I get where you’re coming from about the scrubbing, but I’m honestly not sold on the vinegar trick either—seems like it could mess with the shingle adhesive over time, especially if you’ve got older asphalt. I’ve seen a lot of granule loss after folks get too aggressive with cleaning, and that stuff ends up clogging gutters fast. Anyone else notice that moss sometimes comes back even after zinc strips? Makes me wonder if it’s just a temporary fix.
Anyone else notice that moss sometimes comes back even after zinc strips? Makes me wonder if it’s just a temporary fix.
I’ve noticed the same thing on my place. The zinc strips slowed the moss, but didn’t eliminate it. I’m starting to think shade and moisture are bigger factors than I realized. Maybe there’s no real “permanent” solution for older roofs—just ongoing maintenance. I’m also wary of anything acidic like vinegar near asphalt, since I read it can degrade the binder over time. For now, I’m just gently brushing off debris and keeping gutters clear, but it feels like a never-ending cycle.
Zinc strips were supposed to be the “set it and forget it” answer, but honestly, I’m not convinced they’re worth the cost if you’ve got a lot of shade. I put them up a few years back—spent more than I wanted to—and yeah, the moss slowed down, but never really disappeared. My neighbor swears by power washing every spring, but that just seems like a fast track to shingle damage (and more money down the drain).
I’m with you on being cautious about vinegar or any harsh stuff. Tried a diluted solution once and noticed some granule loss after, so lesson learned. At this point, I’m leaning toward just keeping up with regular sweeping and making sure nothing’s clogging the gutters. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps things manageable without breaking the bank.
Has anyone tried those copper strips instead? I’ve heard mixed things—some folks say they last longer than zinc, others say it’s just another temporary fix. Curious if it’s worth switching over or if it’s all just marketing hype...
Copper strips are supposed to be more effective than zinc, at least in theory, since copper ions are tougher on moss and algae. But I’ve seen a few roofs where the copper didn’t seem to make much difference, especially under heavy tree cover. Maybe it depends on how much rain you get or how steep your roof is? I’m in the Pacific Northwest, so shade and moisture are just a given—nothing really keeps moss away for good.
I’ve also noticed that some older houses with copper flashing around chimneys have cleaner patches below, but the effect doesn’t seem to reach very far down the roof. Wonder if it’s just a surface thing or if the strips need to be wider? Anyone actually measured how far the “clean zone” goes from the metal?
Regular sweeping and gutter cleaning seems like the most reliable routine, honestly. Not glamorous, but at least you’re not risking shingle damage or spending a ton on stuff that might not work.
Yeah, copper’s supposed to be the gold standard for moss, but honestly, in our rainy PNW climate, nothing’s bulletproof. I’ve seen those “clean stripes” too—usually only a couple feet below the metal. Wider strips help a bit, but under big trees, moss just laughs at metal. Regular sweeping is underrated... and way cheaper than chasing miracle fixes.
