Zinc Strips Prevent Moss Growth on Roofs
November 3rd, 2011 | 14 comments
While black stains on roofs are a cosmetic issue, moss growth is more than just cosmetic. Not only does moss look terrible on roofs, it will also shorten the life of the roof covering and possibly lead to roof leaks. Whether you have wood or asphalt shingles, moss can grow on the roof if it doesn’t dry properly.
As with black algae stains, the most common place for moss to grow is on the north side of the roof, but if there are enough overhanging trees or other forms of shade, moss can really grow anywhere. If you want to kill the moss, follow the link above that explains how to remove black roof stains; the process is the same for killing moss. The results certainly won’t be as immediate, but it’s effective. Today, the focus is on what you can do to prevent moss growth on your roof.
Have you ever noticed that moss and black stains don’t appear on roofs underneath the areas with galvanized metal?
The roof stays minty fresh zincy fresh below the vents because every time it rains, a small bit of zinc gets washed off the metal, which runs down the roof and kills whatever is growing on the shingles – whether it’s moss, algae, lichens… whatever. If this is so effective, doesn’t it stand to reason that you could install strips of zinc along the top of the roof, and have them protect everything? Of course. You can actually buy rolls of zinc made just for this purpose. The 50′ roll of zinc pictured below was about $25 at Home Depot.
The zinc is supposed to be installed at the ridges of the roof, or along the hips as needed to make sure that the rainwater washes zinc down the roof.
I’ve heard many roofers say that these zinc strips are worthless and ineffective, so I decided to conduct my own semi-long term test. For my experiment, I installed a zinc strip along the ridge of a moss-covered garage roof approximately sixteen months ago. I didn’t do anything else to this roof – no scrubbing, no chemicals, no nothing. The before and after photos are shown below, and I think the results are pretty conclusive – zinc strips are effective at killing moss.
Before
After
That’s a pretty dramatic difference, isn’t it? I cleaned up the roof a bit before taking the second photo by using a leaf blower, but that was all. Remember, I applied that zinc strip to a roof covered in moss just to see what would happen; zinc strips aren’t supposed to be used as a moss remover, they’re supposed to be used as a moss preventer. If you’re not in any hurry, they’ll apparently remove moss too though.
As they say, individual results may vary. Zinc strips might not work for every application, but they’re not terribly expensive, and they’re not difficult for a roofer to install. If you have an existing roof with a moss problem, try zinc strips. Copper strips are supposed to work the same way.
Zinc strips are also supposed to be effective at preventing black stains from showing up on the roof. I’m starting a long-term experiment on my own house; I’ll report back with the results in a few years.
Stay tuned 
Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections - Email- Minnesota Home Inspections
Bill Thomford
November 9, 2011, 5:39 am
Where have you been Reuben? Must have been on Mars because this idea has been around for a long time.
Reuben Saltzman
November 9, 2011, 6:17 am
Bill – I’m not saying this is a new idea.
“I’ve heard many roofers say that these zinc strips are worthless and ineffective, so I decided to conduct my own semi-long term test.”
George
August 24, 2012, 9:41 am
Option A: To get the results you are showing in that picture you had to wait sixteen months, purchase the zinc strips, and get on the roof with a leafblower? There is still moss on the roof?
Option B: Hire a roof cleaning specialist and have a roof that looks brand new in less than a day?
The ladder in the picture isn’t 3 rungs above the roof. It is an osha rule, for safety. Don’t risk your life goiing on a roof. Hire someone who does it for a living every day.
Reuben Saltzman
August 25, 2012, 5:55 am
George – I think you missed the point of this post.
“Today, the focus is on what you can do to prevent moss growth on your roof.”
Sure, hiring a roof cleaning specialist to clean your roof will leave you with a clean roof, but this post was about the effectiveness of zinc strips when used to prevent moss growth.
Also, why bring up OSHA rules when it has nothing to do with a homeowner?
Haywood
August 25, 2012, 10:56 am
George is your typical internet troll who love to flame on posts, half cocked while posting from his mom’s basement.
billy
August 28, 2012, 7:14 pm
Ha, thanks Reuben for a great example on zinc strips added without cleaning first , no one could give me a straight answer. Settle down George , OSHA. Doesn’t inspect homeowner projects, neither do they inspect your power washing business.
BREN
September 17, 2012, 5:23 pm
I have a roof in Maryland that is an extreme case of shade and humidity. part of it has zinc strips installed 15 years ago. where they are is perfectly clean. where they are not is a jungle of mold, moss, and lichens. just had two new roofs put on with zinc strips even though every single roofer told me they weren’t necessary. i would never do another roof without them. the cost of zinc for a $10,000 roof is $75. evidently roofers don’t like them because the roof lasts too long or because they rip people off cleaning roofs. there is even one site that claims that they corrode and end up hanging down from where they were installed and other such b.s.
i have learned so much in having three roofs put on that i am now consulting for people who need roofs and helping them cut through the b.s.. I guaranty that i will save them more than i charge. my no. is 410 224 4877.
Thomas Delvecchio
October 22, 2012, 4:59 pm
Good Post.
I have heard as well, that zinc strips do not work for moss control, so I created a post effectively countering that argument. The post below and the picture attached to it, show that zinc strips and any metal in general will stop moss growth. Thank you for taking your time in writing this,
http://seattleroofcleaners.com/2012/06/26/seattle-roof-moss-removal/
Greg
February 5, 2013, 1:09 am
Thanks for the info, Reuben! I just spent around 2 hours scrubbing 2 of the north facing areas of my roof in Oregon. I’ve been using Tide w/bleach to kill the moss, then a Nylon brush to knock it off, once it’s dead.
Do I need to be roofer to install zinc strips? It does not look too technical.
Reuben Saltzman
February 5, 2013, 4:58 am
Hi Greg, no, you don’t need to be a roofer to install those zinc strips. You just need to be qualified to work on roofs.
janet robinson
April 12, 2013, 9:13 am
have read all the input to black on roofs,,,what would you recommend , 2″ or more of zinc strips….??? and what do you think this will cost to put on? or time to install on a total of 240′, ballpark figure…..it looks simple, but i am to old to climb anymore…i don’t want to be ripped off again, please give me some answers.. thanks, janet robinson
Reuben Saltzman
April 12, 2013, 3:32 pm
Hi Janet, I’m guessing it would be about $500.
michael
April 23, 2013, 10:48 am
Hi Reuben,
I just read on another roofing site – where they confirm that zinc strips do work, but it needs to be installed every 3 feet from the roof peak to about 3 feet above the gutter. If I interpret this correctly, the roof will have horizontal stripes down the roof. Is this overkill? Are they making it worse than it really is – hence marketing for their services? Is one strip along the crest of the roof, like you described, sufficient? Thanks for the article and feedback. I live in Seattle and moss is our second state plant!
Reuben Saltzman
April 23, 2013, 1:59 pm
Hi Michael,
I’ve heard that moss is pretty much uncontrollable in Seattle. A good home inspector in Seattle actually sent me a photo of moss growing *on* the zinc strip. I think all bets are off for your area. http://buellinspections.com/some-roofs-have-moss-other-roofs-have-moss/
- Reuben