Good points overall, but I'd caution against relying too heavily on windbreaks. In my experience, they can sometimes trap debris or snow buildup, causing new issues. Instead, I've found choosing tougher native plants that handle wind exposure well is usually enough. Also, totally second the drainage thing—nothing worse than discovering a mini-swamp on your roof after a storm... learned that lesson myself!
Yeah, windbreaks can be a mixed bag. I remember planting a row of shrubs thinking they'd shield my roof from harsh winds, but after one nasty winter storm, I ended up with a snowdrift piled right against the house—talk about unintended consequences. Native plants are definitely a safer bet. And drainage...ugh, learned that one the hard way too. Nothing like climbing up to clear out standing water after every heavy rain. Good call on that one.
"Native plants are definitely a safer bet."
Yeah, totally agree with you there. I've seen some folks go all-in on exotic shrubs or trees thinking they'll hold up better, but they usually end up causing more headaches—roots messing with foundations, branches snapping off in storms...you name it. Also, about drainage, have you tried those gutter guards? I was skeptical at first, but they've saved me from climbing ladders after every downpour. Curious if anyone else has had luck with them.
Gutter guards can be hit or miss, honestly. I've managed properties where they've worked wonders, especially if you pick the right type—mesh ones seem to hold up best. But I've also seen cheaper plastic versions warp or clog up pretty fast. Another thing to consider is roof pitch; steeper roofs naturally shed debris better, so gutter guards might not even be necessary. Has anyone here experimented with different roof slopes to see how they handle heavy storms?
You're spot-on about mesh guards—seen them hold up impressively during some nasty storms. Roof pitch definitely matters too; I've noticed steeper roofs shrug off debris like it's nothing, while flatter ones...well, let's just say they keep me employed after heavy weather rolls through.
