In order to keep pine needles out of gutters, you can install mesh gutter guards, perform regular gutter cleaning to prevent clogs, or trim back pine tree branches that overhang your roof.
If you do choose to install gutter guards, make sure to choose a brand of micro-mesh gutter guards. Reverse curve and large mesh guards don’t stop pine needles, and cleaning clogged gutters that have guards installed on top can be a laborious task.
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3 Methods to Remove and Keep Pine Needles Out of Gutters
Similar to pine needles in your yard, pine needles in your gutter are a disaster. They clog gutters, cause spillage, and eventually wreak serious havoc on your gutters. Rather than allow your gutters to become dangerously clogged when pine needles fall, it’s best to keep them pine-needle-free. Here are the best ways to do so.
Install Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards
Don’t be fooled by reverse-curve gutter guards or broad mesh solutions—if there’s space big enough for pine needles to poke into a gutter guard, they’ll infiltrate. The only gutter protector that stops pine needles is a good micro-mesh gutter guard. Pine needles are extremely pesky and will sneak through most mesh. They can also be carried into reverse-curve gutter guards by flowing water, causing nasty clogs that can destroy your gutters.
Micro-mesh gutter guards are made so that nothing can sneak through except water. Leaves, dirt, and pine needles are all blocked by this extremely fine mesh. If you want to keep pine needles out for good, this is the way to go.
Make Gutter Cleaning Easy
Tired of climbing a ladder to clean gutters? There’s a much easier solution. A hose-attached gutter cleaning wand allows you to use pressured water to spray pine needles and other debris out of your gutters without the aid of a ladder.
If you don’t want to invest in gutter guards and installation, it’s essential to clean pine needles out of your gutters to prevent clogs. Because pine needles fall year-round, you’ll want to inspect your gutters quarterly and clean them 1–2 times per year.
Trim Overhanging Pine Branches
An effective and often overlooked method for preventing pine needles from accumulating in gutters is to consider trimming pine trees that overhang your roof. It’s good practice to make sure there are no branches hanging over your home. Branches can scrape against your roof and home, damaging both, and fallen branches can cause serious damage.
By trimming back pine branches that hang precariously over your home, you’ll both eliminate the risk of property damage and keep a lot of pine needles out of your gutters. Assess the trees near your home and cut them back if they pose a threat.
Do You Need to Remove Pine Needles from Gutters?
It’s essential to remove pine needles from gutters to prevent clogs. Left untended, a gutter without micro-mesh covers will eventually fill with debris, leading to the following problems:
- Poor drainage and roof leaks
- Gutters tearing from the house
- Damage to roof, fascia, or walls
- Gutter overflow in unwanted areas
Inspect your gutters regularly. Even if you have gutter guards, make sure to check periodically to make sure they have not been damaged in such a way that would allow debris to infiltrate and cause clogs.
Removing Pine Needles from Gutters
Pine needles can be removed from gutters by hand by climbing atop a ladder, but this is slow work. You’re much better off installing micro-mesh gutter guards, using a hose attached extendable sprayer to clean gutters, or cutting back overhanging pine branches to reduce the number of pine needles dropped on your roof.
If you take these precautions and check your gutters each season to ensure they are in good shape, you can easily keep your gutters clear of pine needles and prevent expensive damage to your home.
