I’m right there with you on being skeptical about those moss sprays. I bought a bottle last fall after seeing the green fuzz take over the north side of my roof (asphalt, not super steep, and shaded by a monster walnut tree). The label made it sound like magic, but honestly, I spent more time worrying about the stuff dripping into my herb bed than actually spraying. Ended up using maybe half the bottle and then just gave up. The moss looked a little less angry for a few months, but by spring it was back like it never left.
I’ve heard about zinc strips too, but my roof has a bunch of weird angles and valleys, so I doubt they’d do much except maybe at the very top. Plus, climbing up there to install them is not my idea of a fun Saturday.
Trimming branches is probably the most practical advice I’ve gotten, but like you said, not always possible—especially if your neighbor’s tree is the culprit. At this point, I’m leaning toward just getting up there every year with a stiff brush and calling it good. Not glamorous, but at least I know what’s going on my roof (and into my garden). Moss really does have a way of making you feel like you’re losing the battle...
At this point, I’m leaning toward just getting up there every year with a stiff brush and calling it good. Not glamorous, but at least I know what’s going on my roof (and into my garden).
I get the appeal of the DIY approach, but have you thought about what all that scrubbing does to your shingles long-term? I’ve seen folks wear down the granules way faster than they realize. Sometimes a pro cleaning every couple years ends up cheaper than replacing shingles early. Not saying the sprays are magic either—just wondering if the brush routine is worth the tradeoff.
- Totally get wanting to keep tabs on your own roof—peace of mind is huge.
- Just a heads up, scrubbing with a stiff brush can knock off more granules than you’d think, especially if you’ve got older shingles. I’ve seen it happen on my uncle’s place—looked clean, but the shingles wore out way faster.
- Maybe try a softer brush or just spot-clean the worst spots? That way you’re not roughing up the whole thing every year.
- Honestly, nothing wrong with DIY if you’re careful. At least you know what’s up there and can catch problems early.
I hear you on the stiff brush thing—learned that lesson the hard way with my first house. Thought I was doing a good job, but those old asphalt shingles started shedding granules like crazy after a couple seasons. Now I just use a soft broom and rinse with a hose if I really need to. Honestly, half the time it’s just moss or leaves anyway, and those come off pretty easy if you catch them early.
That’s a good call switching to the soft broom. I’ve seen so many folks go at their roofs with stiff bristles or even power washers, thinking they’re getting things extra clean, but it just ends up costing them down the line. Those granules are there for a reason—once they’re gone, you’re basically inviting leaks and UV damage.
Here’s the routine I usually follow, especially with older asphalt shingles (and I’m in the Pacific Northwest, so moss is a constant battle):
1. Twice a year—usually late spring and again in early fall—I’ll get up there and gently sweep off whatever’s sitting on the roof. I try not to wait until there’s a thick mat of leaves or pine needles, since that just traps moisture.
2. If there’s any moss starting to take hold, I’ll use a leaf blower or even just my hands to clear it away if it’s loose. For anything stubborn, I mix up a mild solution of water and dish soap, spray it on, and let the rain do most of the work over time. Never had much luck with those harsh chemical moss killers—they seem to do more harm than good.
3. Gutters are just as important. If they’re clogged, water will back up under the shingles and rot out the edges. Not fun.
4. After cleaning, I always do a quick scan for lifted shingles or exposed nails—those little things can turn into big headaches if you ignore them.
I know some people swear by pressure washing but honestly, unless you’ve got a metal or tile roof, it’s just not worth the risk. And yeah, sometimes it feels like overkill to get up there for a few leaves, but catching stuff early saves way more hassle (and money) later.
Anyone else dealing with moss year-round? Sometimes I wonder if it’s just our damp climate or if my neighbor’s giant maple tree is making it worse...