I get where you’re coming from with the gloves and rake—sometimes the old-school way just feels more reliable. But I’ve actually had better luck with the heavier-duty aluminum gutter guards, not the mesh ones. They’re pricier, but they don’t cave in or clog up as fast, especially if you’ve got a lot of big leaves or random toys flying around. Still gotta check them every now and then, but at least I’m not up there every weekend. Guess it depends on the trees and, apparently, the neighborhood toy situation...
Guess it depends on the trees and, apparently, the neighborhood toy situation...
That’s a good point about the toys—seen more than a few action figures and tennis balls clog up downspouts after a windy weekend. I’m with you on the heavier-duty aluminum guards. Mesh types tend to sag or get jammed up with pine needles in my area, especially after heavy storms. The solid covers with small slots seem to hold up better, but they’re definitely not “set it and forget it.”
One thing I’d add: even with the pricier guards, water can sometimes overshoot if there’s a steep pitch or if debris piles up along the edge. Noticed it most when maples drop those helicopter seeds—they’ll slide right over some guards and pile up fast.
Routine checks are still key, especially after storms or if you’ve got kids next door who treat your roof like a landing zone for their stuff. At least with sturdy guards, you’re not clearing out handfuls of sludge every week... just keeping an eye on what’s building up top.
- Can confirm the “not set it and forget it” part. I’ve got those solid aluminum guards with the narrow slots, and they’re better than nothing, but I still end up on a ladder after every big storm. Pine needles are the worst—seems like they’re designed to find any gap possible.
- Had mesh guards for a while. Looked great at first, but after one fall season, they were sagging in the middle and packed tight with maple helicopters. Ended up pulling them off and cursing my optimism.
- Water overshooting is real, especially if your roof’s got a steep pitch. I’ve seen it shoot right past the gutter during heavy rain, then pool around the foundation. Not exactly what you want. I tried adjusting the angle of the guards, but it only helped a little.
- Toys… yeah. Found a Nerf dart wedged in my downspout last month. No idea how it got up there—my kids swear it wasn’t them, but I’m not buying it.
- One thing I’d add: squirrels. They love to stash acorns under the guards, and sometimes even chew through the edges if they’re feeling ambitious. Not sure any guard is truly “squirrel-proof.”
- For me, routine checks are just part of life now. I keep a telescoping pole handy for quick sweeps, but every few months it’s up the ladder for a closer look. Not fun, but beats dealing with water in the basement.
- If anyone’s thinking about skipping guards altogether, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you really love cleaning gutters by hand. The guards aren’t perfect, but they cut down on the worst of it.
Guess in suburbia, you’re always battling something—leaves, toys, or wildlife. At least it keeps things interesting...
Water overshooting is real, especially if your roof’s got a steep pitch. I’ve seen it shoot right past the gutter during heavy rain, then pool around the foundation.
That overshoot is a pain, especially after a big storm. I’ve seen folks try splash guards or even wider gutters, but sometimes it just shifts the problem. Ever tried adding a rain diverter up on the shingles? I’m curious if that actually helps or just makes cleaning more complicated. Also, anyone have luck with those foam inserts? I’ve always wondered if they just turn into mulch after a season...
Ever tried adding a rain diverter up on the shingles? I’m curious if that actually helps or just makes cleaning more complicated.
Had a diverter up for a year—helped with the overshoot, but it did catch a lot of leaves and gunk. Cleaning was more annoying, but at least water stopped pooling at the foundation. Haven’t messed with foam inserts; always figured they'd clog up quick and just rot.
