“If you’ve got a steep roof or it’s slick, paying someone really does make sense. Time’s valuable, and I’d rather spend half a weekend doing something fun than fighting moss again...”
I get where you’re coming from about time—scraping moss isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of a good Saturday. Still, I’m not totally convinced about always hiring out, even with a steeper roof. My place is an old craftsman with a pretty gnarly pitch, and yeah, it’s sketchy up there when it’s damp. But after getting quoted almost $900 for a “deep clean” by a local crew (and that was just for the front side), I figured the risk/reward was worth at least trying myself. Picked up some roof anchors and a harness off Marketplace, watched a few videos, and honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I expected. Took longer than I thought—arms were noodles by the end—but now I know what’s up there, and I trust my own work.
Those eco sprays...I’m with you. Tried two brands last year because my neighbor swore by them. Maybe our Pacific Northwest weather is just too relentless? The moss laughed and came back even thicker. But what’s worked better for me lately is mixing up my own solution (mild bleach mix—careful around plants) and applying with a pump sprayer after scraping. Not perfect, but it slows things down between big cleans.
I do see the value in hiring pros if mobility or safety is an issue, or if you just hate heights. But sometimes the peace of mind from knowing exactly how your roof looks—and saving a chunk of cash—tips the scale for me. Plus, there’s something kinda satisfying about seeing all that green gunk gone after putting in the elbow grease.
Curious if anyone else has tried those zinc or copper strips along the ridge? Supposed to help keep moss at bay but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
I’ve actually put zinc strips on my roof, and they do seem to help, at least in our soggy Oregon climate. Not a miracle cure, but I noticed less moss creeping back after a year—especially compared to my neighbor’s place, which still looks like a chia pet. The trick is making sure the strips are exposed enough for rain to wash the zinc down the shingles. I cheaped out and only did the north side, which gets the worst of it, and that’s where I’ve seen the biggest difference.
Totally agree on the “peace of mind” thing. After a couple sketchy moments up there, I started using a climbing harness too. Still not my favorite way to spend a Saturday, but at least I’m not shelling out a grand every spring. And yeah, those eco sprays… I swear moss in the PNW is basically immortal.
If you go for the strips, just be ready for some weird looks from folks walking by. My neighbor asked if I was installing some kind of anti-alien device.
Zinc strips seem to be a popular DIY fix, but I’ve always wondered how much difference it makes if you only do one side of the roof. Does the runoff ever stain the shingles or gutters? I tried a similar thing last year (in western WA), but I went with copper strips instead—mostly because I found some leftovers at work. It helped, but honestly, the moss still creeps back around vents and skylights, which makes me question if it’s worth the hassle for those tricky spots. Did you notice any weird residue or streaking after heavy rain?
- Tried zinc strips on one side once—looked like a weird haircut for my roof. Didn’t notice much staining, but the moss just laughed and moved to the other side.
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Same here. Those spots are like moss magnets. I swear they have their own microclimate.“the moss still creeps back around vents and skylights, which makes me question if it’s worth the hassle for those tricky spots.”
- Copper’s supposed to be stronger, but I’ve seen some greenish streaks after heavy rain. Not super noticeable unless you’re up there squinting.
- Honestly, for stubborn areas, I just budget for a pro cleaning every couple years. Less drama, fewer ladders, more Netflix.
“the moss still creeps back around vents and skylights, which makes me question if it’s worth the hassle for those tricky spots.”
That’s exactly where I get stuck too. I tried the zinc strips a couple years back—looked promising at first, but the moss just found new places to hang out, especially around the chimney and skylight edges. I’m in the Pacific Northwest, so it’s a constant battle with dampness.
Here’s what I ended up doing: first, I gave the roof a gentle scrub with a soft brush (nothing too aggressive, didn’t want to mess up the shingles). Then I sprayed a moss killer, waited for a dry stretch, and rinsed it off. It worked okay for a season, but honestly, those “microclimate” spots just keep coming back.
I get the appeal of hiring someone—less risk, less hassle—but my budget’s tight. Has anyone tried those newer eco-friendly treatments? Wondering if they’re worth the extra cost or if it’s just another short-term fix. Also curious if anyone’s had luck with regular gutter cleaning making a difference. My neighbor swears by it, but I’m not convinced it helps with moss on the actual roof.
