I’ve looked into those solid covers too, and honestly, the price tag just didn’t make sense for me. A neighbor had them installed a few years back—he said they worked okay for the first season, but then pine needles started clogging the little slots, and he was back up there with a hose anyway. I stick to the twice-a-year cleanout. I use a leaf blower with a gutter attachment, then flush with a hose. Not glamorous, but it’s cheap and I know exactly what I’m dealing with each time. If you’re handy, some folks DIY their own covers with hardware cloth, but even that needs checking now and then.
I’ve noticed the same thing with those solid covers—especially in areas with a lot of pine trees. The theory sounds good, but in practice, small debris still finds a way in. I’m curious if anyone’s tried those foam gutter inserts? They seem like they’d be less prone to clogging, but I wonder about mold or breakdown over time. I usually just do the hands-on cleanout too... not fun, but at least you know it’s clear.
I’m curious if anyone’s tried those foam gutter inserts? They seem like they’d be less prone to clogging, but I wonder about mold or breakdown over time.
I actually went with the foam inserts last fall because I was tired of scooping out wet leaves by hand. Honestly, they worked for a few months, but once spring hit, I started seeing some greenish gunk growing on them. Not sure if it was mold or just algae, but it definitely made me second-guess the whole thing. Maybe it's just my shady yard, though? I kind of wish I'd tried the mesh screens instead... anyone had luck with those?
I tried mesh screens after dealing with the same foam insert issues—mine started to break down and got pretty gross after a year, especially in the spots that stay damp. The mesh screens have held up better for me, but they’re not perfect either. Pine needles still sneak through sometimes, and I have to brush them off every few months. If you’ve got a lot of shade and moisture, I’d lean toward metal mesh over foam. It’s less likely to turn into a science experiment up there...
If you’ve got a lot of shade and moisture, I’d lean toward metal mesh over foam. It’s less likely to turn into a science experiment up there...
I hear you on the “science experiment” thing—my foam inserts turned into black sludge after one rainy season. I switched to those snap-in plastic mesh guards, but honestly, they’re kind of flimsy and warped in spots. Metal mesh sounds sturdier, but I wonder if it’s worth the extra cost? Also, does anyone else find even the best screens still need regular cleaning? I feel like there’s no true set-it-and-forget-it option.