I’ve learned the hard way that if you ignore it even just one year, it creeps under the edges and starts lifting shingles.
I actually went down the copper strip rabbit hole last fall. Installed them along the ridge, hoping for a low-maintenance fix. Six months in, I do see less moss where the rain runs over the copper, but the shaded lower areas still get green. Not a total solution, but it’s slowed things down—definitely not just hype, but not magic either. If you go that route, make sure to clear debris so water actually flows over the strips... learned that part the hard way.
I went the copper strip route too, but I probably over-engineered it (story of my life). I put them on both the ridge and halfway down, thinking more coverage = less moss. It helped, but like you said, the shaded spots still get that green fuzz. I’m in the PNW, so moss is basically a roommate at this point.
One thing I didn’t expect: if you don’t clean out your gutters and valleys first, the copper doesn’t do much. Water just finds another path and skips right over the strips. I ended up on the roof with a leaf blower more often than I planned... not my favorite Saturday activity.
If anyone’s curious about timing, I check things every spring and fall now. Quick sweep for debris, make sure nothing’s blocking the copper, and spot-treat stubborn patches with a scrub brush. Not zero-maintenance, but way better than letting it go until shingles start curling up like potato chips.
Copper strips are a solid move, but I totally get what you mean about the shaded spots. I’m in western Oregon and it’s like moss has a personal vendetta against my roof. I tried just doing the ridge at first, but after a couple years, the north-facing side was still green enough to look like a chia pet. Ended up adding a second strip lower down, which helped, but yeah—nothing’s perfect.
One thing that surprised me: how much difference it makes to actually clear out the valleys and gutters before the rainy season hits. First year I skipped it, thinking “eh, the copper will handle it.” Nope. Water just detoured around all the gunk and left big patches untouched. Now I do a sweep every fall (usually right after the leaves drop) and again in early spring. Takes maybe an hour with a blower and a scoop, but it saves me from having to scrub off thick moss later.
I’ve also found that if you let debris pile up—even just pine needles or maple seeds—it kind of acts like a sponge and keeps everything damp. That’s when moss really takes off. If I keep things mostly clear, the copper seems to do its job on the exposed areas.
For anyone wondering about frequency: twice a year is my sweet spot. More than that feels like overkill unless we get some crazy windstorm that dumps extra branches up there. And honestly, I’d rather spend an hour or two twice a year than deal with replacing shingles or patching leaks down the road.
Funny thing is, my neighbor swears by zinc strips instead of copper. He says they’re cheaper and work just as well, but his roof still looks pretty fuzzy to me... Maybe it’s just our climate—sometimes you’re just fighting a losing battle with moss around here.
Anyway, not zero-maintenance for sure, but way less hassle than letting things go until you’ve got mushrooms growing up there.
I hear you on the moss—mine’s like a science experiment gone wrong every spring. Tried the zinc strips last year because they were half the price of copper, but honestly, I don’t see much difference except my wallet’s lighter. I’m in the “twice a year” camp too, mostly because if I skip a season, I end up regretting it. One year I waited until late winter, and the stuff was so thick I had to scrape it off with a garden hoe. Never again. For me, a little effort twice a year beats a big headache later.
For me, a little effort twice a year beats a big headache later.
Couldn’t agree more with this approach. Moss is relentless, especially if you’ve got any shade or north-facing slopes. Zinc strips are hit or miss—chemically, they’re less effective than copper, especially over time. I get the temptation to save a few bucks, but in my experience, copper’s worth the extra up front if you’re really trying to keep things green-free.
I’m in the “preventative maintenance” camp too. Skipping a season always seems like a good idea until you’re out there scraping off what looks like a chia pet gone wild. I’ve seen folks try all sorts of shortcuts—sprays, pressure washers, even those plastic mesh things—but nothing beats just getting up there and dealing with it before it gets out of hand.
If you ever think about switching to a green roof or even just adding more ventilation, it can help keep moss at bay too. Not for everyone, but it’s made a difference for me. Twice a year is the sweet spot—any less and you’re asking for trouble, any more and you’re probably just making extra work for yourself.
