of your shingles.
• Shingle Damage: As moss grows, it can lift and separate shingles, creating gaps where water can seep. Over time, this can cause leaks and water damage in your home, potentially leading to costly repairs.
• Debris Accumulation: Moss traps debris like leaves and twigs, which can clog your gutters and downspouts. When gutters are blocked, water can back up and overflow, damaging your home’s foundation or exterior walls.
• Accelerated Roof Aging: The combination of trapped moisture and physical damage can cause your roof to age prematurely, shortening its lifespan and increasing the likelihood that you’ll need to replace it sooner than expected.

Understanding the specifics of your homeowner warranty is crucial. While coverage can vary, there are some general trends to be aware of when it comes to moss-related damage:

• Maintenance Exclusions: Most homeowner warranties explicitly exclude coverage for damage caused by a lack of maintenance or neglect. Since moss growth is generally considered preventable with proper roof care, any damage it causes is often deemed the homeowner’s responsibility. If moss leads to leaks or structural damage, your warranty will unlikely cover the repairs.
• Roof Coverage Limitations: Even if your warranty includes roof coverage, it typically applies to defects in materials or artistry rather than external factors like moss. For instance, that might be covered if your shingles were improperly installed, leading to premature failure. But if moss grows because of a shaded area on your roof, the resulting damage would usually fall outside the scope of coverage.
• Maintenance Clauses: Some warranties include specific clauses requiring regular maintenance to keep your coverage active. This often involves cleaning gutters, removing debris, and promptly addressing issues like moss growth. Failure to do so could void your warranty, especially if the neglect leads to further damage.
• Be aware that in cases where moss has caused extensive damage, leading to a necessary roof replacement, your claim might be denied if the warranty provider determines that the damage could have been prevented through proper maintenance. Therefore, documenting any maintenance work you do on your roof, including moss removal, is essential to support future claims.

While your homeowner warranty might not cover moss-related damage, there are several steps you can take to protect your roof:

• Regular roof inspections are essential: Inspect your roof at least twice a year, especially after heavy rainfall or during the spring and fall. Look for signs of moss growth, damaged shingles, or any areas where moisture accumulates. Early identification and intervention can prevent costly damage.
• Timely Moss Removal: If you spot moss on your roof, removing it as soon as possible is crucial. This might involve gently scrubbing the affected areas with a soft brush and a moss-killing solution or hiring a professional to handle the job. Be cautious—using harsh chemicals or too much force can damage your shingles.
• Improve Sunlight Exposure: Moss thrives in shady conditions, so increasing sunlight exposure to your roof can help. This might involve trimming back overhanging tree branches or even thinning out nearby vegetation to allow more light to reach your roof.
• Ensure Proper Drainage: Keeping your gutters and downspouts clean and debris-free to ensure water flows freely off your roof is crucial. Proper drainage helps reduce the chances of water pooling on your roof, which can create the moist environment that moss loves.
• Install Preventive Measures: Consider installing zinc or copper strips along the ridges of your roof. When it rains, these metals produce a residue that inhibits moss growth. While this won’t remove existing moss, it can help prevent future growth.
• Consider Moss-Resistant Roofing Materials: If you want a new roof, consider investing in moss-resistant shingles. These are specially designed to prevent moss from taking hold, reducing the need for ongoing maintenance.

Addressing moss on your roof isn’t just about preserving your home’s curb appeal but protecting your investment. Roof repairs and replacements can be expensive, and moss can significantly reduce the lifespan of your roofing materials. 

By taking a proactive approach to roof maintenance and fully understanding the limitations of your homeowner warranty, you can help ensure that your home remains safe and sound for years to come.

 Dyson Roofing Corp offers thorough roofing maintenance and cleaning services designed to prevent damage and prolong the life of your roofing system. So, don’t hesitate to Contact Us; it will be a pleasure to help you!