I get your point, but honestly, I've had ivy climbing up my brick walls for years without any real issues. Sure, it takes some maintenance to keep it from going wild, but a little greenery can be worth the extra effort...depends on your setup, I guess.
Haha, ivy can be sneaky though...it starts off all innocent and charming, then next thing you know it's trying to invade your attic or something. Had to help a buddy once whose ivy had crept under his shingles—let's just say, pulling ivy roots out from roofing felt is NOT my idea of a fun weekend. Do you ever check behind yours, just to make sure it's behaving itself?
Yeah, ivy can definitely get sneaky if you're not careful. Have you thought about installing a barrier or trim around the roofline to keep it from creeping under shingles? I've seen some folks use metal flashing or even just regular pruning to keep it in check. Also, do you notice any difference depending on the ivy type? Some varieties seem way more aggressive than others...just curious if you've seen that too.
Metal flashing is a solid suggestion—seen it work pretty well, especially if you angle it slightly outward to discourage climbing. Regular pruning helps too, but honestly, some ivy types just don't quit. English ivy seems particularly stubborn in my experience...have you noticed if that's the one causing trouble? I've dealt with Boston ivy too, and it seems easier to manage overall. Curious if others have had similar experiences with different varieties.
- Metal flashing definitely helps, especially angled outward like you mentioned.
- English ivy is relentless...had a client whose chimney was practically swallowed by it. Boston ivy seems way more cooperative.
- Have you tried Virginia creeper? I've noticed it's easier to redirect and manage overall, plus it looks pretty nice in fall. Curious if others have found it easier to handle too.
