The key is regular maintenance, which honestly isn’t much more than what you’d do for any roof with gutters.
I’d agree, but I’ve seen a few cases where debris in the seams led to slow leaks, especially on low-slope roofs. Moss is usually just ugly, but roots can be a real pain if there’s a weak spot in the membrane. Has anyone here tried using copper strips or similar to keep moss down? Curious if that actually works long-term or just delays the inevitable.
Copper strips do help with moss, but honestly, they’re not a magic bullet. I’ve seen them slow things down, but after a few years, especially in shady spots, the moss comes back. Debris in seams is a bigger headache—once water gets under, it’s game over. I’d focus more on keeping those seams clear than relying on copper.
“Debris in seams is a bigger headache—once water gets under, it’s game over.”
Totally agree with this. We just bought our place last year, and I was shocked how fast pine needles pile up in the valleys. Even with copper strips, the moss just finds a way back, especially on the north side. I’m learning that a leaf blower is my new best friend… Not glamorous but way cheaper than constant repairs.
Pine needles are the bane of my existence, I swear. I manage a few properties under some monster firs, and it’s like the roofs are magnets for every needle in a five-mile radius. I’ve seen folks try everything—copper strips, zinc, even those mesh gutter guards (which, by the way, just seem to collect more gunk). Leaf blowers are definitely underrated, but I’ve had tenants try to use a shop vac up there... not recommended unless you want to watch someone invent a new Olympic sport.
I’m curious, has anyone actually had luck with those newer “self-cleaning” shingles? I keep seeing ads, but I’m skeptical. Also, for those in wetter climates, do you find metal roofs really shed debris better, or is it just a different flavor of headache? I’m always torn between the low-maintenance pitch and the reality of what ends up on the roof after a windstorm.
I feel your pain with the pine needles. My place backs up to a bunch of old-growth pines, and I swear the wind just aims everything right at my roof. I tried those mesh gutter guards too—thought I was being clever, but they just turned into a weird compost pile after a few months. Ended up pulling them off and going back to the leaf blower routine.
About the self-cleaning shingles, I’ve seen the ads but haven’t met anyone who’s actually used them yet. Feels a bit like snake oil, honestly. Maybe they work better in places without so much tree debris? Hard to say.
I did go with a metal roof last year, mostly because I was tired of patching leaks after every storm. It does shed needles a bit better—stuff slides off easier when it rains—but you still get little piles in the valleys and around vents. Plus, it’s noisy as heck during hail or heavy rain, which took some getting used to. Maintenance is less, but it’s not zero. Just a different set of headaches, really.
