Foam just turned into a squirrel buffet at my place, and mesh alone wasn’t cutting it under the big maples.
Same here—foam was basically a snack bar for the critters. I tried those plastic guards first, but they warped after one summer. Ended up with a combo of mesh and some cheap gutter brushes. Still have to get up there every couple weeks in the fall, but at least I’m not dealing with gross leaf sludge anymore. Anyone else find the brushes get clogged up faster than expected?
Still have to get up there every couple weeks in the fall, but at least I’m not dealing with gross leaf sludge anymore.
That’s pretty much my routine too. The brushes do clog up faster than I thought they would, especially under the oak tree. I just tap them out on the driveway and pop them back in—beats scooping out wet leaves by hand. Not perfect, but way less gross.
I tried those brush things too, and honestly, I thought they’d be a miracle fix. Turns out, they’re just a little less disgusting than the alternative. My gutters are right under a couple of maples, so it’s like a leaf confetti party every week. I still have to climb up there and shake out the brushes, but at least I’m not wrist-deep in black sludge anymore.
One thing I didn’t expect—those little helicopter seeds get stuck everywhere. I swear, I could plant a whole new tree farm with what I pull out. Still, I’ll take that over the “leaf soup” situation from last year. Not perfect, but my gutters haven’t overflowed yet, so I’m calling it a win... for now. If anyone invents a self-cleaning gutter, I’ll be first in line.
Brush guards were a letdown for me too. I figured they’d be a set-it-and-forget-it fix, but nope—still up the ladder every few weeks, just swapping out muck for a tangle of twigs and seeds. Those maple helicopters are relentless. I tried those metal mesh covers last fall, thinking they’d be better, but honestly, they just trapped wet leaves on top and made a soggy mess. At least the water’s flowing, but I’m not convinced any of these gadgets are worth the hype. Maybe I’m just too picky, but nothing beats getting up there and clearing it by hand... as much as I hate to admit it.
At least the water’s flowing, but I’m not convinced any of these gadgets are worth the hype.
- Gutter guards can be hit or miss, but I’ve seen solid results with reverse curve covers (the kind that let water in but shed debris).
- They’re pricier and need pro install, but in heavy maple zones, they seem to keep out the “helicopters” better than mesh or brushes.
- Downside: ice dams can be worse if you’re in a freeze/thaw climate.
- Still, I’d rather deal with that than constant clogs. Hand cleaning’s reliable, but it’s not always practical if you’ve got a two-story or steep roof.
- Sometimes it’s just about picking your battles...
