Sometimes I wonder if roofs are just waiting for us to let our guard down.
That's honestly the best way to describe it. I’ve seen more “hidden” damage under moss and around flashing than anywhere else. Last fall, after a nasty windstorm, I figured my roof looked fine from the ground—no missing shingles, nothing obvious. But when I actually got up there (had to check for insurance anyway), there was a big patch where water had just started creeping in under some loose flashing. No visible leak inside yet, but the sheathing was already starting to turn soft.
Gutters too—totally agree. If you skip even one season, the debris piles up and suddenly you’re dealing with overflow right where you don’t want it. In my experience, even metal roofs aren’t immune; moss and pine needles love to find any spot they can settle.
Routine checks might feel like overkill, but they’ve saved me from way bigger headaches. It’s never fun climbing up there, but it beats dealing with rot or mold that sneaks in over time.
You nailed it with the “hidden” damage. I can’t count how many times I’ve had tenants call about a ceiling stain, only to find out the problem started months earlier—usually right around some flashing or under a pile of moss that looked harmless from the ground. It’s wild how fast things can go sideways up there.
I used to think metal roofs were basically set-and-forget, but nope. Pine needles and moss are relentless, especially in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve seen them clog up valleys and even start rust spots if you let it go too long. And gutters... yeah, skipping a season is just asking for trouble. I had one property where the downspout backed up, water overflowed, and next thing you know, there’s a puddle in the basement. All because of a few handfuls of leaves.
Routine checks might feel like a chore, but honestly, I’d rather spend an hour up there than deal with insurance adjusters or mold remediation. The worst is when you think you’re in the clear because there’s no leak inside—meanwhile, the sheathing is turning to mush right under your nose. I’ve learned to trust my gut and get up there after any big storm, even if everything “looks fine” from below.
Not everyone loves ladders, and I get that, but sometimes just walking the perimeter and looking for shingle grit in the gutters or checking for sagging spots can give you a heads-up before things get expensive. I’ve had a few close calls, but catching stuff early has saved me thousands over the years. It’s not glamorous, but it’s way better than the alternative.
That’s the thing—most folks don’t realize how much can be going on up there until it’s too late. I’ve seen plenty of “good from the ground” roofs where the sheathing was already soft or the flashing had pulled away just enough to let water creep in. Moss is a big one, especially around here. It looks harmless, but it’ll lift shingles and trap moisture before you know it.
I’m curious—has anyone actually tried those zinc or copper strips for moss prevention? I’ve seen mixed results. Some swear by them, others say they’re a waste unless you keep up with cleaning anyway. Personally, I think nothing beats just getting eyes on the roof every few months, but maybe I’m old school.
Also, anyone ever deal with insurance denying a claim because of “lack of maintenance”? That’s come up more than once in my line of work, and it’s a headache for owners who thought they were covered.
I hear you on the moss—around here, it’s like the stuff has a personal vendetta against my roof. I did try those zinc strips a few years back. They helped, but only on the sections right below the strip. The rest? Still green and fuzzy. Ended up just making it part of my spring ritual to get up there and brush it off. As for insurance, yeah, got burned once when they said “neglect.” Apparently, missing a couple of gutter cleanings counts as neglect now... Learned my lesson the hard way.
- Zinc strips only work where rainwater actually washes over them—rest of the roof stays fair game for moss.
- Insurance companies are quick to call anything “neglect.” Missed a few gutter cleanings? That’s all it takes sometimes.
- I see a lot of folks forget about flashing and vent boots during checkups. Ever had issues with those, or is it mostly moss and gutters for you?
