I need help selecting a "gutter guard" product. Do they really work, or do they just slow down the build-up? Which works best? My open gutters get full of debris, but I can easily clean them with a leaf blower. The guard systems have to have openings for water, and it seems like they may trap leaves by their stems, and still let in small leaves, twigs, and - my biggest problem - maple seeds. Once in place, how do you clean the gutters if they still get clogged?

I have had fairly good luck with guards that are 3', arched, expanded aluminum. They have 2 little hinges that clip to the gutter. You can easily flip them up to clean them. I still have to clean them, but maybe twice a year instead of twice a week in the maple season. Most of your home improvement places have them. They are cheap too.