That’s a familiar story with insurance—some adjusters just aren’t ready for drone tech, even though it’s so much safer for steep roofs. I’ve had similar pushback, but sometimes if you include a few close-up shots alongside the drone images, it helps them take it more seriously. As for moss, copper strips do slow it down, but in shaded, damp climates, nothing seems to stop it entirely. I’ve seen folks try zinc powder too, but honestly, manual removal every couple years is still the most reliable method I’ve found. Curious if anyone’s had luck with those newer anti-moss coatings?
I’ve run into the same skepticism from adjusters when I submit drone photos, especially on older homes with steep pitches. It’s odd, considering how much safer it is than sending someone up a 12/12 slope. I’ve started pairing the drone shots with a few high-res close-ups from a pole camera, and that seems to get fewer questions—maybe it just feels more “real” to them.
On the moss front, I’ve experimented with a couple of those anti-moss coatings. Tried one of the newer siloxane-based sprays last spring on my north-facing section (asphalt shingles, Pacific Northwest climate). It slowed the regrowth for about a year, but didn’t eliminate it. The copper strips above the ridge help, but like you said, in our damp shade, nothing’s permanent. Manual removal every other year is still part of my routine.
One thing I noticed: after applying the coating, runoff seemed to bead up more, which might help with general moisture issues. But for actual moss prevention? Not a silver bullet. Curious if anyone’s seen longer-term results with those coatings...
But for actual moss prevention? Not a silver bullet.
That’s been my experience too. I tried one of those “miracle” coatings a couple years back—looked great at first, but by the next winter, moss was creeping back in the usual shady spots. The copper strips help a bit, but like you said, nothing’s permanent in our climate. I’ve just accepted that scraping moss off every other year is part of owning a house here. At least the runoff beads up now, so maybe it’s doing something for the shingles.
Yeah, those miracle coatings are never quite the magic fix they promise, huh? I did the “budget version” last year—just scrubbed the moss with a stiff brush, tossed some cheap zinc strips up there, and called it good. Still got green patches in the shadiest corners, but at least I’m not shelling out for fancy treatments every season. Honestly, for what it costs, I’d rather just stay on top of it every spring. Roof’s holding up fine so far... knock on wood.
I get the appeal of just scrubbing and tossing up zinc strips—definitely cheaper than the pro stuff. But I’ve been reading that harsh brushing can actually wear down shingles faster, especially if they’re older or asphalt. Have you tried letting the moss dry out first, then gently brushing? Sometimes that helps it come off without so much abrasion. I’ve also seen folks have luck with vinegar solutions, though I’m not sure how that plays out long-term. Just curious if you’ve noticed any shingle grit in your gutters after scrubbing.
