What kind of clogged gutter is the best clogged gutter? This sounds like a bad gutter joke, but it’s true: Some types of gutter problems are easier to fix than others. When you’re trying to keep your gutters clear of debris, you need to know what to look out for. What is the worst possible type of gutter debris?

Fine Debris Can Slip Into Your Gutters

Some of the worst debris for your gutters is the debris that’s nearly invisible. This fine debris can slip into your gutters unnoticed and can accumulate there, causing water to back up or gutters to warp and sag. A layer of needles at the bottom of your gutter is one of the toughest items to get rid of when you’re cleaning your gutters. While evergreen trees keep their needles on throughout the seasons, they also shed them over time. These needles can land on your roof or float on the wind and end up in your gutters. The needles stick into small cracks and accumulate at the bottom of the gutter. They can also get stuck in the areas where the gutter meets the roof, causing backups there as well. To avoid needle accumulation in your gutters, look for gutter covers that use the surface tension of the water to push away all debris such as leaves and needles.

Sediment Can Clog Gutters

Whether you live near a dusty road or you have old asphalt shingles that are decomposing, fine sediment is a common problem in your gutters. Even if you’ve installed a mesh gutter filter, this type of sediment can slide right in with the water that moves into your gutters. Since it’s often heavier than the water, it sinks to the bottom of the gutter and can coat it with sediment, slowing down the water and encouraging the accumulation of more debris. Look for gutter covers that can handle this finer debris and move it gently off the roof, and if your roof is getting damaged over time, consider a repair or replacement as well.

Springtime Plant Debris

When it’s spring, that means one thing for plants: pollination. From pollen to the many and varied types of blossoms and seeds that plants produce, you’ll find that spring is a fountain of potential items that can clog your gutters. While leaves may stick on your roof for a while, if you have a few dry days they may also blow back onto the ground. They’re also very obvious when they are in your gutters. On the other hand, pollen and small seed husks are just about invisible in your gutters. They may also be slightly sticky. With a little bit of water, they easily decompose into a fine powder-like mulch that can stick to the bottom and side of the gutters and trap other debris along with it.

Are you looking for a more permanent solution for your clogged gutters? Contact Lednor Home Solutions. We’ll help you keep your gutters flowing clear by adding gutter covers to your home. Install Gutter Helmet this year and never clean your gutters again.

Written by Del Thebaud