Why Leaf Guards Are Not a Substitute for Cleaning

Leaf guards are a genuinely useful add-on, but they are often sold as a way to stop cleaning gutters altogether. That is not quite how they work.

What leaf guards actually do

A mesh or brush guard stops larger leaves and debris from entering the gutter channel, which does reduce how often a full clean is needed.

What they do not stop

Fine grit, pollen, moss spores and small seeds still pass through most guard types and settle at the bottom of the channel over several seasons. Guards can also make this build-up harder to spot from the ground, because the surface looks clear while the channel underneath silts up.

The honest recommendation

Guards extend the interval between cleans, they do not remove the need for one. A property with guards fitted might reasonably go from twice a year to once a year, not to never.