Totally agree on the mesh screen issue—mine clogged constantly, especially in autumn with all the leaves. I ended up switching to a ready-made diverter and haven't looked back since. One thing I'd add though: if you do go DIY, consider using UV-resistant materials or painting your buckets/screens to protect from sun damage. Learned that the hard way when my first plastic bucket got brittle and cracked after just one summer...
Had the same UV issue with my first DIY setup—thought I'd save a few bucks using some old buckets from the garage, and they practically disintegrated after a year in direct sunlight. Lesson learned: UV-resistant plastics or a good coat of outdoor paint is your friend. Also, about the mesh clogging... I ended up rigging mine at a steeper angle, and it helped leaves slide off easier. Still switched to a diverter eventually, but it bought me some extra time between cleanings.
Good point about the steeper angle on the mesh—I had similar clogging headaches with mine at first. I also tried angling it more steeply, and it definitely helped me stretch out the time between cleanings. Eventually though, I went a step further and built a simple pre-filter out of a larger mesh screen box (used some leftover window screen material). Basically, water passes through this bigger screen first, letting most of the leaves and debris slide off or collect in one easy-to-reach spot. Then the finer mesh underneath stays cleaner longer.
As for the UV issue, I learned the hard way too. Thought regular plastic storage bins would be perfect, and they cracked like potato chips after a year outside. Ended up upgrading to UV-resistant barrels and haven't had a problem since. But if you're still looking to save some money, painting your containers with a good outdoor-rated spray paint works surprisingly well—just make sure you prep the surface properly first (sand lightly and clean thoroughly). Otherwise, the paint starts peeling pretty quick. Good luck!
I had a similar issue with mesh clogging initially, and angling did help somewhat. However, I found that using window screen material as a pre-filter didn't hold up well in my area—too many pine needles puncturing through. Eventually, I switched to a sturdier metal hardware cloth as the first barrier, and that's been much more reliable. Also, good call on UV protection—I've seen plenty of cracked bins over the years. Painting helps, but honestly, investing in UV-resistant barrels upfront saves headaches down the road...
"Eventually, I switched to a sturdier metal hardware cloth as the first barrier, and that's been much more reliable."
Interesting approach with the hardware cloth—makes sense given your pine needle issue. I've had decent luck with aluminum gutter guards myself, since they're sturdy enough to handle debris without sagging or puncturing. Curious though, have you noticed any rust issues with the metal cloth over time? I agree completely on UV-resistant barrels; learned that lesson the hard way after replacing cracked bins twice...
