I hear you on the maple seed mess, but I gotta say, those micro-mesh covers have actually helped me out a bit. Not perfect—nothing is—but they cut down my cleanouts from three times a season to maybe once, and that’s worth it for me. I do have to get up there with a leaf blower after the big drop, but at least I’m not scooping out sludge every time. Maybe it depends on roof pitch or how many trees you’ve got? My neighbor’s got no guards and he’s basically running a gutter compost pile by July...
I do have to get up there with a leaf blower after the big drop, but at least I’m not scooping out sludge every time.
That’s kind of what I’m hoping for—less sludge, less time on the ladder. I just moved in last fall and already had to clear out a gross mess twice before winter. We’ve got two big maples right over the house, so it’s basically raining seeds and leaves for weeks. I’m looking at those mesh covers but not sure if they’re worth the hassle or if stuff just piles up on top instead.
Anyone ever have issues with ice dams after putting on gutter guards? I’m in Michigan, so snow melt is a thing. Not sure if it’s better to deal with leaves or risk more ice buildup.
Anyone ever have issues with ice dams after putting on gutter guards? I’m in Michigan, so snow melt is a thing.
I’m in northern Ohio and have a similar setup—big old maples, constant leaf drop. I put mesh guards on two years ago and honestly, they cut down the sludge a ton, but you’re right, stuff does pile up on top after a windy week. As for ice dams, I haven’t noticed much difference with the guards on. The real issue for me was always attic insulation and ventilation, not the gutters themselves. If your attic’s warm, that’s when the melt/refreeze cycle gets bad. The guards just keep the worst of the gunk out, but you’ll still need to knock some leaves off now and then. It’s a tradeoff, but for me it’s less gross than scooping out that black soup every fall.
I went with those snap-on plastic guards last fall because I was tired of fishing out what looked like compost stew every time it rained hard. They definitely keep the big stuff out, but I still get some smaller debris piling up on top—nothing a quick sweep with a broom can’t handle. Haven’t noticed any worse ice damming, honestly. Like you said, attic insulation seems to make way more difference than what’s happening in the gutters. If anything, at least my hands aren’t freezing in gutter goo anymore... small victories, right?