Moss Thrives in Dark Wet Areas Winter is When Organic Matter Thrives

Toggle Menu

Your buildings will
look brand new

Slippery Moss

Sanitise It

To Remove It

Before

Before and After Holiday Inn Express

After

Render Cleaning at Holiday Inn Express

As trusted by:

What Time of Year Does Moss, Lichen and Mould Grow the Most?

Cladding Cleaning Hellmann Before

30th November 2021 General

Moss growth in Winter. What Time of Year Does Moss, Lichen and Mould Grow the Most?

One of the most common questions asked of exterior cleaning companies is about Moss growth in Winter.

Winter sees the most growth than any other season because it is generally darker at this time of year. Although growth continues at any time of year when it rains especially in shady dark or humid areas.

On dark stones, bricks, roof tiles and other hard surfaces these types of organic matter thrive in the darker days of Winter. Commonly known as Nostoc this type of Cyanobacteria is often mistakenly called gelatinous algae.

Mosses, lichens and moulds need moisture to thrive, and Winter provides excellent conditions for them here in the UK. This is due to plenty of rainy days and much shorter dark days when compared to Spring and Summer.

On homes the North facing elevations always have the highest level of organic matter growth and can be seen as darker green almost black shades.

Often one side of the roof will have heavier moss and lichen growth on it. When wet, moss becomes heavier and will often weigh more than a ton. Clumps often fall off into the gutters causing blockages.

When it is wet outside, driveways, paths and patios can become very slippery during the Autumn and Winter months.

Exterior cleaning companies often get asked is it better to leave outside cleaning work till March or April. The answer is no. You should be in the mindset of cleaning away all types of moulds, mosses and lichens as soon as you notice them. Better still an annual or bi-annual maintenance plan will keep all of your exterior surfaces free from slippery organic matter growth.

See other moss growth in winter explanations here 

Comments are closed.

Case Studies of Our Cleaning Work


See all case studies
  • Case Study

     Purple Rhino Author Logo

    Brown Powder Coated Window Frame Restoration Chertsey

  • Case Study

     Purple Rhino Author Logo

    Window Cleaners – Queen Ethelburgas & Thorpe Underwood Estate

  • Case Study

     Purple Rhino Author Logo

    Environment Agency Solar Panel Cleaning

  • Case Study

     Purple Rhino Author Logo

    Floor Cleaning – Gloucester

  • Case Study

     Purple Rhino Author Logo

    Commercial Window Cleaning – London

  • Case Study

     Purple Rhino Author Logo

    K-Rend Render Softwashing East Grinstead

What our Clients Think


See all testimonials
  • The Process was not too noisy and Purple Rhino really cared about our staff, visitors and residents, nothing was too much trouble for them.

    Lady Elizabeth House Manager
    Bell Group Ltd, Slough

  • Excellent Service – Minimal Disruption – Would Use For Render Cleaning Again

    Worthing Hospital Hospital Manager
    Worthing Hospital, Worthing

  • “We were very pleased with the service we received from Purple Rhino at a very reasonable price too! The staff were friendly and did a fantastic job! I would have no hesitation in recommending Purple Rhino”

    Andy Hooper Premises Manager
    Beacon Community College, East Sussex

  • “Purple Rhino first sent us through an informative booklet about Industrial building cleaning in March 2013, I invited them down to survey our six storey building in Crawley, West Sussex known as The Atrium, they agreed to carry out a test sample FREE of charge and without obligation. The test results were extremely positive and it was agreed that the whole building façade and glass restoration service was needed to make the building look presentable once again. The works took them just over three weeks, and they gained access by using the building’s own cradle system and the use of Access Platforms, with minimal disruption to our staff and neighbours, the building now looks extremely good as it did when constructed. We will be using Purple Rhino for an agreed scheduled cleaning service to keep the building looking pristine at all times”

    Graeme Ferguson Head of Property
    Tui,

Purple Rhino Blog


See all Purple Rhino News

Our Recent Work

Call Us Email Us

Your buildings will
look brand new