We’re on our way to end the wettest year in quite some time; it’s been pretty much non-stop all of December. So when the sun came out yesterday, the streets around town suddenly glowed green. And not just in the less-traveled sides either.
On this typical neighborhood street, the DayGlo cast was visible across the whole right of way. It’s not really noticeable when the clouds are out in usual full-force, but the minute the sun comes out, it’s Emerald City. So what exactly is growing on the street?
Moss. Here’s a close up of that same stretch of pavement. The asphalt has eroded enough for the moss to take hold wherever its not being worn off fast enough. That reminds me: Now that’s its dry for a few days, time to get up on the roofs of my rentals for the annual spreading of MossBeGone. Otherwise they’ll be glowing green too.
Yep, that’s the world that I live in! lol
If the pavement cracks in the top picture open much more, you might get a little grass to erupt.
Wow, that’s cool! I’ve lived in Arizona and Texas and can tell you that sure doesn’t happen in those states!
That’s a Pacific Northwest street scene if I ever saw one! You don’t need to zoom in on the license plates to know that this is either Oregon or Washington. Any vehicle that is generally parked outside will get a healthy trimming of moss, also.
that moss growth on cars can actually be avoided if desired…
That blows my mind! I can’t imagine having to treat my roof to prevent moss. I wonder what stuff I live with here in Indiana that would seem strange to people in other parts of the country.
Hoosiers :>)
Its interesting how different parts of the world have different environmental wear factors on vehicles and structures. Here NV the UV in the sunlight just hammers paint, plastics and interiors. I’ve had friends who had to make insurance cliams when the vehicle was sandblasted by wind gusts.
And then, there’s always the other alternative….such as we have here….a foot of white stuff and -20 in Manitoba. I’m guessing you’ll go with the DayGlo.
Man you should see my garage roof. More moss than shingles.
What’s this MossBeGone stuff? Any shortcuts to getting moss off the shingles once it’s there?
I’m not sure what Paul uses, but as far as roofs are concerned the only thing I’ve seen work are pressure washers, scrapers and brooms or a combination of those items. I also don’t know if there are any products available that prevent moss growth. One thing I’ve noticed, at least here in WA State, is that houses that sit under a lot of trees are far more prone to moss growth than those that have no or minimal trees. I hope this helps and Good Luck 🙂
Actually, it’s Moss-B-Ware, available at any hardware/gardening type store. You spread it (powder) along both sides of the roof ridge, and the next rain will wash it down and kill the moss.
The next summer, the moss will be dry, dark and dead. You might be able to remove it with a stiff broom, or certainly with a power washer. I try to discourage the build-up, since after a couple of years the moss gets under the shingles and separates them, and does cause shorter roof life. So I go up and do it prophylactically every two years if I see any slightest evidence of it starting. The real solution: metal roofs.
Zinc sulfate monohydrate. Excellent, I’ll try it. Thanks Paul!
“The real solution: Metal Roofs.”
No joke, I recommend a nice Standing Seam roof any chance I get. I’m looking at doing one next spring with laminated solar panels for my place.
That looks like down here in Mexico. Not moss, but grass growing up through the cobblestones. It is strange looking to a gringo, but you get used to it pretty quick. Paul, thank you for doing the series on cars in Mexico. Car watching here is a lot of fun. I have not been over to the east coast yet. I am assuming the climate there is just like on the US gulf coast. Here in the mountains of central Mexico it is warm and dry this time of year.
I’d call these Classic Curbsides.
Hahahahaha!
Wow, that’s some environmentally friendly asphalt! Funny that in the first photo it seem to happen on one side only.
It was -36C here two days ago. No moss.
In Michigan, this phenomena only occurs on asphalt and sod roofs.
However, you know it’s winter when the streets are stained as white as the snow from all the salt.
Of course, the da UP, they don’t even plow down to the pavement in many places.
“Of course, in da UP, they don’t even plow down to the pavement in many places.”
This happens because Yoopers don’t give a $#!% mostly. Most Yoopers just don’t care if their roads are plowed because they have “alternate forms of transportation” (a.k.a. Snowmobiles for those of you on the coasts and those south of the Mason-Dixon Line).
“Sitting in an English garden waiting for the sun………
If the sun don’t come you get your tan
by standing in the English rain…….”
……John Lennon, I Am The Walrus, 1967
Eeshk, that’s pretty extreme. Currently summering with family in adelaide, and can’t imagine a greater contrast with the frazzled brown that I’m seeing every day. Gotta say though, this is a good,places for CCs – hot and dry, with never a hint of salt on the roads. Went to the local retirement area (victor harbour) and it was swarming with good condition mid-80s iron. Plus endless older holdens of course. No photos for the cohort sadly, but a couple of dedicated days with the camera would reap big results, I’m sure.
Oh well, off to see the other side of,the family in the uk next week. Might be seeing a bit of moss, going by current weather reports.
No roadworthy inspections in S.A. keeps many old cars on the road there
I never knew anything about the moss thing. Here in Pittsburgh, it is snowing as I write. About 5″ a couple of days ago, at least 3 or 4 inches since midnight. Still coming down at 8 AM.
No golf or cruising for a while. Keep warm!
Its been raining here in the UK for 2 weeks !. T the bridge road is flooded so its an extra 5 miles to work.
Eugene is as far down as we got from Vancouver, BC back in 89. Nice clean town Paul.
By the Way do you watch “Grave Yard Cars” series on Discovery ?. Its based near Portland,Or and rebuild MOPAR muscle cars with matching numbers for $120000 plus!.
Hapry New Year from Bedford ,UK.
Mark.
This phenomenon is especially noticeable on country roads that go east – west. If there are tall fir trees on the south side, some of these road surfaces will never be dry from about November to April. There is also often a buildup of fir needles and tips and dead leaves down the center stripe. It’s nearly impossible to keep from tracking brown fir needles into the house too.
I’ll take moss over this any day! This is a few days ago in Montreal.
I’m green with envy and moss:D
Just east of the Cascades, (about 180 miles SE of Eugene and about 4000 feet higher) all our roads are packed snow/ice, with occasional bare asphalt where the traffic has been heavy. Yesterday, we had a high of 19 F. In the summer time, we get 80s to high 90s, so moss doesn’t have much of a chance. The biggest roof maintenance this season is preventing ice dams.
Have a close look at our Junipers Red, they grow moss on ’em.