Maples are brutal for gutters—those little helicopter seeds get everywhere. I’ve managed a few properties with both foam inserts and just open gutters, and honestly, the foam does get gunky over time, especially in shady spots. They’re not *that* hard to rinse, but it’s messy and you’ve gotta let them dry out or you risk that musty smell. If you’re up for more frequent cleanings, open gutters are fine, but with maples you’ll probably be up there every couple weeks in spring and fall. Haven’t found a perfect fix yet... just depends how much ladder time you’re willing to put in.
I hear you on the foam inserts—mine turned into a soggy mess after one wet spring, and the smell was unreal. Ever looked into those metal mesh guards? I’m skeptical they’d keep out all the maple stuff, but maybe less gunk buildup?
I’ve actually had more trouble with those mesh guards than I expected. They did cut down on the big clumps, but the little maple seeds still found their way in and sprouted—tiny trees poking out of the gutters by June. Honestly, I ended up just going back to a twice-a-year cleanout. Not perfect, but at least I know what I’m dealing with.
I hear you on the mesh guards—mine were a pain in the neck too, but I stuck with them. I got the finer stainless screens (not the cheap plastic kind) and they’ve actually kept most of the junk out, even those little maple helicopters. Still gotta knock some stuff off the top once in a while, but it beats climbing up there to dig out sludge. The upfront cost stung, but honestly, I hate cleaning gutters so much I figured it was worth a shot. Guess it depends how much you want to avoid the ladder...
I get the appeal, but honestly, I’ve seen those fine mesh guards clog up on top just as much as open gutters in some spots—especially after a windy week. Sometimes you’re still up there brushing off piles of leaves, just not scooping out the sludge. Not sure it’s a huge time-saver for everyone.