You nailed it—there’s just no shortcut for keeping those drains clear, especially with all the maples around. I’ve seen every gimmick out there, and honestly, most of them just create a different kind of headache. Had one client who tried those foam inserts... ended up with a soggy, moldy mess that actually blocked the drain worse than the leaves ever did. Metal mesh is a little better, but like you said, all the seeds and grit just slip through and turn into sludge.
I always tell folks: if you’ve got trees nearby and a flat roof, regular hands-on checks are just part of life. It’s not glamorous work, but it beats dealing with water backing up under the membrane or finding leaks in your ceiling after a big storm. Sometimes I wish there was an easier way, but until someone invents magic gutters, rolling up your sleeves is still the best bet. At least you know exactly what’s up there—and you can spot any other issues before they turn into real problems.
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually had way better luck with a combo approach. I used to do the hands-on checks every couple weeks—especially in fall—and it’s true, nothing beats actually looking at what’s up there. But after one too many close calls during a rainstorm, I tried out those dome-shaped drain covers (the ones that sit up a few inches off the roof). They’re not perfect, but paired with a regular sweep with a leaf blower, they cut down on the gunk getting into the drains by quite a bit.
One thing I noticed: if you just rely on mesh or foam, yeah, you’re asking for trouble. But if you can keep the area around the drain clear with a quick pass every week or so, and the dome stops the big stuff, you’re less likely to get that nasty sludge buildup. It’s not “magic gutters,” but it means I can stretch out the time between full-on cleanings. Maybe it depends on the type of trees you’ve got—maples are brutal—but it’s saved me some hassle.
Just my two cents. Every roof seems to have its own personality...
- Gotta say, those dome covers didn’t do much for me. Pine needles just wedged right in and I still had to get up there after a big storm.
- I ended up switching to a custom screen with bigger gaps—less clogging, but yeah, more hands-on checks.
- Maybe it’s just my area (lots of fir trees), but I’d rather spend 10 minutes up there than risk a backup.
- Guess it really depends on the type of debris you’re dealing with... maples vs. pines is a whole different headache.
Guess it really depends on the type of debris you’re dealing with... maples vs. pines is a whole different headache.
That’s been my experience too. I’ve got mostly maples, so the leaves mat down and block the drains in sheets, but at least they’re easier to scoop out than pine needles. Tried those dome covers—honestly, just made things worse since the leaves piled up on top and slowed drainage even more. Ended up fabricating a sloped mesh screen that sits a few inches above the drain. Not perfect, but at least I can clear it with a broom from the ladder after storms. Flat roofs really do need more hands-on attention, especially with heavy rain.
Ended up fabricating a sloped mesh screen that sits a few inches above the drain. Not perfect, but at least I can clear it with a broom from the ladder after storms.
That’s clever. I tried something similar with chicken wire a while back, but the wind kept shifting it and I ended up chasing it around the roof during one particularly nasty storm. Ever had issues with snow mixed in? Where I am, the snow melts and refreezes, and sometimes the drains clog with ice chunks and leaves all at once. Wondering if there’s a better way to deal with that combo, or if it’s just part of the flat roof deal...
