Yeah, those warranty exclusions are wild sometimes—like, who’s really out here using flamethrowers on their shingles? I get why they’re picky, but it does feel like they’re just looking for reasons not to pay out. I’ve always wondered, though: how much moss is too much before it actually starts causing damage? I’ve seen some roofs with a green carpet and the owners swear it’s “just cosmetic.” Maybe depends on the shingle type or how old the roof is... My uncle tried pressure washing his and ended up with half his granules in the gutter. Not worth it.
Title: Clearing roof mess: DIY or hire a pro?
I’ve gone back and forth on this myself. My place is about 15 years old, asphalt shingles, and I live in the PNW where moss basically grows on everything if you blink twice. I used to think the moss was just ugly, but after a couple of rainy seasons, I started noticing some curling shingles where the moss was thickest. Turns out, it can keep moisture trapped up there and slowly eat away at the shingles. If you can see a full-on green carpet, that’s probably more than “just cosmetic” at that point.
About pressure washing—totally agree with you there. My neighbor did his last summer and ended up with all these bald patches where the granules came off. Looked worse than before he started. I tried one of those long-handled brushes with a moss-killer spray (the kind safe for roofs), and it worked okay, but it’s slow going and kinda sketchy if your roof’s steep or slippery.
Honestly, unless you’re super comfortable up there and know what you’re doing, hiring someone isn’t a bad idea. Yeah, it costs more upfront (I paid around $400 for a smallish roof), but at least they use the right stuff and don’t void your warranty by accident. Some companies even do gentle “soft wash” treatments instead of blasting things off.
I’ve heard some folks say metal roofs are immune to this, but my cousin has one and still gets moss along the seams—just not as much as shingle roofs. Seems like regular maintenance is key no matter what type you have.
If you do DIY it, just be careful with what chemicals you use (some can stain or damage plants below), and don’t go nuts with scrubbing or spraying. Sometimes less is more when it comes to not wrecking your roof before its time…
Totally relate to the “blink and there’s moss” thing—PNW roofs are basically spa retreats for green stuff. I’m with you on pressure washing being a no-go, unless you’re aiming for that patchy, post-apocalyptic look. My neighbor tried it and now his shingles look like they’ve been through a cheese grater. Not ideal.
The soft wash route seems way less risky, but I always wonder what’s actually in those treatments. Some of the “eco-friendly” ones still smell like a science experiment gone wrong. Anyone else get nervous about what drips down into the garden beds? I’ve started laying out tarps just in case, but then half the time the wind turns it into a sail and I’m chasing it across the yard...
DIY is tempting until you’re halfway up a slippery roof with a bucket in one hand and your dignity in the other. I tried scrubbing once—lasted about 15 minutes before deciding my life insurance probably didn’t cover “overzealous moss removal.” At this point, paying someone feels like buying peace of mind (and keeping my limbs intact).
I do wish more folks would look into preventative stuff though. Zinc or copper strips along the ridge can slow down moss growth, but it’s not exactly magic. Still, anything that means less time up there is worth a shot, right? And yeah, metal roofs aren’t totally immune—my uncle’s barn gets these weird little moss mohawks along every seam. Maybe moss just likes to keep us humble.
Curious if anyone’s tried those enzyme-based cleaners? Supposedly safer for plants and pets, but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Always feels like there’s some new “miracle” product every season...
Curious if anyone’s tried those enzyme-based cleaners? Supposedly safer for plants and pets, but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Always feels like there’s some new “miracle” product every season...
I’ve looked into enzyme-based options too, mostly because I’m not thrilled about traditional chemicals running off into my veggie beds. The marketing always promises “pet safe, plant safe, planet safe,” but it’s tough to find out what’s actually in them. A few of the SDS sheets I’ve tracked down seem vague—lots of “proprietary blend” language. Makes me wonder if the benefits are more about branding than substance.
For what it’s worth, I did a small test patch last spring with one of the enzyme sprays (on an old shed roof). It took a while for the moss to brown out—definitely not instant results—but it didn’t seem to scorch nearby ferns or anything. Still, I’m not convinced it has any residual effect like zinc or copper strips.
Has anyone noticed if these enzyme products actually keep moss from coming back, or do they just clean what’s already there? I’d rather not be up there twice a year if I can help it...
Has anyone noticed if these enzyme products actually keep moss from coming back, or do they just clean what’s already there? I’d rather not be up there twice a year if I can help it...
I get where you’re coming from—nobody wants to be up on a ladder every spring and fall. I’ve tried a couple of those enzyme sprays on some of my rental properties, mostly because tenants have pets and I don’t want to risk anything harsh running off into their gardens. Honestly, I haven’t seen much difference in how long the roof stays clean compared to when I used the old-school zinc strips. The enzymes seem to clear off the existing moss, but by the next rainy season, it’s creeping back.
One thing I will say: the enzyme stuff is way less smelly and doesn’t leave weird streaks on siding or patios. But if you’re hoping for a “set it and forget it” solution, I haven’t found one yet. Zinc or copper strips still seem to give the longest break between cleanings, even if they’re not perfect either. Maybe it’s just our damp climate—moss always finds a way.
