Copper Zinc Strips – Why They are Ineffective for Cleaning Roofs

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Copper Zinc Strips – Why They are Ineffective for Cleaning Roofs

Here are the recommended roof installation procedures for Zinc Strips. Then we will explain our experience with copper, zinc strips.

Installation issues.

1. 1. Apply Zinc Strip by butting it up against the ridge cap against both sides of all roof peaks for preventing mold, moss, lichen, and fungus.
   2. Nail Zinc Strip approximately every two feet with roofing nails.
   3. Apply more Zinc Strips to stained roofs to be somewhat effective. Install the strips every 2 to 3 feet down the roof and across it. Suggested install 6 Zinc Strip rows across the front and back of an A style ranch roof. If the home is 50 feet long you will need 600 feet of Zinc Strips at a cost of $660 (for the front) and no warranty. Not including labor.
   4. The strips also need to be added below any obstruction such as chimneys, skylights, dormers, etc. that block the natural flow of rain water down the roof. What a hassle!
   5. Add Rain.

The rain water runs over the Zinc Strip, zinc should run down the roof and works at trying to kill mold, moss, lichen, and fungus on the roof. These molds cause roof stains and cause damage and shorten the life of the roof.

Our experience with zinc strips – Effectiveness

The roof pictured at the top of the page has Zinc Strips installed at the top of the roof (below the roof ridge vent, roof cap or below the first row of shingles). Inconsistent roof treatment results can be observed: the strips are more effective at the ridge where the strips are installed and less effective just 1foot down. Even if you install the strips every 2 to 3 feet down the roof and across it there would be no way to stop mold, moss, lichen, and fungus from growing on the roof.  Now you have to cross your finger and hope that the rain washes over the zinc strip causing a release of zinc. Hoping there is a perfect coverage over every inch of your roof. The problem – every roof has high and low areas, the zinc will flow only in to the lowest depressions because of gravity.

Our experience with zinc strips – Aesthetics

The Zinc Strips have a pewter-gray appearance…the color of metallic zinc. Who wants gray strips impacting the look of your home and curb appeal?

In addition, some roof protection products being sold are made of galvanized steel. Galvanizing is a process that coats steel with a thin layer of zinc either by electroplating or by dipping the steel in hot molten liquid zinc. In either case, only a thin layer of zinc is present. As this coating of zinc dissipates, the steel is exposed allowing rust to form. Not only is the zinc protection lost, but the resulting rust oxide can stain the roof red now! Also, when galvanized steel is cut to size, the cut edge also rusts. Again, rust stains are likely.

Our experience with ‘Liquid Zinc’

Another product that is sold is to prevent mold, moss, lichen, and fungus stains on a roof is Liquid Zinc. Liquid Zinc must be reapplied every 12 to 18 months, increasing total treatment costs. Our experience is that Liquid Zinc is just like the strips.

Our Recommendation

First, don’t install copper, zinc roof strips to prevent mold, moss, lichen, and fungus. We recommend safely and properly restoring your roof the American Roof Brite® way. Local Richmond, Va. area dealer: American Roof Brite® Richmond.  Next, applying Stain Block®, a patented roof-treatment process, prevents fungus, mold, and moss growth.  Stain Block® has been successfully used for over 40 years to preserve thousands of roofs nationwide and is offered with a lifetime warranty. For your local dealer.  americanroofbriteva.com You can find out more information by calling (804) 553-1563 or visit our website.