We just got new gutters (larger) last fall, and we were told the same thing. The companies make a lot of money on them, and still recommend cleaning twice a year of so. We're in the Phila. suburbs. So we opted for no gutter guards and will have the gutters cleaned regularly, like we did before.

^^I've been told the same exact thing. Save your money and don't get them.

We have a scary roof (one side has a 3 story drop), so we hire somebody to clean the gutters for us. We're pretty frugal but consider this money well spent.

Even when you have the gutter covers, you still need to get up there and clear off the leaves. They just accumlate on top not dow in.

Thank you all. My concern is not only the overflow, but clogging the French drain. Since hindsight is 20/20, is there a good way to keep debris from clogging the downspouts?

Install cleanout traps on all of the downspouts. We had LeafDrop install the oversized downspouts with wide mouth opening at the gutter and cleanout traps this year and it made a huge difference. I used to have several clogged downspouts each year with several evergreen trees next to the house and have not had an issue after the install. After a heavy rain, I go around the house and check the traps to clean any debris that washed out of the gutters. I still clean the gutters each year but these made the job much easier.