I second the mesh screen suggestion—it's a real lifesaver. I've had my fair share of weekends wasted pulling soggy leaves out of diverters.
"those filters can clog faster than you'd think"
True, but you can mitigate that by installing a larger sediment filter housing. A bigger one means fewer cleanings overall. Sure, it's a bit pricier upfront, but trust me, your future self (and your Saturdays...) will thank you for it.
Good call on the bigger sediment filter—definitely saves headaches. Couple other quick tips from experience:
- Angle your mesh screens slightly so leaves slide off easier.
- Check your gutters regularly...found a tennis ball up there once, still no clue how it got there.
Haha, tennis ball in the gutters—I feel your pain. Found a frisbee up there once after a windy weekend... neighbors must've had one heck of a throw. Good tip on angling the mesh, hadn't thought of that. One thing I'd add—if you're looking to save some cash, repurposed food-grade barrels work great as collection tanks. Got mine cheap from a local bakery; smelled like vanilla frosting for weeks, but hey, beats plastic smell any day.
Food-grade barrels are decent, but honestly, vanilla frosting smell aside, they're not always ideal. Had one myself, and the plastic walls were a bit thin—started bulging after a heavy storm. Ended up switching to one of those thicker blue drums from a car wash. Needed a good rinse, but sturdier overall. Just something to consider before you commit...
I've used food-grade barrels for years without any bulging issues, even through some nasty storms. Maybe you just got unlucky with a thinner one? Still, those car wash drums sound interesting—might check them out next time I expand my setup.