Clearing roof mess: DIY or hire a pro?

For me, the risk of slipping seemed worse than maybe having to scrub off some moss later.

That’s a fair point - safety’s got to come first. I’ve seen a few folks try to clear their roofs in winter and end up with more than just a bruised ego. Out of curiosity, did you notice any shingle damage or granule loss after waiting through the winter? Sometimes debris sitting too long can trap moisture, but maybe that’s more of an issue with older roofs or heavy shade. Just wondering if you saw any signs of wear after your first spring cleanup.

Waiting until spring to clear off moss and debris is honestly what I’ve done a few times, especially after some icy winters. I totally get the worry about moisture and shingle wear, but in my experience (asphalt shingles, Pacific Northwest), one winter of leaves or moss didn’t seem to do much harm. The first year I moved in, I was nervous about it, but when I finally got up there in March, most of the debris brushed off pretty easily. Didn’t notice any extra granule loss compared to other years.

I do think age and shade play a big role, though. My neighbor’s place is surrounded by fir trees and their roof is older - moss seems to dig in deeper for them, and they’ve had to replace a few shingles after a rough winter. For newer roofs or if you only get light debris, waiting it out seems reasonable. Just gotta be ready for a bit more elbow grease come spring.

Honestly, slipping isn’t worth it - moss can be dealt with, broken bones are a whole different story.

I hear you on the “wait until spring” approach - done that myself more than once, especially after a couple of those icy PNW winters where just walking to the mailbox feels risky. I’ll admit, I used to be all gung-ho about getting up there right after every storm, but after nearly sliding off my own roof (twice), I started rethinking my priorities. Moss and leaves are annoying, but a trip to urgent care is worse.

That said, I’m a little more cautious now because my place is pushing 30 years old and the shingles are definitely showing their age. Last year, I let things go until March and ended up with a patch of moss that was basically its own ecosystem - took me half a Saturday to scrape it off. Didn’t see any leaks or major damage, but I did notice some extra granules in the gutters.

If your roof’s newer and you’re not under a forest canopy, waiting seems fine. But for older roofs or spots that stay damp all winter... I’d at least keep an eye out for trouble spots. And yeah, no shame in hiring someone if you’re not feeling steady on a ladder anymore - gravity’s undefeated.

- Just bought my first place last fall, so this is all new for me.
- My roof’s only about 8 years old (asphalt shingles), but I’m already seeing some moss on the north side.
- Kinda nervous about climbing up there, especially after hearing stories like yours... ladders freak me out.
- Is it overkill to hire someone for a small patch? Or do people just use those long-handled brushes from the ground?
- Wondering if I should be worried about the granules in the gutters too, or if that’s just normal wear.

Kinda nervous about climbing up there, especially after hearing stories like yours... ladders freak me out.

Honestly, if you’re not comfortable with heights, hiring someone isn’t overkill at all. Safety first. Moss on the north side is super common - shade and moisture just do that. As for the granules in the gutters, a little bit is normal as shingles age, but if you’re seeing piles, it’s worth keeping an eye on.