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.
Honestly, I’ve seen those strips on a few roofs around here (Pacific NW, so moss is basically our state flower), and they seem to help... but only when installed right at the ridge and on roofs that aren’t already covered in green fuzz. Once the moss gets comfy, those strips aren’t magic. It’s more like "moss prevention lite" than a cure-all.
You nailed it about the sprays too—some of them are pretty harsh. Had a tenant try a cheap one last spring, and now there’s a weird bleach mark on their porch that won’t fade. Learned the hard way to always check what the manufacturer says about chemicals, especially with warranties. Some of them are super picky.
Binoculars are a lifesaver, though. Beats climbing up there and accidentally starting a roofing project you didn’t want. If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, sometimes it’s better to just snap a pic from the ground and send it to someone who knows roofs. Saves a lot of headaches (and probably a few broken shingles).
Those zinc and copper strips do get tossed around a lot as a “set it and forget it” fix, but you’re right—they’re not magic. I’ve put in plenty for folks around here (I’m just south of Seattle), and what I tell people is, they’re more like an insurance policy for a clean roof after you’ve already cleaned it. If the moss has already dug in, those strips won’t do much until you get up there and scrub or treat first. Once you’ve got a clean slate, though, the strips can really slow down how fast the green stuff comes back—especially on north-facing slopes that never see sun.
I’ve also seen some folks try to save a buck and install strips halfway down the roof, but unless you’re dealing with a really short run, that doesn’t cut it. The rain has to wash over the metal and carry those ions down the entire slope. Otherwise, you end up with a clean streak and the rest stays fuzzy.
On the chemical side, I’ve had my share of calls from people who used the wrong product and ended up with dead plants or stained patios. Some of those “eco-friendly” sprays are still surprisingly harsh. Always worth double-checking what your shingle manufacturer says, because you’re right—some warranties get voided with the wrong stuff.
I get the temptation to climb up and check things yourself, but I’ve seen too many folks slip on wet moss or mess up their shingles trying to get a closer look. A good pair of binoculars and a zoomed-in phone camera go a long way. Sometimes I’ll even walk folks through what they’re seeing over FaceTime before telling them whether it’s worth a pro coming out or not.
One thing I’d add: if you’re seeing moss every spring, it’s usually a sign there’s not enough sun or airflow up there. Trimming back overhanging branches can make a bigger difference than most people expect. And sometimes, it’s just the price of living in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve got a few customers who treat moss like a recurring subscription—they just budget for a cleaning every couple years and call it good.
Anyway, you’re not alone in the battle against moss. It’s a never-ending game, but a little prevention and keeping an eye out after winter goes a long way.
A good pair of binoculars and a zoomed-in phone camera go a long way.
Couldn’t agree more on that one. I’ve seen too many folks try to get up there after a wet winter, only to end up with a busted shingle or worse, a trip to urgent care. If you’re dealing with older asphalt roofs, even just walking around can crack the granules loose, especially when it’s cold out.
I get the appeal of those zinc strips, but honestly, they’re not a cure-all. I’ve been called out after windstorms where half the strip was flapping in the breeze because someone just nailed it in without sealing the fasteners. That’s just asking for leaks down the line. If you’re gonna use them, make sure they’re tucked under the ridge cap and sealed up right.
One thing I’d add—after a rough winter, don’t just look for moss. Check your gutters for shingle grit and keep an eye out for popped nails or lifted shingles. Sometimes the first sign of trouble is water stains in your attic months later, and by then you’re looking at a bigger repair bill. I always say, prevention’s cheaper than patching up storm damage.
I tried the binoculars-and-phone trick last spring after a gnarly ice storm, and honestly, it saved me from climbing up there. I spotted a couple of lifted shingles near the ridge that I’d have missed otherwise. One thing I learned—don’t just look for obvious damage. I found a weird patch of shingle grit in my gutters, which turned out to be a sign of some granule loss. Didn’t expect that on a roof that’s only 8 years old... Maybe it’s just our wild freeze-thaw cycles here, but now I check every spring and fall.
That binoculars-and-phone move is a classic—I’ve used it more times than I care to admit, especially after those surprise spring hailstorms. Last year, I thought I was in the clear, but then I found a whole pile of shingle bits in the downspout filter. Turns out, the “good as new” roof from 2015 wasn’t so good after all. Freeze-thaw here is brutal too, and honestly, I swear the squirrels don’t help either. I’m with you—twice a year checks are just part of the routine now, even if my neighbors think I’m spying on their garden gnomes.
