Had a client last year who thought he’d save a few bucks and “just sweep off the moss” on his 30-year-old asphalt roof. Ended up with more shingle in his yard than moss. I get the temptation—sometimes it looks like you could just hop up there and tidy things up, but those old shingles are basically potato chips at that age. I’ve seen folks use everything from brooms to snow shovels... never ends well.
I’m with you on pressure washers being a no-go. I’ve flagged more than one roof for granule loss after someone got a little too enthusiastic with one of those. The vinegar trick works, but patience is key—don’t expect it to look perfect overnight.
Honestly, if your roof’s steep or you’re not used to heights, it’s not worth risking a trip to the ER. I’ve seen more than one homeowner try to DIY and end up calling me for an inspection after they slipped or bent some flashing. Sometimes paying someone who knows what they’re doing is just cheaper in the long run... and less embarrassing when your neighbors are watching.
those old shingles are basically potato chips at that age
Can confirm—tried to gently brush moss off my uncle’s roof last summer and the shingles just started crumbling. It’s wild how brittle they get after a few decades. I know it feels like you can just “clean it up” but sometimes you’re just making more work (and mess) for yourself. I’m not a fan of pressure washers either... saw one take off half the granules in seconds. If you’re not comfy on a ladder, probably best to leave it to someone who is.
I’m not a fan of pressure washers either... saw one take off half the granules in seconds.
Yeah, I learned that lesson the hard way. Tried to “freshen up” my own roof with a pressure washer a few years back—looked great for about a week, then I noticed all these bare spots where the granules used to be. Those old shingles just can’t take it. I get wanting to save money, but sometimes DIY just speeds up the need for a full replacement. If your roof’s pushing 20+ years, even walking on it can do more harm than good.
Pressure washers and old shingles are a brutal combo, for sure. I tried to clean moss off my parents’ roof once—thought I was being helpful, but ended up with a patchy mess and a lecture from my dad about “shingle integrity.” Honestly, if your roof’s already seen two decades, even a broom can do damage if you’re not careful. Anyone else just use a leaf blower? Seems safer, but maybe I’m missing something...
- Leaf blowers are way gentler than pressure washers, but there’s still a risk if shingles are brittle or curling up.
- I’ve seen a few cases where even the air from a blower lifted loose tabs, especially on older roofs after a storm.
- Honestly, sometimes the safest call is to leave moss and debris until you can get a pro to check things out—especially if you’re seeing granule loss or soft spots.
- For light stuff like dry leaves, a blower’s fine. Anything stuck or heavy, I’d think twice.
- My neighbor tried scraping moss with a putty knife—ended up with leaks after the next rain... not worth it.