Honestly, I’ve found that nothing beats just getting up there and checking myself, even if it’s just a quick peek.
- I get the hands-on approach, but for me, climbing up every few months isn’t always doable (budget and time-wise).
- I actually switched to a cheap extendable gutter cleaning tool—keeps me off the ladder most of the year.
- If you’re in a spot with tons of trees, twice a year might not cut it. After big storms, I do a quick check from the ground with binoculars. Not perfect, but it’s saved me from surprise clogs.
- Foam inserts were a bust for me too... ended up spending more replacing them than just clearing things out myself.
I hear you on the foam inserts—those things never seem to live up to the hype, do they? I’ve worked on a lot of homes where folks thought gutter guards were a set-it-and-forget-it fix, but they still ended up with blockages, especially after a windy week. Personally, I try to check gutters every season, but honestly, if you’ve got a lot of trees, it can feel like a losing battle. Ever notice how pine needles seem to find their way in no matter what? Those extendable tools are a game changer for second-story gutters, though... way less nerve-wracking than hauling out the big ladder every time.
Ever notice how pine needles seem to find their way in no matter what?
Seriously, it’s like pine needles have a vendetta against gutters. I swear they could slip through a bank vault if you gave them half a chance. I’m with you—gutter guards are better than nothing, but they’re not magic. I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on fancy covers, only to end up back on the ladder with a trowel and some colorful language. At this point, I just accept seasonal cleaning as part of my cardio routine.
I swear they could slip through a bank vault if you gave them half a chance.
That’s the truth. I’ve got a couple properties under tall pines, and no matter what kind of guard or screen I try out, those needles still find a way in. Once, I thought I’d finally won the battle with some high-end covers—nope. Still ended up on the roof twice that fall. At this point, I just schedule gutter cleaning twice a year, like clockwork. It’s less about the guards and more about not risking water damage down the line.
It’s less about the guards and more about not risking water damage down the line.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had better luck since switching to a combo of mesh guards and regular leaf-blower sessions. Maybe it’s the type of pine around here, but the needles mostly just pile up on top now instead of sneaking through. Still need to check them, but I’m not up there nearly as often. Not saying it’s foolproof, but it’s cut my cleanings down to once a year, sometimes even less. Guess it really depends on the trees and the wind in your area.
