- Totally agree about the gutters—learned that one the hard way after my first big rain.
- I thought copper strips would be my magic fix, but nope... still got those green streaks until I finally cleared out a squirrel’s worth of leaves from the downspout.
- Not gonna lie, climbing up there is not my favorite weekend activity, but it beats dealing with a mossy roof.
- Anyone else notice the algae comes back faster on the north side? Maybe it’s just my place, but it’s like a science experiment up there sometimes.
That north side algae thing isn’t just you—happens all the time. North-facing slopes get less sun, so they stay damp longer, which is prime real estate for algae and moss. I’ve seen some roofs where it looks like someone spray-painted a green stripe right across the top.
Copper strips can help, but only if water actually runs over them. If your gutters or downspouts are clogged, that copper’s not doing much except looking fancy. I’ve found that keeping gutters clear is half the battle—otherwise you’re just giving algae a nice, wet place to hang out.
Not a fan of climbing up there either, but I’d rather do that than explain to someone why their roof warranty’s void after letting moss eat through the shingles. Quick tip: if you’re using any kind of cleaner, rinse it off thoroughly. Seen a few folks end up with streaks from leftover chemicals.
If you want to slow down the green stuff, trim back any overhanging trees too. Shade + debris = algae party. It’s not glamorous work, but it saves headaches in the long run.
If your gutters or downspouts are clogged, that copper’s not doing much except looking fancy.
Couldn’t agree more—people love the idea of copper strips, but they treat them like a magic fix. If water isn’t actually flowing over the copper, you’re just adding expense for very little payoff. I see so many roofs where the strip’s up there, but the gutter’s packed with leaves, so the water just pools and sits... then you get even more algae and rot.
One thing I’ll add: those “algae-resistant” shingles (like Atlas) help, but only to a point. I’ve seen them work better in full sun, but on the north side or under big trees, they still get streaky after a few years. Honestly, regular maintenance is the boring answer, but it’s the only thing that really works long-term. Trimming branches is huge—sometimes folks forget how much shade one limb can throw.
And about cleaners, yeah, rinse well, but also watch what you use. Some of those strong chemicals can do more harm than good, especially with warranty stuff. I’ve had customers call me after using off-the-shelf bleach mixes and ending up with discolored shingles. Just not worth it.
I get where you’re coming from about regular maintenance being the real answer, but I do think copper strips can be more than just “fancy” if they’re installed right. On my place (asphalt shingles, midwest, lots of trees), I put up a wider copper strip—almost 6 inches—and made sure it was tucked under the ridge cap. I also added a few extra downspout screens to keep the gutters clear. I’ve noticed way less algae on the north side since then. Maybe it’s not a magic fix, but it seems to help slow down the streaks.
About cleaners, I agree—some of those “roof wash” products are way too harsh. I tried a diluted oxygen bleach mix last spring, and it didn’t mess with the shingle color at all. Still, nothing beats just getting up there and pulling out the leaves every fall... not my favorite job, but it’s kept things looking decent so far.
I hear you on the copper strips—mine’s only about 2 inches wide and honestly, it’s not doing much. Might have to try a wider one like you did. I’m with you on the leaf cleanup too... every fall I swear I’ll invent a robot for it, but here I am, still up there with a rake.
