I put zinc strips on my own roof about six years ago, mostly because I didn’t want to shell out for pro cleaning every couple of years. Here’s what I’ve learned, step by step:
First off, the strips definitely slow down moss, but they’re not a cure-all. If you already have a thick mat of moss, those ions just can’t reach through it. I had to scrape and brush everything off first (used a soft brush and a harness—wouldn’t mess around on cedar without one). Once the roof was clean, I installed the strips right under the ridge cap. They need at least 2-3 inches exposed to rain, or they don’t do much.
After that, it’s more like “maintenance mode.” The areas right below the strips stay pretty clear, but anything further down the slope—especially if there are overhanging branches or constant shade—still gets some green fuzz after a wet winter. I end up spot-treating those spots with a moss killer once a year. It’s not perfect, but it does cut down on how often I need to get up there.
Cost-wise, the strips were cheap compared to hiring someone for a full cleaning. But if you’re not comfortable working on your roof (and honestly, who is on cedar shakes?), it’s probably safer to pay for a pro install. One neighbor tried DIY and ended up cracking a bunch of shakes... not worth it.
If you’re looking for a “set it and forget it” solution, these strips aren’t it. They’re more like one tool in the toolbox. For me, they made sense because I wanted to stretch out the time between big cleanings and keep costs down long-term. Just don’t skip regular checks—if you let moss get ahead of you, no strip will save you from having to do real work later.
And yeah, if your roof is steep or high up, or you’re even slightly unsure about footing, save yourself the ER bill and call someone who does this for a living.
You nailed it with the “one tool in the toolbox” bit. I’ve seen folks get frustrated thinking zinc strips are magic, but it’s really about keeping ahead of the moss, not erasing it for good. Props for using a harness—way too many people skip that step and regret it later. Honestly, your approach sounds pretty smart and realistic. Not everyone wants to pay for a pro every time, but you’re right, safety’s gotta come first.
- Totally agree, zinc strips are just part of the battle.
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Couldn’t have said it better. I’ve had to reapply moss killer every spring—never a one-and-done.“it’s really about keeping ahead of the moss, not erasing it for good.”
- Harness is a must. I skipped it once and nearly slipped... lesson learned.
- DIY saves money, but if your roof’s steep or you’re not steady on a ladder, hiring out makes sense.
- For me, regular sweeping and gutter cleaning helps more than any single product.
I get the point about regular sweeping and gutter cleaning, but honestly, I haven’t found it makes much of a dent with moss on my place. Maybe it’s the shade from all the trees or just our damp Pacific Northwest weather, but even when I’m on top of the leaves and needles, that green fuzz creeps back every year. I tried skipping the moss killer one spring to see if cleaning alone would do it—no luck. Ended up with twice as much moss by fall.
I do agree that safety gear is non-negotiable. My roof isn’t super steep, but even then, I felt sketchy up there the first time. Bought a harness after reading too many horror stories online. Not cheap, but worth it for peace of mind.
On the DIY vs pro debate, I’m still on the fence. I like saving money and learning new stuff, but after spending a whole Saturday scrubbing shingles and hauling buckets down a ladder, I started to see why people just hire someone. The quote I got was more than I expected though—almost $600 for a small roof. That’s a lot for something that needs doing every year or two.
I guess what I’m saying is, cleaning helps but hasn’t replaced chemicals for me. If you’ve got an easy roof and not much moss, maybe you can get away with just sweeping and gutters. For my situation, it’s more like a combo job—cleaning plus zinc strips plus moss killer... and probably still some cursing when it rains for three weeks straight.
Yeah, moss is relentless out here. I’ve got a low-pitch roof under big firs and even with regular sweeping, it’s just a losing battle without some kind of treatment. I’m not wild about chemicals either, but skipping them just made things worse for me too. Zinc strips helped a bit, but only where the runoff hits—rest of the roof still gets patchy. I hear you on the pro prices; $600 feels steep for something that’s basically an annual chore. At this point, I just budget for a combo approach and try not to stress when the green fuzz comes back... because it always does.