At least you caught it before leaks started. That’s a win, even if it doesn’t feel like one.
Honestly, that’s the part I always forget to appreciate until I’m knee-deep in buckets and towels. My uncle used to say “cosmetic” damage is just the roof’s way of warning you before things get ugly. I’ve seen some folks ignore hail dents and then months later, water finds its way in through the tiniest crack.
Recycled shingles sound interesting—did they hold up okay? I’ve only ever worked with new asphalt or metal so far, but curious how the recycled ones compare for wear and tear.
I get what you mean about “cosmetic” damage being a warning sign. I used to brush off little dings too, thinking it’s just an eyesore—until one summer storm turned those into a real headache. Had to scramble with buckets myself, and let me tell you, that’s not how you want to spend a Sunday night.
About the recycled shingles—tried them two years ago when I was pinching pennies after a surprise car repair. They went on my detached garage roof. So far, no leaks or curling, but I do notice the granules seem to wear off faster than on the main house (which has new asphalt). Not sure if that’s just normal aging or because of the recycled material. The price was right though, and I figured if they last 10 years, I’ll call it even.
Has anyone else noticed more moss growing on recycled shingles? Or maybe it’s just my shady backyard... Curious if that’s common or just bad luck with tree cover.
I’ve got a similar setup—recycled shingles on the shed and regular asphalt on the house. Noticed the same thing with the granules, they seem to come off quicker, especially after a heavy rain. I’m in the Pacific Northwest, so moss is always trying to take over anything that sits still, but I swear the recycled ones do get green faster. Could be the rougher texture or just that they’re not as dense? Hard to say.
I tried scrubbing it off last spring and it helped for a while, but by fall it was creeping back. The house roof barely has any, even though both get about the same amount of shade. I don’t mind cleaning once a year, but if it gets worse I might rethink using recycled for anything bigger than a shed.
Kind of wish I’d known about the chicken coop thing before—makes you wonder what corners were cut back then... or maybe they just made do with what they had.
Funny how those little details about a product’s history make you wonder, right? I totally get what you’re saying about the moss—up here in Oregon, I’m always battling it too. Even if the recycled shingles aren’t as tough, they’re still a solid budget choice for sheds or outbuildings. I feel like if you’re saving some money and only have to scrub once a year, it’s not the worst tradeoff. But yeah, if it gets to be more hassle than it’s worth, no shame in switching things up next time.
Funny how those old product stories stick around. I’m with you on the moss—Pacific Northwest roofs just can’t catch a break. I’ve used recycled shingles for a backyard shed, and yeah, they didn’t last as long as the “real deal,” but it was easy on my wallet. Have you tried any of those zinc or copper strips to keep moss off? They work okay for me, but I wonder if it’s worth installing them on something like a shed.