Summary

Sometimes a gutter gets so full that plants start to grow in it. That's what we found at this South Merrick home, and these gutters had screens on them.

The homeowner had the screens installed years ago and, like a lot of people, was under the impression she'd never need to think about her gutters again. It's an easy assumption to make when screens are sold as a set-it-and-forget-it solution and come with a real price tag. But nobody had checked under them since the day they went in.

Unfortunately, some of the toughest cleanings we see are on homes just like this one. Debris still finds its way in through and around the screens, and with nobody looking, it keeps building up out of sight. By the time we arrived, years of leaves and debris had taken over the system.

What We Did

To clean these gutters properly, we had to permanently remove the screens. From there, we cleared out the thick, overgrown buildup by hand, bagged and removed all the waste, and flushed every downspout to make sure water was flowing freely again. The gutters went from clogged and overgrown to clean and ready for the next rain.

Our Take on Gutter Screens

Screens are a good product, and in the right spots they really help. But they'll only buy you time; they don't eliminate maintenance. We recommend having screened gutters checked once a year in the late spring. A quick inspection can catch buildup before it turns into overflow, water damage, or a job like this one.

Have Screens? When Was the Last Time Someone Looked Under Them?

If you can't remember, it's probably time. Call us at (516) 431-0799 or text (516) 261-6895. Above All Gutters is family-owned and has served Long Island, NYC and Westchester for over 30 years.

The Work

Removed all gutter screens and cleared out heavy buildup, including mature weeds and packed leaves
Collected the debris in plastic bags for garbage pickup
Flushed and blew out downspouts to restore proper drainage
Documented the work with before and after photos

The Outcome

The gutters and downspouts are now clear and able to move water away from the house as intended. This helps protect the property from leaks and overflow, and gives the homeowner a fresh start for regular maintenance.

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Plants Growing in the Gutters, Under the Screens

October, 2026 | South Merrick, New York

Project Overview

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