Has anyone found a trick for keeping stuff from piling up in the valleys? That’s where I always get stuck.
Valleys are always tricky, especially with maples and pines dropping debris. Mesh guards do a decent job, but honestly, neither mesh nor brush inserts are perfect if you’re dealing with a lot of fine needles—they tend to mat down and clog both types eventually. For valleys, I’ve seen folks use foam inserts or even just schedule a quick leaf blower pass after big storms. Not a permanent fix, but it helps keep things moving. If you’ve got easy access, a telescoping pole with a soft brush can clear out most buildup without climbing up every time. Maintenance really is never-ending, but a little prevention goes a long way.
Those valleys are a pain, especially under big trees. I’ve tried foam and mesh—both end up clogged quicker than I’d like, especially with pine needles. What’s worked best for me is hitting the valleys with a leaf blower every couple weeks, more often in the fall. I’ve also put in some time with a long-handled brush after storms, but honestly, it’s just routine maintenance. Haven’t found any product that’s really “set it and forget it” in those spots. If someone has, I’d love to know.
Funny, I thought mesh would be the answer too—nope, just a different kind of headache. I’ve got a big maple dumping leaves in my valley, and even with the blower, I still end up up there with a gutter scoop half the time. Honestly, I wish there was a magic fix... but I guess it’s just part of having trees and a roof.
Honestly, I wish there was a magic fix... but I guess it’s just part of having trees and a roof.
Mesh screens seem like a no-brainer until you’re up there clearing out the sludge that gets stuck on top of them. I’ve seen folks try those foam inserts too, but they just end up trapping wet leaves and causing more clogs. If you’re dealing with a big maple, you’re probably getting those helicopter seeds in spring too, right? Those things wedge into everything.
One thing I’ve found helps (not perfect, but better) is running a hose through the valleys after you blow off the roof. It pushes smaller debris toward the downspout before it settles. Also, have you ever tried trimming back some of the overhanging branches? Sometimes just reducing how much direct drop you get can cut down on the mess.
Curious—what kind of gutters are you using? K-style or half-round? Some shapes seem to clog faster than others in my experience.
- Gotta disagree a bit on mesh screens being more trouble than they're worth. In the multi-family buildings I manage, the right kind of screen (stainless micro-mesh, not the cheap plastic stuff) actually does cut down on overall cleanings. Yeah, you still get some crud on top, but it’s way easier to brush off than digging out packed gutters twice a year.
- Foam inserts—completely with you there, those things just turn into soggy leaf sponges. Wouldn’t use them again.
- I’ve noticed K-style gutters clog faster in heavy tree areas, probably because of the sharper corners. Half-rounds seem to rinse out better, but they don’t always move as much water during a downpour.
- Trimming trees helps, but some properties just have too much canopy to make a real dent. Plus, city codes sometimes limit how much you can cut.
Not saying screens are perfect, but for bigger properties or when you can’t get up there every season, I’ll take the tradeoff. Just my two cents... every property is a bit different.
