Roof upkeep through the seasons - did you see this?

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.
-

“seems like the risk outweighs the reward unless you really know what you’re doing”

“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?

Moss is like that one neighbor who just won’t take a hint and leave - shows up every year, no matter what you spray. I’ve seen folks try copper strips along the ridge, and honestly, that seems to slow things down more than the sprays ever did on my clients’ roofs. Still, nothing beats getting up there with a broom every few months, even if it feels like a losing battle. Has anyone actually had luck with those zinc strips, or is that just another “as seen on TV” gimmick?

Copper strips have definitely worked better than sprays in my experience too, but I get what you mean - it’s never a total fix. I’ve seen zinc strips slow moss down a bit, but they’re not magic. On some roofs, especially the north-facing ones here in the PNW, moss still creeps back. Honestly, nothing I’ve tried has fully replaced just getting up there and sweeping every few months. It’s a pain, but it keeps things under control. At least you’re not alone in the struggle...

Yeah, I hear you on the moss battle - especially up here where shade and rain just won’t let up. Copper strips slow it down, but like you said, nothing beats regular hands-on cleaning. It’s tedious, but honestly, that’s what keeps my own roof from turning into a science experiment. At least you’re keeping ahead of it... some folks just let it go and end up with way bigger headaches.

Copper strips slow it down, but like you said, nothing beats regular hands-on cleaning. It’s tedious, but honestly, that’s what keeps my own roof from turning into a science experiment.

I get what you mean about copper strips - they do help, but in my experience, they’re more of a “slows the moss down” thing than a real fix. I’ve tried zinc strips too, and honestly, didn’t notice much difference. Maybe it’s just the amount of shade I’ve got on the north side. Have you ever actually seen those strips make a big difference, or is it just one of those things people swear by because it sounds good?

The hands-on part is brutal, especially if your roof’s got any pitch to it. I’m always worried about slipping when I’m up there with a brush. I’ve heard some folks use a pressure washer, but I’m not convinced that’s safe for shingles - seems like you’d risk blasting off granules and shortening the roof’s life. Anyone here actually tried that? Did it cause any damage, or am I just being paranoid?

My neighbor let his roof go for years and now he’s got leaks and rot in the sheathing. Makes me wonder - how often are you all getting up there to check things out? I try to do it every spring and fall, but sometimes I skip a season if the weather’s bad or I just don’t feel like dealing with it. Is twice a year enough, or am I pushing my luck?

One thing I haven’t figured out: is there any real way to make moss less of an issue long-term? Or is it just something we have to live with in wet climates? I keep thinking about switching to metal when this roof finally gives out, but that’s a whole other can of worms (cost, noise, etc). Curious if anyone’s made the switch and found it worth it.

Anyway, just trying to figure out if there’s a smarter way to stay ahead of this stuff, or if it’s always going to be a pain.

I hear you on the strips - honestly, I’ve never seen them do more than slow things down either, especially on the shady side. What’s made a bigger difference for me is trimming back trees to get more sun on the roof. Not always possible, but even a little helps. As for pressure washing, I tried it once and regretted it... lost a bunch of granules and had to patch up some shingles after. Twice a year checks seem fine unless you’ve got a ton of debris or moss - then maybe a quick look after big storms too. About metal roofs, yeah, they’re pricey upfront but the folks I know who switched barely have to touch them now, and moss just slides off. The noise isn’t as bad as people say if you’ve got decent insulation.

- Totally agree on pressure washing - tried it once, never again. Shingles looked worse after, and my wallet felt lighter.
- Tree trimming’s a good call, but my neighbor’s oak is basically a roof umbrella... not much I can do there.
- Metal roofs sound great, but the price tag made me laugh-cry. Maybe one day.
- I just stick to clearing gutters and doing a quick check after storms. Not fancy, but it keeps things from getting out of hand.
- Twice a year is about all I’ve got patience (and budget) for. If moss wants to move in, it’s getting the broom, not a power washer.

Pressure washing is a hard pass for me too - tried it once, and the granules on my shingles just washed away. I get the appeal of metal roofs, but yeah, the upfront cost is wild. I’ve been experimenting with moss-resistant shingle strips, but honestly, nothing beats a broom and some patience. Twice a year feels about right unless you’re living under a forest... which, sounds like you basically are.

Pressure washing a shingle roof is just asking for trouble, in my experience. I tried it once after a neighbor swore by it, but ended up with a bunch of bald patches where the granules just disappeared. Lesson learned - now I stick to a stiff broom and a little elbow grease. It’s not glamorous, but it does the job without wrecking the roof.

Metal roofs are tempting, especially when you see how clean they stay and how little moss seems to stick. But yeah, the sticker shock is real. I got a quote last year and it was almost double what I paid for asphalt. Hard to justify unless you’re planning to stay in the house for decades or you’re just sick of dealing with shingles.

I’ve tried those copper and zinc strips too. They help some, but honestly, if you’ve got trees hanging over your roof like I do, nothing keeps the moss away forever. I’m in the Pacific Northwest, so it’s a constant battle - moss, needles, the whole deal. Twice a year is about all I can manage, but after every big windstorm I end up up there again clearing out gutters and checking for loose tabs.

One thing I started doing is taking photos of the roof every spring and fall. Helps me spot changes or damage before it gets out of hand. Found a cracked vent boot last year that would’ve turned into a leak if I hadn’t caught it early.

If you’re under heavy tree cover, it’s just part of the routine. I’d rather spend an afternoon on the roof than deal with water stains on the ceiling later. Not fun, but it beats the alternative.

I hear you on the moss - living in the Midwest, we don’t get quite as much, but shade from big maples still causes trouble. I’ve tried the zinc strips too, but they only seem to help on the upper half of the roof. I’m curious if anyone’s had luck with those spray-on moss treatments? I’m a bit wary about runoff into the garden, but scraping by hand is getting old.

Those moss sprays are a bit of a mixed bag, at least from what I’ve seen. My uncle tried one last year on his north-facing roof (asphalt shingles, pretty steep pitch, lots of shade from old elms) and it did knock the moss back for a while. But the stuff came with a giant warning about not letting it run off into the vegetable beds below. He ended up rigging this whole tarp setup to catch the drips, which honestly looked like more work than just scraping by hand.

I get what you mean about zinc strips only working up top. I’ve noticed that too - seems like rain doesn’t carry enough zinc all the way down, especially if your roof’s got valleys or isn’t super steep. Plus, if there’s already a thick mat of moss, it barely makes a dent.

Personally, I’m kind of skeptical about those spray-on treatments for long-term results. They seem to make things look better for a season or so, but then the moss creeps back unless you really stay on top of it. And yeah, I’d be nervous about what’s washing into the garden - some of those chemicals are pretty harsh.

One thing that helped my neighbor was trimming back some branches to get more sun on the roof. Not always possible if you love your big maples (or if they’re not yours to trim), but even thinning out a few limbs made a difference over time. Less shade = less moss, at least in theory.

If you do go with a spray, maybe try something labeled as “garden safe” and do it on a dry stretch so you can control where it goes? Not sure there’s any perfect fix besides regular maintenance... which is annoying, but at least keeps you from having to replace shingles early. Sometimes feels like fighting a losing battle though - moss is stubborn stuff.

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...