In neighborhoods like Nokomis, Highland Park, and Longfellow, where mature trees offer beautiful shade and privacy, they also bring an unwelcome guest to your roof—moss. While it might look harmless (even quaint), moss slowly eats away at your shingles, traps moisture, and leads to rot, leaks, and mold.
And in the Twin Cities, where we deal with snowmelt, spring rains, and humidity all year round, that moss doesn’t just dry up and blow away come summer. If you leave it, it’ll cost you in repairs—or even force an early roof replacement.
If you’re wondering how to safely get moss off your Minneapolis or St. Paul roof, here are five smart options—plus when to call in the pros.
Key Takeaways
- Moss causes roof damage over time by holding moisture that leads to mold, wood rot, and lifted shingles.
- Safe moss removal options like vinegar or baking soda work well, while pressure washers can ruin your shingles.
- Shaded roofs, clogged gutters, and poor ventilation make moss worse, so regular upkeep helps prevent major damage.
- Professional roof care in the Twin Cities offers safe moss removal, honest pricing, and lifetime workmanship guarantees.
1. Use a Safe Moss Removal Spray (Not a Pressure Washer)
There are a few safe ways to kill moss without damaging your roof.
But here’s the key: don’t pressure wash.
High pressure can strip away the protective granules on asphalt shingles—especially older ones common in homes around Mac-Groveland and Southwest Minneapolis.
DIY Moss Spray Options
If you’re dealing with light moss buildup and want to try a quick DIY before calling in a pro, here are a few homeowner-safe options that won’t damage your shingles or harm nearby landscaping:
- White vinegar + water: Mix 50/50 with a dash of dish soap. Spray on with a garden sprayer and let it sit for 20–30 minutes.
- Baking soda: Sprinkle directly on the moss; it dries it out and makes it easier to brush or rinse off.
- Boiling water: Simple but effective for small patches—though not ideal for bigger jobs.
Safety tip: If your roof is steep or hard to access (like many Tudor-style homes in Crocus Hill), don’t risk it. Moss removal on a sloped roof without safety gear is dangerous—and if you miss spots, it’ll just grow back.
2. Trim Back Overhanging Branches
Shaded roofs don’t dry out quickly, especially in older areas with tree-heavy boulevards like Kenwood or Summit Hill. Trimming branches is one of the best ways to reduce moss growth.
But here’s the catch—climbing ladders with a chainsaw isn’t exactly a safe weekend project.
Best Practice
Hire a local pro to cut back overhanging branches and give your roof more exposure to sunlight. More sun = less moss. Plus, trimmed trees reduce leaf buildup in your gutters (we’ll talk about that next).
3. Clean Out Your Gutters (Especially After Fall)
Clogged gutters are a major moisture trap. During rainy months in the Twin Cities—especially the heavy spring downpours—overflowing gutters can cause water to back up under your shingles and lead to moss or mold growth.
In neighborhoods like Linden Hills or Como Park, where mature trees drop tons of leaves, you might need to clean gutters multiple times per year.
What Helps
To keep water flowing and moss at bay, here’s what we recommend:
- Schedule regular gutter cleanings, especially in spring and fall.
- Consider installing gutter guards to reduce leaf buildup.
- Ensure downspouts are directing water away from the home properly.
4. Check Your Attic Ventilation
Even if your roof looks clean, poor ventilation in your attic can create hidden moisture problems that feed moss from below. We see this a lot in older homes near Dinkytown and Cathedral Hill that haven’t had attic upgrades.
Signs of Poor Ventilation
If you’re not sure whether poor attic ventilation is contributing to moss growth, here are a few signs to watch for:
- Condensation in your attic
- Warped wood or mold near soffits
- Moss reappearing even after cleaning
Have a roofer check your soffit and ridge vents, and make sure your attic insulation isn’t trapping moisture. Upgrading ventilation reduces not only moss but also your energy bills, especially with our hot-humid summers and freezing winters.
5. Rinse Off Debris Regularly (Without High Pressure)
Leaves, pine needles, and small twigs hold moisture and create the perfect environment for moss. But don’t be tempted to blast the debris away with a pressure washer—especially on delicate roofing materials found in older Twin Cities homes.
Instead:
- Use a soft broom or garden hose with a wide-spray nozzle to rinse the roof gently.
- Avoid standing water pooling on the roof (especially in roof valleys).
- Consider hiring a pro for seasonal roof cleaning and inspection.
Keep Moss Off Your Roof the Right Way
Moss may seem like a minor issue, but left unchecked, it leads to lifted shingles, mold growth, wood rot, and costly structural repairs. In neighborhoods with lots of trees and year-round moisture, like Edina, St. Anthony Park, and Powderhorn, it can take hold fast and quietly ruin your roof.
At Krech Exteriors, we offer professional roof inspections, moss removal, and routine maintenance tailored to Minneapolis–St. Paul’s unique climate. Our licensed and insured team provides transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and our quality craftsmanship is built to last a lifetime.
Need a longer-term solution?
We also offer energy-efficient roof replacements that come with a lifetime guarantee—and can help lower your utility bills by up to 20%.
Call us today at 651-349-4514 or request a free quote online.
Let’s keep your roof clean, strong, and moss-free all year round.
