Fine seed, dirt and shingle grit
A fine mesh like MicroMax is the one built to block it.

A guard sits under the first course of shingles and fastens to the front lip of the gutter, pitched so debris blows off. We install All Mesh Pro (stainless steel micro-mesh with multi-point mounting), Klean Gutter (angled design, interlocking panels), MicroMax (fine mesh against pine needles, dirt and shingle grit) and the CopperCare micromesh filter.
The right one depends on your roof edge and what falls on it. That is decided at the estimate, not from a catalog.
A house built in 1975 is past 50, and a gutter hung with it has had a long life. A guard fastens to the front lip, so the lip has to be straight, sound and pitched.
If it is, a guard is a good upgrade. If it is not, replacement comes first, and we say so.

Gutter protection services in St. Clair County, Illinois help older suburban homes break the cycle of repeated overflow and downspout blockage that unguarded gutters create in this established neighborhood environment. Guards that block debris before it enters the channel make a lasting difference.
Gutter protection across St. Clair County is a practical upgrade for the older suburban homes where established hardwoods and mature ornamentals shed heavily into narrow sectional gutters that were never designed for decades of heavy, continuous use. The Gutter Guys evaluate your debris load, roof pitch, and gutter condition before recommending the right guard system for your property. When debris stays out, downspouts stay clear, overflow stops, and your older St. Clair County home is protected through every season without constant manual intervention.
Each of the three types does a different job.
The leaf filter style, built for fine debris. See leaf filter gutter protection.
Hold whole leaves above the channel. See leaf guards.
A solid cover that sheds debris off the edge. See gutter covers.
With 43.36 inches of precipitation and 11.2 inches of snow a year, the guard has to pass water and block debris. Micro mesh gutter guards in St. Clair County block the fine stuff, and leaf guards hold whole leaves.
A fine mesh like MicroMax is the one built to block it.
A leaf guard or a cover keeps them above the channel.
Micro-mesh handles both, and we walk through the choice with you.
A guard recommendation needs these answers.
Every service we offer here, plus local details, is on our St. Clair County gutter page.
They cleaned my gutters and installed leaf guards, I waited for a good rain and checked the flow and everything looks great. Highly recommended.
Experience was exceptional. Nathan explained the whole process, from the initial estimate through the installation. He didn’t try to sell a bunch of extras or talk over my head. He used concise layman’s terminology. The installation (even with rain delays). Went well. Truly an excellent experience that didn’t cost the church its foundation. Thank you for your work
The Gutter Guys did a great job installing my new gutters. Nathan is a great guy, personable and professional. The price was very competitive, and the job was done on schedule. The Guys are detail oriented, excellent fit and finish. My house looks great! Highly recommended!
It keeps debris out of the channel, so water reaches the downspout instead of spilling over the front. A guard does not replace an occasional check, because fine grit can still settle over time, but it cuts what builds up between visits.
A leaf guard handles whole leaves well. If your roof also sheds fine seed, dirt or shingle grit, micro-mesh is the better fit, and we look at the roof before we say which.
A cover fastens to the gutter, so the gutter must be sound and pitched. If it is rusted or sagging, replacement comes first, and the cover goes on the new run.
A leaf filter is the micro-mesh type of guard, a fine screen under the first course of shingles that is built for seed, dirt and shingle grit. It is one of three types we install, alongside leaf guards and covers.
The Gutter Guys is a full-service gutter company operating in Kansas City and surrounding areas. We take pride in helping our community enjoy their homes while protecting them from unexpected weather damage. Contact us today for your estimate.
(866) 931-8441Monday to Thursday 8AM to 7PM · Friday 8AM to 5PM · Saturday 8AM to 3PM
Get your free quote
Tell us about your home. We reply fast, and there is never any pressure.