I hear ya on the bigger downspouts—switched mine out last year and it's been a game changer. Honestly, I used to dread gutter cleaning day (always ended up soaked and cranky), but now once a year in November does the trick... unless a squirrel decides to build a condo up there again.
Bigger downspouts definitely help, but honestly, gutter guards have been the real lifesaver for me. I used to be up there twice a year minimum—spring and fall—and it was always a messy, slippery ordeal. Installed some decent-quality mesh guards about two years ago, and now it's just a quick check once a year around late October or early November. Sure, they're not totally maintenance-free (nothing ever is), but they keep out most of the leaves and debris.
And yeah, squirrels... they're relentless little architects. Had one build a nest right under the guard last spring—still scratching my head over how he squeezed in there. A quick tip: sprinkle some cayenne pepper around problem areas; squirrels hate it and usually move on pretty quickly. Worth a shot if you're tired of evicting furry tenants every season.
Mesh guards definitely cut down on the hassle, but I've seen some pretty determined squirrels squeeze into even tighter spots—it's impressive, honestly. Curious though, have you noticed any buildup of smaller debris under the mesh over time?
"Curious though, have you noticed any buildup of smaller debris under the mesh over time?"
Yeah, that's exactly what I've noticed. Mesh guards seem great at first glance, but honestly, they're not a complete fix. Last fall, I helped install some at my uncle's place because he was sick of cleaning gutters every few weeks. Fast forward a few months, and we had to pull them off again because all the tiny stuff—pine needles, seeds, bits of leaves—had compacted underneath and created a nasty sludge. It wasn't pretty.
I mean, sure, they keep out bigger leaves and branches, but the small debris still manages to slip through and accumulate. It almost feels like you're trading one hassle for another. Maybe it depends on your local trees or weather conditions...but from what I've seen, mesh guards aren't the magic bullet they're advertised as. They're helpful, don't get me wrong, but I'd still plan on checking things out at least once or twice a year to avoid surprises.
That's interesting to hear your experience with the mesh guards. I've been thinking about recommending them for a few properties I manage, but now I'm wondering if they're worth the hassle. Do you think the type of trees nearby makes a big difference? Maybe certain meshes work better with specific debris types... Anyway, appreciate you sharing this—good to know they're not a set-it-and-forget-it solution.
