I’ve seen those moss-killing sprays work for a season, maybe two, but I wouldn’t call it a long-term fix. Last year, I tried one on my own north-facing slope—figured it was worth a shot since the moss was starting to look like a shag carpet. It did brown up after a couple weeks, but then I had these weird streaks running down the shingles for months. Not exactly the curb appeal I was hoping for.
Funny thing is, the folks who get the best results seem to be the ones who actually get up there and brush the stuff off after spraying. If you just let it sit, it sort of dries out and clings on for dear life. And yeah, some of those sprays can definitely stain gutters or siding if you’re not careful. I guess nothing really beats a little elbow grease and keeping debris off in the first place... easier said than done when the trees are taller than your house, though.
I guess nothing really beats a little elbow grease and keeping debris off in the first place... easier said than done when the trees are taller than your house, though.
Ain’t that the truth. I tried to cheap out with one of those “no scrub” moss sprays last spring—figured I’d save myself a Saturday. Ended up with patchy brown spots and a bill for gutter cleaning after it stained everything. Next time, I’m just grabbing a broom and hoping my balance holds up.
I tried to cheap out with one of those “no scrub” moss sprays last spring—figured I’d save myself a Saturday. Ended up with patchy brown spots and a bill for gutter cleaning after it stained everything.
Honestly, I get the appeal of shortcuts, but sometimes those sprays do more harm than good, especially on older shingles. For folks with tall trees, I'd actually recommend a telescoping roof rake or even hiring someone for a seasonal clean if heights aren’t your thing. It’s not always about elbow grease—sometimes it’s about using the right tool for your setup. I’ve seen too many folks slip trying to sweep off a steep roof... not worth the risk.
It’s not always about elbow grease—sometimes it’s about using the right tool for your setup.
Couldn’t agree more, but I’ll add—sometimes the “right tool” is just a good pair of binoculars from the ground. I’ve seen folks do more damage walking around up there than the moss ever did. If you spot curling shingles or granule loss, that’s when it’s worth getting a pro up. Those sprays can be rough on older roofs, especially if you don’t rinse them off properly... seen a few stained driveways from runoff too.
Binoculars are underrated, honestly. I’ve watched my neighbor try to “fix” his own roof after spotting a couple patches of moss—ended up cracking more shingles than he cleaned off. Sometimes less is more, especially if you’re not sure what you’re looking at up there.
Those moss sprays are a bit hit or miss too, like you said. I’ve heard some can actually void warranties if you’re not careful, depending on the shingle brand. The runoff is no joke either—my uncle’s concrete steps still have weird streaks from last year’s experiment.
Curious if anyone here has tried those zinc or copper strips for moss prevention? I keep hearing mixed things, but haven’t seen them in action myself. Wondering if they’re worth the hassle, or just another gimmick that doesn’t do much unless your roof is basically new.
