I’m right there with you—putting zinc strips on my own roof last fall. North side gets all the moss, and honestly, it’s better but not perfect. Still had to get up there with a brush for a few stubborn spots. I guess it’s more of a slow-down than a fix.
Haven’t tried copper yet, mostly because of the price tag. I did read that copper’s supposed to last longer and work better, but not sure it’s worth double or triple the cost for my situation. My place is shaded and we get a ton of rain, so maybe nothing really keeps the moss away for good.
If you found any improvement at all, that’s a win in my book. Roof maintenance is just never-ending, isn’t it?
Roof maintenance is just never-ending, isn’t it?
That’s the truth. I’m in the PNW and the moss on my roof is relentless—north side especially, just like you said. I put up zinc strips a couple years back after reading all the rave reviews, and honestly, I noticed some improvement, but it wasn’t as dramatic as I’d hoped. Maybe it’s because my house is tucked under a bunch of fir trees, or maybe it’s just that nothing really stands a chance against this much shade and rain.
I’ve been tempted by copper too, but that price tag is wild. I keep wondering if it actually makes enough difference to justify the cost, or if it’s just one of those things people say is “the best” because it’s expensive. Has anyone actually compared copper vs zinc side by side? Or is it more about how often you’re willing to get up there and scrub? I’m always nervous about damaging the shingles with too much brushing, but leaving the moss seems worse in the long run.
One thing I tried last spring was that powdered moss killer you sprinkle along the ridge. It worked okay, but then we got a heavy rain and most of it just washed off before it had a chance to do much. Do those work better for anyone else, or is it just a waste of money in a rainy spot?
I keep seeing those drone inspection reports with fancy thermal images—makes me wonder if they can spot moss issues before they get bad, or if it’s mostly just marketing hype. Anyone had luck catching roof problems early with one of those sci-fi looking reports?
Feels like with roofs, you’re always stuck choosing between spending money now or spending more later. Sometimes I think about just letting the moss take over and calling it “natural insulation,” but then I remember what happened to my neighbor’s place... whole section of shingles lifted right up.
Guess we’re all just fighting the same uphill battle. Curious if anyone’s found something that actually keeps the moss off for a full year—or is that just wishful thinking?
I’ve wondered the same about those drone reports—do they actually pick up moss before it’s visible, or is it just a cool-looking PDF? I had one done after a storm, and it flagged “thermal anomalies,” but honestly, it just meant my attic was cold. Anyone seen moss or moisture issues caught early by those scans, or is it mostly for leaks?
That “thermal anomaly” thing cracks me up a bit—sometimes it’s just a drafty attic or a vent that’s not insulated right, but the PDF makes it look like you’ve got a UFO landing on your house. I’ve seen those scans flag cold spots that turned out to be nothing more than a missing chunk of insulation, not a leak or moisture at all. The tech’s impressive, but it’s not magic.
About moss, though—honestly, I haven’t seen a drone scan catch it before it’s visible to the naked eye. Moss tends to show up in shaded, damp spots, and by the time there’s enough moisture for a thermal camera to notice, you’ll probably see some green fuzz if you get up there. I’d say the scans are better at catching leaks or wet insulation, especially after a storm, than early moss growth.
Has anyone had luck with these scans picking up hidden moisture before it turned into a bigger problem? I’m curious if it’s actually saved someone from a major repair down the line, or if it just gives peace of mind (or maybe a little unnecessary worry). Also, what kind of roofs are we talking about here—shingles, tile, metal? I’ve noticed the results can be all over the place depending on the material and even the color of the roof.
One thing I do wonder—are these drone reports more accurate in certain climates? I’m in the Pacific Northwest where moss is basically our state flower, but maybe in drier places they catch different issues. Anyone seen a difference?
Thermal scans definitely have their quirks. I’ve seen them flag “anomalies” that turned out to be nothing more than a sun-warmed patch of metal flashing or a vent that wasn’t sealed right. But I will say, on flat commercial roofs (especially with membrane systems), they can sometimes catch trapped moisture before it’s visible—though it’s hit or miss on steep-slope shingle roofs. In the PNW, moss is just a given, and I agree, by the time the scan picks up extra moisture, you’ll probably already see green. I’ve heard from folks in drier climates that the scans are more useful for spotting insulation gaps than leaks, so maybe it’s all about what you’re looking for and where you live.
