Copper strips are like the secret weapon nobody tells you about until you’ve already spent too much on powders and sprays. I tried the powder route a couple years back—same deal, it just made the moss look depressed, not dead. And then it rained, and suddenly my gutters were full of expensive sludge. Not my proudest DIY moment.
I get the ladder thing, though. I’m not exactly Spiderman myself, and the idea of hauling copper up there is... well, let’s just say I’d rather be watching someone else do it. But honestly, once those strips are up, they do most of the work for you. Every time it rains, a little bit of copper washes down and keeps the moss at bay. My neighbor’s roof is proof—his shingles look like they’re on a magazine cover, while mine’s got that “before” photo vibe.
If you’re not wild about heights, maybe see if you can bribe a handy friend with pizza or something. Or, if you’re feeling flush, hire a pro just for the strip install. It’s a one-and-done kind of thing, unlike the endless cycle of powders and sprays. Plus, you won’t have to keep climbing up there every season.
One thing, though—if your roof’s super steep or you’ve got a weird pitch, copper strips can be a pain to install. I’ve heard some folks use zinc strips instead, but copper seems to last longer in our rainy climate (I’m in the Pacific Northwest, where moss is basically a roof accessory).
Anyway, if you do go for it, just make sure you don’t skimp on the length. Short strips only protect a narrow band, so you want to run them as close to the ridge as possible. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a stripe of clean roof and the rest still looking like a chia pet.
Hope that helps. If nothing else, at least you’ll have a good story for the next neighborhood BBQ...
Copper strips definitely help, but I’ve seen plenty of roofs where they only slow down the moss, not stop it. Especially if you’ve already got a thick layer growing—copper won’t magically clear that out overnight. I’ve had customers swear by pressure washing first (carefully, so you don’t blast off shingles), then putting up the strips. Also, if your roof’s older or has storm damage, sometimes the strips just highlight all the other problems—like leaks or loose shingles. Sometimes hiring a pro for a full inspection before messing with anything is worth it, especially after a rough winter.
Sometimes hiring a pro for a full inspection before messing with anything is worth it, especially after a rough winter.
Couldn’t agree more with this. I tried the DIY route last year—thought I’d save a few bucks and just slap some copper strips up there. Turns out, moss is way more stubborn than I gave it credit for. The strips helped, but the thick patches just laughed at me. Ended up on the roof with a garden sprayer and a stiff brush, which was... let’s just say, not my finest hour.
Pressure washing does work if you’re careful, but I’ve seen neighbors take off half their shingles trying to get things spotless. If your roof’s already seen better days, sometimes you find more problems than you started with. That’s when I wish I’d just called someone in the first place.
DIY is fine if you’re comfortable on a ladder and your roof isn’t ancient, but after a rough winter? Sometimes it’s worth paying for peace of mind—and keeping your dignity intact when the neighbors are watching.
Pressure washing does work if you’re careful, but I’ve seen neighbors take off half their shingles trying to get things spotless.
That’s the part that always makes me cringe. I’ve patched up more than a few roofs where someone got a little too enthusiastic with the pressure washer. Moss and algae are stubborn, but sometimes the cure is worse than the problem. After a rough winter, I’d rather pay for a pro to spot hidden damage than risk making things worse myself. Not saying DIY is never worth it, but sometimes it’s just not worth the gamble.
sometimes the cure is worse than the problem
That’s exactly what happened when I tried to blast moss off my old asphalt roof. Thought I was being gentle, but still managed to rough up a few shingles. Honestly, it made me rethink the whole DIY thing—especially since I’m in the rainy Northwest and moss just comes back anyway. These days, I lean toward using a soft brush or eco-friendly cleaner instead of risking damage. Sometimes less is more, especially with older roofs.
