Little maintenance is required, but the unit must be removed from the water in winter in areas where lakes are expected to freeze. The life of the unit is predicted at a minimum of five years. Advantages Rolling suppresses regrowth of plants in areas where it is regularly used. The treatment area can be modified by using up to three or more, ten foot roller tube sections, as well as by adjusting the roller tube travel arc. Weed rolling creates and maintains areas of open water adjacent to docks.
Operating costs are low - about the same as using an ordinary light bulb.
Disadvantages Weed rolling will disturb some bottom dwelling animals and may interfere with fish spawning. If plants are present, weed rolling will cause plant fragmentation, which may increase the spread of some invasive weeds. Weed rolling can cause a depression to develop where the unit operates as the fine sediment is dispersed to other areas of the waterbody. When the cleared area is to be used for activities such as swimming or wading, the rollers should be unplugged from the power source, moved and stored under or along side a dock. People may injure themselves if they step on the roller tube.