Dean's Ladder
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Roof & Gutters

Comprehensive guidance on roofing materials, ice dam prevention, gutter systems, flashing, and contractor evaluation. Focused on cold-weather performance and long-term durability.

Melt Snow Roof Ice Dams Safely: What Actually Works
Roof & Gutters
Aug 09, 2026

Melt Snow Roof Ice Dams Safely: What Actually Works

Need to melt snow roof ice dams safely? Real contractor tips to clear snow, prevent ice dams, and protect shingles witho...

Dean Fletcher
Roof Coating Maintenance Checklist: Keep Your Coated Roof Leak-Free
Roof & Gutters
Aug 08, 2026

Roof Coating Maintenance Checklist: Keep Your Coated Roof Leak-Free

This roof coating maintenance checklist covers the five steps you should take every year: inspect, clean, patch, re-coat...

Dean Fletcher
How Much Does Roof Maxx Treatment Cost? The Straight Answer
Roof & Gutters
Aug 07, 2026

How Much Does Roof Maxx Treatment Cost? The Straight Answer

Wondering how much does roof maxx treatment cost? Dean gives real price ranges, what changes the quote, and whether to r...

Dean Fletcher
The First Thing I Check When a Homeowner Says Their House Has a Leak
Roof & Gutters
Jul 19, 2026

The First Thing I Check When a Homeowner Says Their House Has a Leak

When a homeowner calls about a leak, I don’t start at the water stain. Here’s the very first thing I check — and why it ...

Dean Fletcher
What a Roof Tear-Off Actually Looks Like (Photos From the Last One I Ran Before Quitting)
Roof & Gutters
Jul 19, 2026

What a Roof Tear-Off Actually Looks Like (Photos From the Last One I Ran Before Quitting)

I ran my last full roof tear-off before quitting the contracting business. Here’s what the process really looks like — t...

Dean Fletcher
Gutter Guards: I've Installed Six Types. Only Two Are Worth It
Roof & Gutters
Jul 17, 2026

Gutter Guards: I've Installed Six Types. Only Two Are Worth It

After installing six different gutter guard systems on real jobs, here’s the no-nonsense truth about which ones actually...

Dean Fletcher
Ice Dams Every Winter? Your Attic Is the Problem, Not Your Roof
Roof & Gutters
Jul 15, 2026

Ice Dams Every Winter? Your Attic Is the Problem, Not Your Roof

Ice dams keep forming on your roof every winter? After fixing hundreds of them, I can tell you the real culprit is usual...

Dean Fletcher
Three Things I Look For On a Roof Estimate That Tell Me If the Contractor Knows What He's Doing
Roof & Gutters
Jul 13, 2026

Three Things I Look For On a Roof Estimate That Tell Me If the Contractor Knows What He's Doing

After running hundreds of roof jobs in cold climates, these three details on an estimate reveal whether the contractor a...

Dean Fletcher
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