Cleaning Under Older Gutter Guards in Cleveland: Screens and Covers That Trap Debris

Plenty of Cleveland homes already have gutter guards, often older screens, mesh or plastic covers that came with the house or were added years ago, and some of them let debris build up in the gutter underneath. When that happens, the gutter clogs out of sight. Zipco cleans under existing guards as part of a gutter cleaning: we carefully lift them, clean underneath and re-secure them. If the guards themselves are the problem, Zipco Leaf Shield is the upgrade.

This post is about older and other-brand guards already on a home, and what we do when we find them.

Why older guards still clog

Gutter guards vary widely, and not every design keeps the gutter clean underneath. Our gutter guard types comparison explains how the different designs work. With older screens and covers, these are the usual reasons debris ends up in the gutter anyway:

• Fine micro-mesh screens tend to blind over with grit and pollen, so water runs off the top instead of draining through.
• Screens and covers that have shifted or sagged let debris slip into the gutter, where it settles with nowhere to go.
• Buildup on top. Older screens and covers collect pollen, shingle grit and pine needles on their surface and need periodic top-surface cleaning.

In each case, the result is similar: debris collects where you can't see it, and the gutter stops draining the way it should.

Why debris under a guard is a problem

Debris trapped under a guard behaves like debris in an open gutter, only it's harder to notice. It stays wet, packs down, and adds weight to the hangers. It works its way toward the downspouts and blocks them. And when the gutter can't drain, water spills over the front or back edge, soaking the fascia behind it. Because the guard hides all of this, it can go on for a long time before anyone sees the damage.

What a clogged gutter under a guard looks like

From the ground, a gutter with guards can look fine even when it isn't. Common signs include:

• Water spilling over the front edge during rain.
• A gutter or guard that sags in one section.
• Downspouts that run weakly while the gutter above is full.
• Plants or seedlings growing out of the guard.
• Stains or peeling paint on the fascia behind the gutter.

How Zipco cleans under existing guards

Cleaning a gutter with older guards follows our regular cleaning process, with one extra step at each end:

1. Lift the guards. We carefully lift the existing guards to reach the gutter underneath.
2. Hand-clean the gutter. Every leaf, twig, shingle granule and pine needle is hand-removed and bagged, working each run downhill toward the downspouts.
3. Flush and verify. Every downspout is flushed with a hose to confirm flow, and clogs are cleared with a snake when needed. We don't leave until water flows freely.
4. Check the hardware. We tighten loose hangers, note any sagging or separation, and flag developing issues.
5. Re-secure the guards. The guards go back on and are secured.
6. Clean up. All debris is bagged and removed from the property, and the landing zones are swept.

From the ladder, we also note any obvious shingle damage, soffit issues or fascia rot, and you get an emailed summary with any concerns we noted. Before-and-after photos are available on request. See our gutter cleaning page, and our post on two-story gutter cleaning for how the crew works on taller homes.

When the gutters under the guards need repair

A guard hides the gutter as well as the debris, so a cleaning is often the first time in years anyone has seen the gutter underneath. The hardware check can turn up sagging sections, loose hangers or separated joints that have been hidden by the guards.

When that happens, our gutter repair service fixes the gutter itself: sagging sections are re-pitched and re-secured with new heavy-duty hangers screwed into the rafters, failing spike-and-ferrule hardware is replaced with hidden hangers, and leaking joints are cleaned and resealed with commercial-grade gutter sealant. Repair quotes are usually same-day, and every repair is water-tested before we leave. Fixing the gutter first means the guards go back onto a gutter that drains properly.

When to upgrade to Zipco Leaf Shield

If your existing guards keep clogging, sagging or letting debris through, cleaning under them only solves the problem until the next time. Zipco Leaf Shield is the leaf protection we install and stand behind:

• Perforated aluminum panel. Heavy-gauge aluminum with hundreds of precision openings per foot. Water drains through while leaves and needles stay on top.
• Mounts to the gutter, not the roof. It fastens to the gutter itself and is never lifted or slid under your shingles.
• Lifetime no-clog guarantee. The manufacturer guarantees clog-free performance, and we back it up with our installation warranty.
• Cleaning every 2–3 years. Most homeowners go from twice-yearly cleanings to once every 2–3 years.

See our Cleveland leaf protection page for details.

Cleveland homes and older guards

Cleveland's tree-lined suburbs, from Lakewood, Rocky River and Bay Village to Brecksville, Parma and Strongsville, put a lot of leaves on the roof every fall. On homes under mature trees, a guard that isn't working lets the gutter fill up out of sight, right before the season when it needs to drain the most. Before the main leaf drop is a good time to have the gutters under older guards cleaned. When we find older guards on a home in Lakewood, Parma or Strongsville, lifting them, cleaning underneath and re-securing them is part of the same cleaning visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you clean gutters that have screens on them in Lakewood?

Yes. We carefully lift existing guards and screens, clean the gutter underneath, and re-secure them as part of the cleaning.

Why do the gutter covers on my Parma home still overflow?

Some older covers and fine mesh screens let debris build up underneath, or blind over on top so water runs off instead of draining through. A cleaning under the guards clears the gutter. If the guards keep causing trouble, Zipco Leaf Shield is the upgrade.

Does Zipco Leaf Shield need the same cleaning as older guards?

No. With Zipco Leaf Shield, most homeowners go from twice-yearly cleanings to once every 2–3 years.

Get the gutters under your guards cleaned

The Zipco Gutters team cleans gutters, with or without guards, across Greater Cleveland, including Lakewood, Parma, Strongsville, Brecksville and Westlake. Reach out for a free estimate. No pressure.