That “sponge cake” feeling is way too familiar—last year I nearly lost a boot to the moss on my shed roof. I get the urge to just grab a brush and go for it, but after I found a soft spot that turned into a leak, I started to wonder if saving a few bucks up front is worth the stress. Anyone ever tried those moss-killing sprays? Do they actually work or just make your shingles slippery for a week?
That “sponge cake” feeling is a red flag, honestly. Moss can look harmless, but it’s sneaky—holds moisture right against the shingles and speeds up wear. I’ve seen more than a few roofs where someone went at it with a stiff brush and ended up doing more harm than good, especially on older or already-soft spots. That’s usually when leaks start showing up.
About those moss-killing sprays: they’re a mixed bag. Some of them do kill the moss, but you’re right—they can make the roof slicker than ice for a bit, and if you’re not careful rinsing, the runoff can mess with your plants or gutters. Plus, dead moss doesn’t just vanish; it turns brown and crusty and still needs to be removed (which is when folks sometimes damage the shingles even more).
Honestly, if you’ve already found a soft spot, I’d lean toward getting a pro to check things out. It’s not just about saving money upfront—it’s about not ending up with a bigger repair bill down the line. Sometimes spending a little now saves a lot of headaches later.
I hear you on the risks, but I’d argue it’s not always black and white. If the “sponge cake” feeling is just in a small patch and the rest of the roof is solid, a careful DIY approach can still make sense—especially with newer shingles. I’ve seen folks use soft brushes and gentle rinses with good results, as long as they’re patient and don’t rush it. Sometimes, calling in a pro right away means you end up paying for a full replacement when a targeted repair would’ve done the job. Just depends on how bad that soft spot really is...
That “sponge cake” spot is what worries me, honestly. Even if it’s just a small patch, there’s a chance the decking underneath is starting to rot. I get wanting to save money, but sometimes poking around up there can make things worse if you’re not sure what you’re stepping on. I’ve seen people go up thinking it’s just a cleaning job and end up with a foot through the roof... Not saying pros are always necessary, but I’d at least want to know exactly what’s going on under those shingles before risking it.
That “sponge cake” feeling underfoot is always a red flag for me. I’ve seen folks try to just sweep off moss or debris, only to find out the decking’s basically compost. If you’re set on checking it yourself, I’d start by poking around from the attic first—look for stains, sagging, or daylight peeking through. Sometimes you can spot rot before you even climb a ladder. And yeah, walking on questionable spots... not my idea of a good time unless you like surprise renovations.
