Richmond roofs develop moss faster than almost anywhere else in Metro Vancouver. The city sits at sea level, receives over 1,100mm of annual rainfall, and tree canopy over many residential neighbourhoods keeps north-facing roof sections damp for weeks at a time. Moss thrives in exactly those conditions.
Left untreated, moss anchors into shingles with root-like structures that lift the adhesive seal between shingles. Water gets under during rain. Over several seasons, this leads to rot in the roof deck — repairs that cost far more than a decade of regular cleaning.
The Canadian Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers' Association (CASMA) advises against pressure washing for asphalt shingles. High pressure strips the granule coating that protects the shingle mat from UV degradation — damage that cannot be reversed and may void your roof warranty.
Soft washing uses low pressure — typically under 100 PSI — combined with a diluted sodium hypochlorite solution. The chemistry kills moss, algae, and lichen at the biological level, rhizoids included. Growth dies within days. Rain naturally rinses the dead material off over the following weeks, with no mechanical stress on your shingles.
A properly treated Richmond roof stays clean for two to four years, depending on tree coverage and roof orientation.
Steveston, Broadmoor, McLennan, Terra Nova, Hamilton, Seafair, Brighouse, Lackner, Quilchena, Ironwood, South Arm, Garden City — and Vancouver and Delta.