I get where you're coming from, but sometimes “biological growth” is the only safe way to phrase it if you can’t get up close. If inspectors start guessing between moss, algae, or lichen and get it wrong, that’s a liability too. I’d rather see a vague note than a flat-out misidentification—at least then you know to double-check before making decisions.
- Totally get the liability concern—nobody wants to play “guess that green fuzz” and end up in court.
- Still, sometimes I wish they’d snap a zoomed-in pic or two. I’ve seen “biological growth” turn out to be everything from moss to a half-eaten tennis ball (not kidding, windy day).
- On my own green roof, I actually hope for moss, but I know that’s not everyone’s jam.
- Anyway, vague beats wrong, but man, it does make planning next steps a bit of a puzzle...
I’m right there with you on the “what is that green thing?” mystery. Got my first inspection report last month and it was like reading a weather forecast from Mars—“possible biological presence, recommend further evaluation.” I’m standing in my kitchen, staring at the PDF, thinking... is this code for “you have a roof garden now” or “your house is about to be eaten by mold”? Zero close-ups, just one blurry shot that could be anything from moss to a mutant avocado.
Here’s how I handled it, for what it’s worth:
Step 1: I climbed up (well, more like nervously shuffled up) with my phone and took my own pics. Not saying everyone should do this—my neighbor definitely laughed when I nearly dropped my phone into the gutter—but at least I got a better look. Turned out to be some moss and, weirdly, a chunk of green pool noodle. No idea how that got up there. Wind? Squirrels? The mysteries of homeownership...
Step 2: Googled “moss on asphalt shingles” and immediately panicked because every site made it sound like my roof would collapse by next Tuesday. Decided to chill out and called a local roofer for a second opinion. He said it was pretty minor and just needed a gentle cleaning, not a full replacement (phew).
Step 3: Bought one of those long-handled brushes and did a careful sweep myself. Not gonna lie, it was kind of satisfying—like giving the house a spa day. Also found two tennis balls and what looked like an old sandwich bag. My roof is apparently where all the neighborhood debris goes to retire.
I get why inspectors are vague—they probably see some wild stuff and don’t want to get sued for calling your moss a mushroom or whatever. But yeah, it makes figuring out what to do next feel like solving a riddle. If you’re comfortable getting up there safely, snapping your own pics helps. Otherwise, maybe see if your inspector can send you the originals or at least point out the exact spot.
At this point, I’m just hoping my next report doesn’t mention “unidentified purple growth.” Not sure I’m ready for that level of sci-fi yet...
- Vague inspection language is a pet peeve of mine. “Possible biological presence” could mean moss, algae, mold, or just a lost salad. I get the liability angle, but it doesn’t help the homeowner actually know what to do next.
- Moss is super common, especially if you’ve got trees nearby or your roof doesn’t get much sun. Asphalt shingles are magnets for it in shady, damp spots. Most of the time, it’s not an emergency unless it’s thick or spreading fast. But yeah—if you let it sit for years, it can lift shingles and mess with drainage.
- DIY cleaning is fine for light moss, but watch for granule loss. Some folks get too aggressive and end up scrubbing off more shingle than moss. I usually recommend a soft brush (which you did), no pressure washers, and skip the bleach—just makes a mess and can damage plants below.
- That “pool noodle” debris is hilarious but also not uncommon. Storms toss up all sorts of junk. After a big wind event, I’ve found everything from kids’ toys to someone’s Halloween decorations wedged behind vents.
- If you’re in an area with harsh winters or lots of storms, keep an eye out for missing shingles or lifted edges after you clean. Moss can hide storm damage that inspectors miss if they’re just glancing from the ground.
- Reports never have enough close-ups. If you ever get hail or wind claims, insurance will want clear, dated photos. Can’t hurt to snap your own every year or so—makes a difference when you need proof.
- “Unidentified purple growth” is probably just lichen, but yeah, that’s when you call in backup. Or move.
Bottom line: vague inspection reports are annoying, but as long as you keep tabs on your roof and don’t let stuff fester up there, you’re probably ahead of most people. Just don’t fall off trying to solve the mystery... roofs are unforgiving about that kind of curiosity.
That “possible biological presence” line always gets me too—feels like a cop-out. Honestly, I wish more inspectors would just call it what it is, even if it’s just moss or algae. In my experience, the real trouble starts when folks ignore those vague warnings and then suddenly they’re dealing with leaks or rot. Curious if anyone here’s ever actually had an insurance claim denied because the report was too vague or missing photos? I’ve seen adjusters get real picky about that stuff.
