Sometimes it’s not as bad as people expect... but sometimes it is.
That’s a solid point about tracking your electric bill after tree removal. I underestimated how much more direct sun would heat up our attic—insulation helped, but I still noticed the AC running longer. On the plus side, gutter cleaning is way easier now, like you mentioned. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles with maintenance vs. comfort.
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the trade-offs. When we took down a big maple in our backyard, I figured it’d just mean less raking in the fall—didn’t even think about how much hotter the upstairs would get. Our AC definitely works harder now, and I’m still debating if it was worth it. On the flip side, not having to climb up and clear out those gutters every couple weeks is a relief. Sometimes I wonder if adding a shade sail or something would help balance things out... Anyone else try that?
Sometimes I wonder if adding a shade sail or something would help balance things out...
I hear you on the AC running overtime after losing tree cover. We had a similar situation when we lost a big oak—suddenly the upstairs felt like an oven in July. Shade sails can help, but honestly, they don’t always cut it for upper floors unless you get creative with placement. I’ve seen people try pergolas or even climbing vines on trellises, but it’s a mixed bag.
One thing I’ve been looking into is green roofing—basically adding a layer of plants up there. It’s not cheap or simple, but it does a solid job of keeping things cooler and even helps with runoff. Not for everyone, but if you’re already thinking about ways to offset the lost shade, it might be worth checking out.
Gutter cleaning is such a pain, though. I get why you’d want to avoid it. Still, sometimes I wonder if the trade-off is just shifting the work from one place to another... less raking, more sweating inside.
Losing that big tree really does change everything, doesn’t it? I’ve been in the same boat—our maple came down in a storm last year, and suddenly the house felt like a toaster. Tried a shade sail, but unless you’re willing to anchor it halfway up the house or get fancy with poles, it barely touches the upstairs heat. Green roofing sounds cool, but I can’t imagine the hassle if you ever need to fix a leak or clear out debris. Plus, I’m not sure how well it’d hold up in our freeze-thaw cycles.
On the gutter cleaning front, I get what you mean about just trading one chore for another. I used to dread raking, now it’s all about dragging out the ladder every few weeks. I’ve thought about those gutter guards, but I’ve heard mixed reviews—some folks say they just trap more gunk. Has anyone actually found a low-maintenance solution that works long-term, or is it just wishful thinking? Sometimes I wonder if hiring someone once or twice a year is just the lesser evil, especially as I get older and less keen on climbing roofs...
I get the appeal of just hiring someone, especially after a few close calls on the ladder. But honestly, I still lean toward DIY for gutter cleaning—at least for now. I’ve had those “low-maintenance” gutter guards too, and you’re right, they’re not all they’re cracked up to be. The mesh kind clogged up faster than open gutters, and the solid ones just let stuff pile on top. Maybe it’s just my trees or the way the wind hits my house, but I ended up pulling them off after two years.
The thing is, when you hire out, you’re still trusting someone else to actually clear everything and not just do a quick pass. Last time I paid for it, they missed a whole downspout and I only realized after water started pouring over the edge during a storm. At least when I do it myself, I know it’s done right... even if my knees complain more than they used to.
I’m curious if anyone’s had luck with those telescoping gutter tools from the ground? Tried one last fall and couldn’t tell if I was clearing anything or just making a mess.
