Green roofs are great—when they’re planned from the start. Otherwise, those “weeds” are just warning signs, not free insulation.
That hits home. I used to think letting a few wildflowers or moss do their thing on my garage roof was “eco-friendly,” but after a couple of rainy seasons, I learned the hard way. The roof started pooling water in weird spots, and next thing I knew, I had a slow leak dripping onto my workbench. Not fun.
I’m all for saving money and going green where it makes sense, but patching up water damage isn’t cheap. My neighbor tried to DIY a green roof with some leftover soil and plants, but he ended up with clogged gutters and a mess of roots poking through the old tar paper. Maybe if you’ve got the budget and the right setup, it’s worth it, but for most of us with older flat roofs, I’d rather just keep things clear and check for soft spots every spring.
Anyone else notice how fast debris piles up after a windy week? I swear, it’s like my roof is a magnet for every leaf in the neighborhood...
I’m right there with you on the debris. My roof’s not even under a big tree, but after every storm, it’s like a leaf convention up there. I used to think a little moss was harmless, but after poking around last fall, I found some soft spots that made me rethink that idea real quick. I get the appeal of a green roof, but on these older flat ones, seems like the risk outweighs the reward unless you really know what you’re doing. Regular checks and a decent broom go a long way...
- Totally get the worry about moss—had a patch once that looked kinda cool, but it soaked up way more water than I realized.
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—that’s fair, especially on older flats.“seems like the risk outweighs the reward unless you really know what you’re doing”
- Green roofs can work, but yeah, prep and ongoing care are a whole thing.
- Regular checks like you’re doing? That’s honestly most of the battle.
“seems like the risk outweighs the reward unless you really know what you’re doing”
That’s pretty much my take, especially with older roofs. I tried adding a bit of greenery to a flat section once—looked good for a season, then the drainage just couldn’t keep up. Ended up with damp patches inside. Anyone ever had luck with those anti-moss treatments? I’ve seen mixed reviews, and I’m not convinced they’re worth the hassle.
I hear you on the drainage issues—my place has a low-slope roof and even just leaves can cause headaches. I tried one of those anti-moss sprays last fall, but honestly, I couldn’t tell if it did much. Maybe it’s more about keeping up with regular cleaning? Has anyone found a method that actually keeps moss away long-term, or is it just a losing battle in damp climates?
