"regular cleaning and checking for cracks seems to make a bigger difference overall."
Totally agree with this. I recently bought my first home (yay...and yikes), and it has a tile roof. Initially, I was kinda sold on the idea that tile roofs were basically "set it and forget it," but turns out that's not exactly true.
After doing a bunch of research—and climbing up there myself—I found that while sealants can help slow moss growth, they aren't miracle workers. Moss still finds a way, especially in shaded or damp areas. The real game changer for me has been setting up a simple maintenance schedule:
1. Quick visual inspection every few months (binoculars are your friend here).
2. Clearing off debris like leaves or branches whenever they pile up.
3. Annual or bi-annual gentle cleaning to remove moss buildup before it gets stubborn.
4. Spot-checking tiles for cracks or shifting after heavy storms.
Honestly, it's not too much hassle once you get into a routine, and definitely beats dealing with leaks later on. Tile roofs might be low-maintenance compared to some other types, but they're definitely not maintenance-free... unfortunately!
Yeah, regular checks definitely help, but honestly, tile roofs aren't as bulletproof as people think. I've seen moss get pretty aggressive even with routine cleaning. Wonder if anyone's tried copper strips or something similar to keep moss at bay long-term?
Copper strips can definitely help—I've seen them work quite effectively on tile roofs, actually. The science behind it is pretty straightforward: rainwater reacts with the copper, creating a mild copper sulfate solution that inhibits moss growth downstream. Just keep in mind placement matters; you want to install them near the roof ridge so water carries the copper ions evenly. It's not a cure-all, but combined with periodic maintenance, it's a solid long-term strategy for moss control. Worth trying if moss has been an ongoing headache...
Interesting, hadn't heard about copper strips before. I've got a tile roof myself and figured it'd be pretty hands-off, but moss has been creeping in lately. Wondering if power washing occasionally would do the trick or if that's too harsh...?
Tile roofs are pretty durable, but "maintenance-free" is kind of a stretch. Moss creeping in isn't unusual, especially if you're in a damp or shady area. I'd be cautious with power washing, though—tile can handle it occasionally, but high-pressure water can sometimes damage the surface or even loosen tiles if you're not careful.
If you're set on power washing, dial down the pressure and angle it downward to avoid pushing water underneath the tiles. Personally, I've seen plenty of roofs that got damaged by folks going overboard with pressure washers. A gentler alternative would be using a moss treatment solution every year or two. Copper strips are definitely worth looking into as a preventative measure—they're surprisingly effective, and once installed, they do most of the work for you.
Bottom line: tile roofs aren't totally hands-off, but with a little care and the right approach, maintenance doesn't have to be a big hassle.
