I get the whole “just clean it twice a year” thing, but honestly, I’m not dragging my butt up a 12/12 pitch every spring and fall. I put in stainless guards last year—yeah, they catch some pollen, but way less gunk overall. Squirrels are jerks, though... nothing’s totally squirrel-proof.
I hear you on the steep pitch—those things are no joke. But honestly, even with guards, I’ve still seen gunk pile up in valleys and behind chimneys. Sometimes it’s not about the gutters at all, but where stuff collects on the roof itself. I usually tell folks to at least do a quick check with binoculars from the ground, just in case something obvious is clogging up. And yeah, squirrels... they’ll chew through anything if they’re determined enough.
That’s interesting—do you think it’s worth spending on guards if stuff just ends up stuck in those valleys anyway? I’ve got a bunch of big maples, and the leaves always seem to find their way into every nook, guards or not. I’ve tried the binocular trick, but sometimes I can’t tell if it’s just leaves or something worse, like a bird’s nest. Is there a way to deal with the valleys without hiring someone every year? I’m always worried about missing something up there and ending up with a leak.
Is there a way to deal with the valleys without hiring someone every year? I’m always worried about missing something up there and ending up with a leak.
That’s the part that gets me too. I’ve got a ranch with a low slope, and those valleys are like magnets for all the junk the wind can throw at them. I tried guards one year, but honestly, they just seemed to trap wet leaves right in place—almost worse than nothing. Have you ever tried one of those roof rakes from the ground? I’ve used one for snow, but I’m wondering if there’s a version for leaves that actually works without tearing up the shingles.
Also, do you get ice dams where you are? I always wonder if all that debris in the valleys makes them worse when things freeze up. Last winter, I missed a patch and ended up with a slow drip into my attic... not fun. Do you think it’s worth investing in one of those camera drones to check things out, or is that overkill for a regular homeowner?
I totally get the anxiety about missing something up there. My place isn’t huge, but those valleys always seem to hide just enough gunk to make me nervous every fall. Tried the leaf guards too—same story as you. They just turned into a wet mat that was even harder to clear out. I’ve never found a rake for leaves that doesn’t risk scraping up the shingles, so mostly I end up climbing up there with gloves and a plastic scoop, which isn’t exactly my favorite weekend activity.
Ice dams are a big deal here in central PA. The year I skipped cleaning one valley, I got water spots on the bedroom ceiling by February. That was a fun surprise... I patched it myself, but it’s still a little yellowed if you know where to look. Thought about a drone too, actually. Seems like a cool gadget, but I keep talking myself out of it since I’d probably only use it twice a year. Still, might be cheaper than hiring someone every time if you’ve got a tricky roof. Hard to say.
