Pine needles are brutal, though.
Yeah, pine needles are the worst. Had a job last fall where the gutters were packed solid—mesh guards helped a bit, but still had to clear them every couple months. Tried the leaf blower trick once, but ended up with a mess under the shingles... not worth it. Just gotta stay on top of it if you’ve got big trees nearby.
Tried the leaf blower trick once, but ended up with a mess under the shingles... not worth it.
Yeah, the leaf blower seems like a shortcut but it’s more trouble than it’s worth, especially with pine needles. They wedge themselves in and don’t always blow out cleanly. I’ve seen gutters that looked clear from the ground, but were packed tight at the downspout—caused an overflow during a storm, and the homeowner didn’t catch it until water started coming through the soffit.
Mesh guards are decent, but pine needles slip right through most of them or pile up on top. The only thing that’s worked long-term for clients with big pines is those fine stainless steel micro-mesh covers. Even then, you still need to brush off the tops a couple times a season, or they just mat down and water can’t drain.
Honestly, if you’re in a spot with a lot of pine, it’s just part of the routine. I tell people to check after any big wind event, too. One bad clog can cause a lot of damage before you even notice.
Totally agree about the pine needle issue—those things are relentless. I tried those plastic mesh guards a while back and honestly, they just made clogs harder to see. Has anyone had luck with those foam inserts? I’ve heard mixed things, but never tried them myself. For me, it’s turned into a twice-a-year ladder job, especially after a windy week. The micro-mesh covers sound tempting, but I’m not sure if they’re worth the price for a small ranch house.
- Pine needles are basically the glitter of the yard—once they’re in the gutters, they never leave.
- Tried foam inserts last fall. They worked okay until squirrels decided they were snacks. Not ideal.
- Mesh covers looked promising but I swear the needles just find a way through or pile up on top.
- At this point, my “system” is a leaf blower and a prayer... twice a year, like you said.
- For a small house, not sure I’d shell out for fancy covers unless you really hate ladders.
Leaf blower and a prayer—yep, that’s basically my fall ritual too. Tried those foam inserts once and the squirrels at my place went full gourmet on them... ended up with more foam bits in the downspout than leaves. Mesh covers didn’t do much either; pine needles just camped out on top like they were at a festival.
For now, I just drag out the ladder, gloves, and a trowel every spring and fall. Not fun, but cheaper than fancy covers, and I get a free arm workout. If someone invents a gutter forcefield, I’m first in line.
