Not the cheapest route, but honestly, I slept better knowing it was done safely. Sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra bucks.
I can relate to this—safety concerns seem to multiply the older my house gets. I’ve always been wary of mossy shingles, especially since a neighbor slipped and cracked a rib last year. My hesitation with hiring out is not just cost, but also whether pros are using eco-friendly cleaning methods or just blasting everything with harsh chemicals. Has anyone had luck finding roof cleaners who use biodegradable products? I’d like to minimize runoff into my garden, but I’m skeptical about how effective the “green” options really are.
I’ve wondered the same thing about those “green” cleaners. My buddy tried a biodegradable moss remover last spring—looked promising at first, but the moss started creeping back after a few months. Maybe it’s just our rainy climate making things tougher? I get wanting to avoid harsh stuff near your garden though. Has anyone seen a difference with those zinc strips or copper wire along the ridge? Curious if that’s actually worth the hassle or just another gimmick...
Has anyone seen a difference with those zinc strips or copper wire along the ridge? Curious if that’s actually worth the hassle or just another gimmick...
- Tried zinc strips on my 1950s bungalow (asphalt shingles, Pacific Northwest). Installed them myself about three years ago.
- Moss didn’t vanish overnight, but I noticed less regrowth after the first full winter. Not a miracle cure, but definitely slowed things down compared to my neighbor’s roof (same age, no strips).
- Rainy climate here too—moss is relentless. The strips seem to help most right below where they’re installed. Lower parts of the roof still get some green patches.
- Copper wire: friend of mine gave that a shot. He said it worked, but only for a season or two. After that, it looked like the wire corroded and stopped making much difference.
- Green cleaners: I’ve tried a couple brands. They’re fine for a quick fix, but like you mentioned, moss comes back unless you keep at it every year. I’d rather avoid spraying chemicals near my veggie beds anyway.
If you’re looking for less maintenance long-term, zinc strips are worth the initial hassle—just don’t expect a spotless roof forever. Still need to brush off debris now and then. For me, it was better than climbing up there every spring with a sprayer.
Not sure I’d call it a gimmick, but it’s not magic either. Just slows down the moss war.
Not sure I’d call it a gimmick, but it’s not magic either. Just slows down the moss war.
I get what you’re saying, but honestly, I’ve seen some roofs where zinc strips barely made a dent. Maybe it’s just our crazy wet winters, but after a year or two, the moss was back in full force. I kinda feel like if you’re already up there, a good manual scrub and maybe switching to algae-resistant shingles next time might be less hassle long run. The strips are better than nothing, but they’re not a set-it-and-forget-it thing for everyone.
I hear you on the moss coming back—Pacific Northwest roofs are basically moss farms half the year. But I’ve actually had better luck with copper strips than zinc, weirdly enough. Still, nothing beats a good old-fashioned brush and some elbow grease... just wish my knees agreed. Those algae-resistant shingles are tempting, but man, the price tag made me wince last time I checked.