They do help slow down moss growth, but only where rainwater actually washes over them.
That’s been my experience too. I put copper strips on my north-facing roof section, and they definitely helped in the runoff path, but the shaded corners still got mossy. I had to get up there and scrub the worst spots first—kind of a pain, honestly. If you’re thinking about DIY, just be careful with the cleaning part. Slippery shingles and ladders can get sketchy fast. For bigger jobs or steep roofs, I’d probably call in a pro next time.
Copper strips are a solid move, but yeah, they’re not magic for every spot. I’ve noticed the same thing—where the water doesn’t flow, moss just hangs on. Scrubbing those corners is a pain, and honestly, it’s easy to underestimate how slick things get up there. If you’re set on DIY, maybe try a harness or at least some grippy shoes. For anything steeper than a walkable pitch, I’d probably tap out and call someone in too. No shame in playing it safe.
Is it just me or do those “grippy” shoes never feel grippy enough when you’re up there staring at a patch of moss in the corner? I tried the copper strip thing too, and yeah, it helped along the main run but did nothing for the shaded side. Has anyone actually found a way to scrub those awkward spots without feeling like you’re about to star in a slapstick fall video? I keep wondering if there’s some trick with a long brush or maybe a pressure washer from the ladder... but then I start picturing water flying everywhere and me soaked to the bone.
I hear you on the “grippy” shoes—mine felt fine until I hit that north-facing patch behind the chimney. Next thing I know, I’m clinging to the vent pipe like it’s a lifeline. I tried one of those telescoping brushes from the ladder, but honestly, it just made me more nervous. Pressure washer sounded good in theory, but I chickened out after picturing myself sliding off like a cartoon character. In the end, I just did what I could reach and left the rest. Not perfect, but at least I stayed dry and in one piece.
That’s pretty much the story of my first attempt, too. I figured, hey, how hard can it be to sweep off some moss and leaves? Turns out, way harder than expected when you’re up there and realize your “surefooted” shoes are actually just sneakers pretending to be helpful. The north side of my place is always damp, so it’s basically an ice rink half the year. I tried one of those cheap extendable brushes too—felt like I was jousting with my own gutters.
Pressure washer made me nervous. Not even because of slipping (though that’s a real fear), but more about blasting water under the shingles and causing leaks I’d never find until next spring. In the end, I only got about halfway before I called it quits and decided paying someone wasn’t as expensive as a hospital bill.
I get the appeal of DIY, but honestly, roofs are one spot where I’m leaning toward hiring out unless it’s something super minor. Maybe if I had a ranch instead of this steep-pitched roof…