- Did my own attic insulation last summer. Looked easy on YouTube, but crawling around up there in 90-degree heat was brutal. Missed a few spots and had to go back—total pain.
- Gutter cleaning I’ll do myself, but anything involving roof repairs or heavy debris I leave to the pros. Not worth risking a fall, especially with a steep pitch.
- If your roof’s old or has weird angles, I’d honestly just budget for a contractor. Found out the hard way that “good enough” coverage isn’t actually good enough when winter hits.
- For basic cleanup (sticks, leaves), DIY’s fine if you’re steady on a ladder. But if you’re talking moss removal or patching leaks, that’s where I draw the line.
Clearing sticks and leaves is one thing, but once you get into moss or leak territory, it’s a whole different ballgame. I’ve seen folks try to scrape moss off with a broom or pressure washer, and end up taking half their shingles with it. Not to mention, some of those “quick fix” patches you find at the hardware store just don’t hold up through a wet winter—especially on older roofs or anything with a funky pitch.
Had a customer last spring who figured he’d save a few bucks patching a leak himself. By the time he called me, water had already seeped into the decking and started warping the rafters. Ended up costing him way more than if he’d just had it checked out in the first place. I get the appeal of DIY, but sometimes it’s just not worth the risk—either to your roof or your neck.
That said, if you’re comfortable on a ladder and just clearing debris, go for it. But the minute you’re dealing with anything structural or slippery, I’d think twice. Some jobs just aren’t meant for a Saturday afternoon project, no matter how many YouTube videos you watch.
Had a similar situation last fall—my neighbor tried to blast the moss off his old asphalt roof with a pressure washer. Ended up with bare patches and a bunch of loose granules in his gutters. I get wanting to save money, but sometimes it just turns into a bigger mess. Has anyone actually had luck getting rid of moss without damaging the shingles? I’ve heard about those zinc strips but never tried them myself.
- Pressure washing asphalt shingles is a big nope from what I've seen—just wrecks the granules and shortens roof life.
- For moss, I’ve had clients use a 50/50 water and bleach mix (carefully applied) with decent results. Rinse well, though, or you risk killing plants below.
- Zinc strips do help prevent new moss but won’t clear heavy growth already there.
- If the roof’s steep or you’re not comfortable up there, sometimes it’s just safer (and cheaper in the long run) to call a pro. Seen too many DIY jobs go sideways...
Pressure washing shingles is just asking for trouble—seen it firsthand. Granules end up in the gutters, and suddenly you’re looking at a roof that’s aged ten years overnight. For moss, I’ve done the bleach mix thing too, but man, you gotta be careful. I once fried a whole row of my mom’s hydrangeas because I didn’t rinse enough. She still brings it up every spring...
Zinc strips are decent for keeping new moss away, but if you’ve already got a green carpet up there, they’re not magic. You’ll still need to get the bulk off first. I usually go with a soft brush and take my time—slow but way less risky than blasting it.
If your roof’s steep or you’re not sure-footed, I’d say don’t risk it. I tried to “save money” once and nearly slid off. Ended up paying a pro anyway, plus a bruised ego. Sometimes it’s just not worth the hospital bill.