those little guys packed them with acorns like it was their personal pantry
That’s actually more common than folks think. I’ve seen squirrels and even birds treat gutter screens as storage units, especially if there are mature trees nearby. One workaround I’ve tried is going with heavier-gauge screens with smaller mesh—less room for acorns to fit through, but still not totally critter-proof. Maintenance is key: clearing them out at least twice a season helps, but it’s a hassle. Sometimes, switching to cup-style rain chains can help since they’re less likely to get clogged with debris or attract wildlife compared to link styles, though neither’s perfect if you’ve got persistent visitors.
Cup-style chains have saved me a ton of headaches compared to the link ones. Squirrels still poke around, but at least the cups don’t fill up with acorns as easily. Still, nothing’s totally critter-proof—nature always finds a way, right?
Still, nothing’s totally critter-proof—nature always finds a way, right?
That’s the truth. I’ve seen squirrels stash stuff in the weirdest places, even inside downspouts. Have you noticed any issues with water flow during heavy rain using the cup style? Sometimes I wonder if the cups slow things down too much when it really pours.
- Yup, cups can slow things down a bit in a heavy downpour. I’ve seen water spill over the sides when it’s really coming down.
- Link style seems to let water move faster, but then you get more splash at the bottom.
- Had to clear out some leaves from mine last fall—cups do catch more debris, but easier to clean than a clogged downspout, honestly.
- If you’re in a spot with tons of rain at once, might lean link style... but I like the look of cups better.
Cup vs link style... honestly, both have their headaches. I’ve put up a fair share of each for folks, and I’ll say this: neither is perfect if you get those wild summer storms where it dumps buckets in minutes.
Here’s how I usually break it down for people:
1. **Heavy Rain:** If you’re in an area where you get those sudden, hard downpours, cups can get overwhelmed. Water will spill over the sides, especially if your gutters are dumping a lot at once. It’s not the end of the world, but you’ll see splashing and maybe some erosion at the base if you don’t have a good splash block or basin.
2. **Debris:** Cups do catch more leaves and gunk, but like someone said above, they’re easier to clear out than a downspout jammed up with wet leaves. I’ve seen folks just run a hose down the chain or even pop the cups off to rinse them. Links don’t catch as much, but if you’ve got a lot of trees, you’ll still get some buildup.
3. **Splash Factor:** Links move water fast, but it’s not always pretty at the bottom. If you care about keeping your mulch or landscaping tidy, you’ll want to set up a big enough basin or rocks to handle the extra splash. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a muddy mess.
4. **Looks:** This one’s personal. Most people like the look of cups better—feels more “finished.” Links are more utilitarian, but some of the heavier gauge ones look decent.
5. **Wind:** One thing folks don’t always think about—links can rattle and swing around in a storm. Cups have a bit more weight and tend to stay put, but if it’s really gusty, either style can bang against the house unless you anchor the bottom.
If you’re leaning cups for the look, just make sure your gutters aren’t oversized for the chain (or add a diverter to slow things down). If you’re all about function and don’t mind a little mess at the bottom, links are less likely to overflow.
I’ve got cups on my own place, but I’m in a spot with moderate rain and not a ton of trees. If I lived under a big oak or in a spot that floods, I’d probably go links and just deal with the splash.
Hope that helps someone on the fence. There’s no magic answer—just tradeoffs depending on your setup and what bugs you more: cleaning out leaves or cleaning up splash.
