Is there any trick to getting the copper wire to stay put up there, or does it just kind of lay across the ridge?
I had the same question and ended up just tucking the wire under a shingle tab and hoping for the best. Gravity’s doing most of the work right now. Not sure if it’s “by the book,” but so far, no disasters. And yeah, I’m constantly worried about wrecking my shingles—every time I climb up there, I picture myself causing a leak. Those black streaks are relentless though... part of me wonders if it’s just a losing battle.
I totally get the anxiety about messing up the shingles—felt the same way the first time I tried this. What worked for me was gently lifting the edge of a shingle (just enough to slide the copper under) and then pressing it back down. I used a small dab of roofing cement to keep the wire from shifting, but only in spots where it wouldn’t block water flow. Haven’t noticed any leaks or extra wear so far, and the black streaks have faded a bit. It’s not a perfect fix, but it’s holding up better than I expected.
Man, you nailed it—literally and figuratively. The first time I tried to tuck copper under shingles, I kept imagining the whole roof sliding off or a squirrel moving in where I lifted things up too far. But yeah, if you’re gentle and don’t go prying like you’re opening a can of paint, it’s usually fine. The dab of roofing cement is smart... just don’t get too generous with it or you’ll end up with weird bumps that collect water.
I’ve seen some folks try to use way too much copper or even zinc, thinking more is better. Honestly, a little goes a long way—especially if your roof’s got a decent slope and rain can actually wash over it. Black streaks fading is a good sign you’re on the right track. It’s not magic, but it buys time before the algae really takes over.
Funny thing—my neighbor tried something similar but used pennies instead of proper copper strips. Didn’t work at all, but he swears the birds love it now... roofs are weird sometimes.
Funny thing—my neighbor tried something similar but used pennies instead of proper copper strips. Didn’t work at all, but he swears the birds love it now... roofs are weird sometimes.
Yeah, pennies won’t cut it—wrong copper content and not enough surface area. Have you noticed any staining where the runoff hits the gutters? Sometimes that’s a tradeoff with copper, especially if you overdo it. I’m curious if anyone’s tried the newer algae-resistant shingles and how they stack up against the copper hack.
Copper strips do a decent job, but you’re right—too much and you’ll start seeing those blue-green streaks on the gutters and siding. It’s not just cosmetic either; sometimes the runoff can stain concrete or even kill plants if it pools at the base. I’ve seen a few jobs where folks tried to “double up” on copper thinking more is better, and it just made a mess.
As for the algae-resistant shingles, I’ve inspected a handful of roofs with them in the last couple years. They seem to hold up well, especially in shaded spots where algae usually takes over first. The granules are supposed to release copper or zinc slowly, so you get the same effect as strips but without the risk of heavy staining. That said, nothing’s totally maintenance-free. If you’ve got overhanging trees or a lot of humidity, you’ll still see some growth eventually.
Honestly, your copper hack is a solid approach if you’re careful about placement and runoff. Just keep an eye on those gutters and downspouts for any weird discoloration. Sometimes it’s a balancing act between keeping the roof clean and not trading one problem for another...