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Clearing roof mess: DIY or hire a pro?
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After that last storm, my roof's got more branches and gunk than I expected (seriously, where do all these pine needles even come from?). Anyway, I'm torn between just grabbing a ladder and doing it myself or shelling out for a cleanup service. On one hand, DIY saves cash and I kinda like the idea of just getting it done, but I'm not exactly a fan of heights and my roof's pretty steep (asphalt shingles, if that matters). On the other hand, pros have all the gear and probably won't freak out if a squirrel pops out mid-cleanup.
Has anyone tried both? Is paying for the service really worth it, or am I overthinking how tough it is to do myself? Any horror stories or tips?
704 replies
my roof's pretty steep (asphalt shingles, if that matters)
Steep asphalt is no joke. I tried cleaning my own last fall - thought I’d save a few bucks. Ended up sliding halfway down and nearly took out a gutter. If you’re not comfortable with heights or the pitch, I’d lean pro. The gear alone makes a difference, and they know how to avoid damaging the shingles. It’s not just about the mess, it’s about not making things worse.
Yeah, steep roofs are a whole different beast. I tried using a leaf blower on mine (asphalt shingles too) and even with shoes that supposedly had grip, it felt sketchy. If you do go DIY, I'd say step one is making sure you’ve got a solid harness and anchor. Step two - never work alone. But honestly, after almost losing my balance, I started thinking the pro route might be worth the extra cost just for peace of mind.
I hear you on the sketchy factor - my place has a 10/12 pitch, and even with those “grippy” shoes, I felt like I was one wrong move from sliding off. I tried the harness/anchor setup, but honestly, getting it all rigged up took longer than the actual cleaning. Ended up calling a pro last fall after a close call with wet leaves. Sometimes the extra cost is just worth not stressing about it.
I get the temptation to just do it yourself, especially when you look at the price tag for pros. I’ve done my own cleanup a couple times (asphalt shingles, moderate pitch), and honestly, it was fine until I hit a patch of wet moss and nearly lost my footing. Those “grippy” shoes only do so much if the roof’s slick. If you’re not comfortable with heights or don’t have a harness setup, it’s probably not worth the risk. The cost stings, but a hospital bill would sting more. If you do go DIY, maybe check if you can use a roof rake from the ground for some of the mess - less drama that way.
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