Title: Clearing roof mess: DIY or hire a pro?
I’m with you on the “broom and common sense” approach, especially if you’re just dealing with leaves or pine needles. I’ve saved a ton doing it myself, and honestly, half the pros I’ve hired left more debris behind than I started with. That said, insurance is a real curveball—mine flagged me for using a different type of vent cover once, which was a headache. If your roof’s steep or you’re not steady on a ladder, it’s probably not worth the risk. But for a basic clean-up, I’d rather pocket the cash and do it myself. Just watch out for those sneaky wet spots... learned that one the hard way.
Just watch out for those sneaky wet spots... learned that one the hard way.
Right? Those slick patches are no joke—almost took a tumble last fall after a rain. I’m with you on the DIY route if it’s just leaves or needles, but I do wonder about long-term wear. My roof’s got a pretty gentle pitch, so it feels manageable, but I’ve always hesitated when it comes to moss or that gritty shingle debris. Do you guys use anything besides a broom, or just stick with elbow grease? Insurance is a pain too—I had them nitpick about “unauthorized modifications” after I swapped out a vent cap. Guess there’s always some catch.
I’ve always hesitated when it comes to moss or that gritty shingle debris.
Same here—moss is a pain. I tried one of those long-handled brushes, but honestly, it just smeared the stuff around. Ended up using a diluted vinegar spray, which helped a bit, but I’m not sure if that’s actually good for the shingles long-term. Anyone ever try those zinc strips? I hear mixed things about them, but curious if they’re worth the effort.
Tried zinc strips on a few properties—mixed bag, honestly. They do slow down moss, but don’t expect miracles, especially if you’ve already got a lot of buildup. I’ve found they work best as a preventative, not a fix. Also, if you’re in a rainy area, you’ll still get streaks and some moss in the shady spots. Personally, I’d rather pay for a pro cleaning every couple years than mess with chemicals or risk damaging the shingles. The vinegar thing always made me nervous about runoff and plants below...
I totally get where you're coming from about the zinc strips. I actually tried them last fall after moving in, hoping they'd be some magic fix, but it’s more like a slow-down than a cure. For anyone else reading, here’s what worked for me: I gently brushed off the worst moss first (being super careful not to wreck the shingles), then put down the strips. Still got some green patches in the shadiest corners, especially after all our rain lately.
Honestly, I’m leaning toward hiring someone next time too. The idea of vinegar runoff messing up my garden beds is kind of a dealbreaker... and ladders freak me out more than I thought they would.