"Manual removal's a good start, but honestly, adding a mild herbicide afterward can save you a lot of headaches."
Totally agree with this. Manual removal alone feels satisfying at first, but it's usually just a temporary fix. Learned that the hard way when I moved into my current place. Previous owner hadn't touched the roof in years, and it was like a jungle up there—moss, lichens, you name it. Spent an entire weekend scraping and brushing, thinking I'd solved the problem. Nope. Within a month or two, it started creeping back in.
Finally gave in and tried a mild herbicide treatment, and honestly, it was night and day. Just a quick, even spray—nothing heavy-handed—and waited about ten days. After that, the moss practically fell off on its own. Now I just check it every few months, spot-spray if needed, and it's been smooth sailing ever since.
One thing I'd add: make sure you pick something specifically labeled as roof-safe. Some general-purpose herbicides can damage shingles or discolor them over time, especially if you've got asphalt shingles. Learned that from a neighbor who ended up with patchy discoloration after using some random weed killer he had lying around. Not pretty.
Also, timing matters. Try to pick a dry forecast stretch for at least a couple of days after spraying, so the stuff doesn't just wash off in the rain. I usually aim for late spring or early fall when it's neither too hot nor too rainy.
Anyway, good luck with your sci-fi inspection report... sounds like you've got your work cut out for you.
Good points about the herbicide—just make sure you're not going overboard. I've seen folks get a little trigger-happy with sprays, and next thing you know, they're dealing with runoff issues or dead patches in their landscaping below. Moderation is key... ask me how I know, lol.
Good reminder on the herbicide front—been there myself, lol. A few quick tips from my own trial-and-error adventures:
- Spot-treating is your friend. Blanket spraying might seem quicker, but precision saves headaches later.
- Check weather forecasts. Spraying before heavy rain is a recipe for runoff disasters (ask my poor hydrangeas...).
- Consider drift, too. Even a gentle breeze can carry herbicide further than you'd think, especially if you're spraying up high on a roofline.
That sci-fi inspection PDF sounds awesome, btw. Technology these days makes my old handwritten inspection reports look prehistoric...
"Check weather forecasts. Spraying before heavy rain is a recipe for runoff disasters (ask my poor hydrangeas...)."
Haha, RIP hydrangeas—I learned that lesson the hard way too. Curious though, does that sci-fi PDF include drone shots or thermal imaging? Been thinking about upgrading our inspections...
Drone shots are definitely useful, but thermal imaging might be overkill for typical residential inspections. Had a company use thermal on my roof last year—honestly, the results were interesting but didn't justify the extra cost. Most issues were already visible through standard drone footage or a careful visual inspection. Unless you're suspecting hidden moisture or insulation problems, regular drone imagery should suffice and save you some cash...
