“Water just sheeted right over the edge because the mesh clogged with pollen and those tiny maple seeds.”
That’s exactly what I see all the time. Those micromesh covers sound great in theory, but once you get a heavy spring pollen dump or those little helicopter seeds, they’re basically just a flat surface for stuff to pile up on. I’ve seen folks end up with worse overflow than if they’d just left the gutters open and cleaned them out twice a year. Sometimes the old-school way really is less hassle in the long run.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m still kinda tempted to try them. My neighbors swear by theirs, and they’ve got a ton of trees. Maybe it depends on the type of cover or how often you’re willing to brush them off? I just hate cleaning gutters...
I hear you on hating gutter cleaning—nobody enjoys dragging out the ladder every fall. I’ve seen a lot of folks go for leaf filters, especially in neighborhoods with mature trees. They do help cut down on the mess, but they’re not totally maintenance-free. Some covers let smaller stuff through, or debris can pile up on top and still need to be brushed off now and then.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the type of filter matters a lot. The mesh ones seem to block more, but they can clog up with pine needles or seeds if you’ve got those around. Solid covers shed leaves better but sometimes let water overshoot in heavy rain. It’s kind of a trade-off.
If you’re really over cleaning gutters, they’re probably worth a shot—just don’t expect to never touch your gutters again. Maybe check what kind your neighbors have and see how they hold up after a couple seasons. That’s usually the best test.
Had a customer last fall who swore up and down that leaf filters were gonna be the end of his gutter headaches. He went with the fine mesh type, since he’s got a couple monster maples out front. First season, it was a dream—barely anything in the gutters, water flowing fine. By spring though, those little whirlybird seeds started piling up right on top of the mesh. He ended up having to brush them off a couple times anyway.
I’ve noticed the same thing at my uncle’s place—he’s got the solid covers, and while they keep out big leaves, heavy rain sometimes just shoots right over the edge and makes a mess below. Guess it’s one of those “pick your poison” deals.
If you’re hoping for zero maintenance, it’s probably not realistic. But if climbing ladders is getting old (I don’t blame you), they do cut down on how often you have to mess with things. Just gotta be ready for a little upkeep now and then, depending on what trees you’ve got nearby.
I hear you on the maintenance part, but honestly, I’m not convinced the filters are worth the cost—at least not for everyone. I looked into them last year after getting tired of climbing up there, but the quotes were pretty steep for my little ranch. Ended up just buying a decent extension pole and brush. It’s not zero effort, but for the price difference, I can deal with a quick sweep a couple times a year. If you’re on a tight budget, might be better to skip the fancy covers and just schedule a routine clean.
