I've thought about doubling up too, but honestly, it might just create more spots for debris to get stuck. My neighbor tried gutter guards over mesh screens and ended up with a mini compost pile forming on top—especially with pine needles. He said cleaning became even more of a hassle because he had to remove both layers to clear it out.
I ended up ditching the mesh altogether and went with a foam insert type guard. It's not perfect, but it lets water through easily and needles don't seem to stick as much. Still have to brush it off occasionally, but no more soggy weekends spent climbing ladders...
Totally agree about the foam inserts—I switched to them last spring and haven't looked back. Mesh screens always seemed like they'd work great in theory, but in practice they clog way too easily, especially with smaller debris. One thing I've noticed though: foam inserts still need a quick rinse every now and then, especially if your roof gets a lot of pollen buildup. Still beats hauling out the ladder every stormy weekend...
"foam inserts still need a quick rinse every now and then, especially if your roof gets a lot of pollen buildup."
Good point about pollen buildup—often overlooked. I'd also recommend installing a simple first-flush diverter; it significantly reduces sediment and pollen entering your storage tank, making maintenance even easier.
Pollen buildup is definitely one of those sneaky issues that can catch you off guard. Last spring, I thought I'd set up my rain harvesting system perfectly—filters, diverters, the whole nine yards. But after a couple months, I noticed the water flow slowing down significantly. Climbed up to check and found my foam inserts looking like they'd been dipped in mustard powder... pollen everywhere.
The first-flush diverter suggestion is spot-on; it really helps cut down on maintenance headaches. But even with one installed, don't underestimate how quickly pollen can accumulate during peak season. A quick rinse every few weeks during heavy pollen periods makes a huge difference. Trust me, it's way easier than dealing with clogged filters or sediment-filled tanks later on.
Also, keep an eye out for leaves and debris—sometimes they sneak past even the best diverters. Learned that lesson the hard way when I found a small branch lodged in my downspout after a storm... fun times!
Had a similar issue last year—thought I'd save money by skipping the first-flush diverter. Big mistake... pollen and debris clogged everything within weeks. Ended up installing one anyway, lesson learned. Regular checks during peak pollen season are definitely worth the effort.