Might try your flashlight trick next time; sounds easier than climbing up and down the ladder repeatedly. Thanks for the tip!
The flashlight trick can work well for quick checks, but honestly, it won't catch everything. I've seen plenty of gutters that looked clear from below, only to find compacted debris hidden in corners or downspouts. The hose test from above is still the best bet to ensure proper drainage—especially if you've got trees nearby. Tennis balls and frisbees are easy enough to spot, but smaller clumps of leaves and dirt can quietly build up and cause trouble later on. Just my two cents...
Yeah, flashlight checks are handy for a quick glance, but I've had times where everything looked fine until a heavy rain hit... and then surprise, overflowing gutters. The hose method really is solid advice—running water through from above helps catch those sneaky blockages hiding deeper down. Speaking of which, does anyone notice certain seasons or weather patterns causing more buildup than others? Around here, spring pollen clogs things up almost as badly as autumn leaves.
I've noticed the pollen issue too—it's sneaky stuff. Last spring, I thought my gutters were spotless until a big storm hit. Turns out pollen had formed this thick, muddy paste deep inside... hose test definitely saved me some headaches there.
I've found the hose test helpful too, but honestly, pollen buildup isn't usually my biggest issue. Leaves and twigs seem way more problematic around here... maybe it depends on the trees around your place?
"Leaves and twigs seem way more problematic around here... maybe it depends on the trees around your place?"
- Agree leaves and twigs are annoying, but honestly, pollen buildup can be sneaky bad too.
- Last spring, I ignored pollen thinking it wasn't a big deal... ended up with clogged downspouts after a heavy rain. Learned my lesson there.
- Also noticed pollen tends to cake up inside gutters over time, especially if you don't get regular heavy rains to flush them out.
- Twigs and leaves are obvious culprits, but pollen's like that quiet troublemaker you underestimate until it's too late.
- Might depend on climate too—dry spells followed by sudden storms seem to make pollen issues worse around here.
- Bottom line: wouldn't dismiss pollen completely; it's worth keeping an eye on even if leaves seem like the bigger hassle.
