Clean them
At least once a year before monsoon season, and after leaves drop if you have trees. Clear the canale and the roof area in front of it.
Signs of trouble
- Water standing in front of the canale after storms
- Rust holes or a canale sagging away from the wall
- Stucco stains or erosion below
- Water dripping inside near the canale
Protect the walls
Longer canales, splash blocks and rock beds keep water off the stucco and away from the foundation.
Repair or replace
Resealing fixes small leaks at the wall. Rusted or badly sloped canales should be replaced with the roof rebuilt around them. See canale repair.
Common questions
Can I clean canales from the ground?
Sometimes partially. Clearing the roof area in front of them usually means getting on the roof.
Copper or steel?
Both work. Copper costs more and ages to a patina; painted or galvanized steel is common.