Tile roofs can definitely be lower maintenance, but honestly, I've found preventative sealants to be more hype than help. Had a couple properties where we tried them out—didn't notice a huge difference long-term, especially with moss. Sure, the tiles looked nice and shiny at first, but in damp climates that moss is persistent stuff. It came back anyway after a season or two.
What really made a difference for us was just scheduling regular cleanings and inspections. Having someone get up there once every year or two to clear debris and keep an eye on things caught small issues before they turned into expensive problems. Sealants might sound appealing as a quick fix, but in my experience, they're not a substitute for good old-fashioned maintenance. Just my two cents...
Yeah, regular cleaning definitely beats sealants in my experience too. Had a neighbor who swore by sealants and spent a fortune applying them every few years. Honestly, his roof didn't look any better than mine after a couple seasons, especially with moss creeping back. I'm curious though—has anyone tried copper strips or zinc flashing to keep moss growth down? Heard mixed reviews and wondering if it's worth the hassle.
I've heard about copper strips too, but honestly, I'm skeptical. My uncle installed zinc flashing on his roof a few years back, and at first it seemed promising—less moss for sure—but after a couple rainy seasons, the moss was creeping back anyway. Maybe it slowed things down a bit, but definitely wasn't a permanent fix. Seems like no matter what you do, tile roofs still need some regular attention... maintenance-free sounds like wishful thinking to me.
Yeah, I hear you on that. Zinc flashing can help to an extent, but it's definitely not a fix-and-forget solution. Ever wonder if the angle and shading of the roof play a bigger role? I've noticed moss tends to thrive more on shaded, north-facing slopes, regardless of metal strips. Copper might last a bit longer, sure, but even then... tile roofs still need occasional checks and cleaning. Maintenance-free roofing sounds great in theory, but reality usually disagrees.
Honestly, I've found the same thing with my own tile roof. When we first moved in, the previous owner had installed zinc strips and swore it would keep moss away for years. But within two seasons, I noticed moss creeping back, especially on the north-facing side that gets almost no sun. I tried copper strips next (after a lot of research and hesitation—copper isn't exactly cheap), and while they did seem to last a bit longer, it still wasn't a permanent fix.
The angle definitely matters too. My neighbor's house has a steeper pitch, and even though it's shaded, he barely gets any moss buildup. Meanwhile, my roof is flatter, and I have to climb up there at least once a year to scrape things off gently. So yeah, tile roofs are durable and look great, but maintenance-free? Not quite... at least not from my experience.
