I hear you on the “leaf lasagna” with mesh guards—seen that plenty, and it’s a pain. But I’ve always wondered if the cost of pro cleanings twice a year really adds up to less than dealing with water damage repairs down the road. Anyone had actual overflow issues even with regular cleanings? Around here, some folks swear by those foam inserts, but I’m skeptical they do much besides trap more gunk. Curious what’s actually worked for people in heavy tree zones...
Leaf lasagna—yeah, that’s the perfect name for it. I’ve seen mesh guards that look like they’re holding together a compost pile instead of keeping gutters clear. Honestly, I’ve worked on plenty of houses where folks did the twice-a-year cleanings, and it definitely helps, but in spots with big maples or oaks right over the roof, even that isn’t always enough. Had one customer who swore by those foam inserts... until we pulled them out and found a whole ecosystem living in there. They can clog up faster than you’d think, especially if you get a lot of pollen or seeds.
Water damage repairs are no joke—seen fascia boards and even interior walls ruined because water kept spilling over clogged gutters. That stuff adds up way quicker than a couple hundred bucks for cleaning. If you’ve got heavy tree cover, sometimes the only thing that really works is old-school hand cleaning, maybe three times a year if you’re unlucky. Not fun, but better than dealing with moldy drywall down the line.
Had one customer who swore by those foam inserts... until we pulled them out and found a whole ecosystem living in there.
That’s exactly why I’m skeptical of any “set it and forget it” gutter solution. Mesh guards, foam, even those brush things—they all sound good until you see what actually collects underneath or inside them. What’s worked for me is a combo: sturdy metal guards (not the cheap plastic stuff), plus a quick visual check after every big storm. If you’ve got overhanging trees, hand cleaning is just part of life. It’s a pain, but way better than shelling out for water damage repairs.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had good luck with fine mesh guards—especially the stainless steel kind. They don’t let much through, and I haven’t seen stuff building up underneath like with foam or those bristle things. I do think it depends on your trees, though. In my area, it’s mostly pine needles, and the mesh handles them way better than I expected. Still need to check them once in a while, but at least I’m not scooping out sludge every season.
Mesh guards are definitely popular, but I’ve found they’re not always the most cost-effective option, especially if you’re dealing with a lot of heavy debris. In my case, we have maples and oaks, and those little seeds and twigs still manage to clog up the mesh over time. I ended up just going with regular gutter cleaning twice a year—cheaper upfront, and I can spot any other issues while I’m up there. Not ideal for everyone, but it saves me some cash and hassle.
