Gutter guards?

[617fan]

The only guard that actually works IMO is this "gutter stuff" which we had installed a few years ago. It really works. At first I thought that it might slow down the flow of water but it doesn't. Not one leaf gets through. Although we had it installed when we replaced our gutters, Costco does sell it as a do-it-yourself package - a little expensive, but worth it!

Costco - GutterStuff® Self-installed Gutter Filter

I was also intrigued by this but hestitated because I feared the large white oaks surronding my house drop alot of "flowers" in the spring that clog up my gutter guards. I was afraid that stuff would stick in the foam and I would have stuff sprouting in the gutters. I love the shade but trees sure can be a PITA.

 

[chief38]

I had gutter guards installed about a year ago, and I have to say I am a bit disappointed to say the least. It does keep the leaves out, but now I get thousands of the "pug-noses" stuck in there which are actually harder to clean out then the leaves. I also find tiny little Oak trees growing inside the gutter now. IMHO, they are not worth the price of admission. Use the money and buy a good gas powered leaf blower with an attachment used for cleaning out the leaves from the gutter. You will be a lot better off in the long run!

chief38

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Our Florida house had to have a new roof to continue to be insured.
After new roof we had new seamless gutters ($1000.00) and the gutter guards were $500.00. The gutter guards were well worth the money as my Wife wouldn't let me climb a ladder with a blower. After our five Sons and one Daughter moved away we had to hire it done when we could find someone. I highly recommend gutter guards.
Jimmy

 

[jframe]

The neighbor across the street from where I live with my Dad has them, and I studied them some the other day. I can't help but think that it would create an even BIGGER pain in the ass to clean out the gutter guards. Dad doesn't have this problem; he flat REFUSES to have a single tree in the yard, lest his Bermuda grass be disturbed by shade.

 

[pilgrim6a]

A friend sells Gutter Helmet. It's pricey, but it works. The warn. is for the life of the house and transfers to the new owner. If it ever needs it, GH will come out and clean free!
I know several people that have these. No complaints. We have LOTS of leaves up here and pine trees (they're worse).
It is pricey, but you should look into it, IMO.

 

[goldenlight]

I just bought the aluminum mesh 'strips' and installed it myself.

It was a job to put in, and I sure cut my hands up, but I don't have to clean gutters anymore.

I can't even remember the cost; way less than $100 about 11 years ago.

I had one screw back out, and a short section sort of collapsed into the gutter. Easily fixed. I check it in the spring and fall, and so far, that's all I've had to fix.

I expect to have to do a but of maintenance on it from time to time, but it was cheap to buy and install, and saves me a LOT of work cleaning gutters.

I know there are patented 'systems' with all kinds of warranties, but it's EXPENSIVE!

 

[Joebklyn]

I use a 20' long piece of copper tubing (same type as used for fridge water/ice maker)connected to a valve that has a qwik connect to my air compressor, the tip of the tubing was squished while a small nail was inside it. Now all i need to do is bend the tube and walk along the gutters. EVERYTHING gets blasted out. No ladders too! Gutter guards are great. But you do have to clean the gutters at least once a year.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I'm tired of climbing a ladder to clean out the gutters. Anyone care to comment on gutter guards? Do they really work? Some better than others? Can I install them myself? Thanks!

You clean your own gutters? You have just vaulted into the top 5 of my "Next wife" list .
The official rankings will be released next week

 

[SWMod10]

I had gutter guards installed for $400.

In my neck of the woods-literally-they are a must.

 

[handejector]

Gutter guards?

I see a lot of copper theft on the news in these hard times.
So, now they're stealing gutters?
Whoda thunk it?
Is it cost effective to hire a guard?

 

[ohiobuckeye]

I haven't seen any guards that work well. They will all keep nice dry fluffy leaves from collecting in the gutters but the leaves already on the upper parts of the roof will get wet when it rains and still slither past the slotted guard type and will stick and clog the screen type guards. My home is surrounded by tall trees and even if the roof and gutters are clean, the fall rains knock down bushels of wet leaves to wash into the gutters. When the rain runoff flow is just right, the wet leaves will lay flat on the roof and ride a thin sheet of water that follows the contours of the guards and follow the water flow through the slots...not all, but enough to be a pain in he butt. It's much easier to clean the gutters without the guards and Barb C is right...the leaf blower is the only way to go....cleans the entire gutter system in just a few minutes.

 

[JcMack]

The narrow slit left for rain water to enter, looks like it would be easy to freeze over in the winter. So a long row of pretty icicles hanging from the gutters all winter?

 

[truckemup97]

Misty, you might want to look at gutterbrush.com . Most of the "over the top" guards cause as many problems as the solve, and are extremely expensive. The gutter brush can be easily removed, shaken to clean, and replaced. That shouldn't be necessary if you only have leaves, but if you have pine needles, I'm not sure anything would work well.

 

[gunlovingirl]

I appreciate all the responses. I'm a little hesitant now about spending the money for them. Unless I try the cheaper do it yourself type. If it were just a matter of getting on the ladder once or twice a year, it would be ok. But this dirty tree drops leaves for a good 2 months. And I'm not getting any younger, or healthier. Whatever happened to the young men who would go door to door, offering to mow your lawn, shovel snow and such for a few bucks? I guess they're all too busy with video games and running the streets to bother with earning some "honest" money.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

It might be cheaper to have that tree taken out. If it is in the way of power lines NES might take it out for nothing. When I lived in Nashville they removed a tree for me at no cost, but that was several years ago. Don

 

[JcMack]

Whatever happened to the young men who would go door to door, offering to mow your lawn, shovel snow and such for a few bucks? I guess they're all too busy with video games and running the streets to bother with earning some "honest" money.

You could try putting a card up in a grocery/feed store/tractor supply. Like "needed small yard work" or some such. I gotta assume the economy is the same there as here. "Handymen" are everywhere. I would not trust any work in the house to any of these guys, without some references. If they want to clean gutters or snow blow for a few bucks, it's good with me.

 

[gunlovingirl]

It might be cheaper to have that tree taken out. If it is in the way of power lines NES might take it out for nothing. When I lived in Nashville they removed a tree for me at no cost, but that was several years ago. Don

I'm not sure if it would be cheaper, but it sure would get rid of a constant mess. I do plan on getting a couple estimates on taking it out. The power lines are on the other side of the street.

 

[slowburninsteve]

The vinyl ones in a roll are garbage! The weight of wet leaves will cause them to collapse and then you have a real mess. I tried that first, then bought the aluminum snap on kind at Lowes. As I recall they are each about 16 inches long. I measured from one end of the house to the other, divided by how long they were, and bought enough to do both sides of my old house. I invested less than $100 (that was about 18 years ago, so I'm sure they are more now) and it was the best investment I have ever made. I would check the gutters about once a year afterwards and never found more than a handful of small stuff. Prior to that I would get massive amounts of leaves out of the gutters. Putting them on was relatively easy. I got up on the roof and had someone hand the guards up to me. They were easy to snap on with the attached metal clips, then you just folded them over. They were heavy enough that the wind did not move them.
Steve

 

[goldenlight]

What?! That is.. outrageous.

I use Amerimax gutter guards I bought from Home Depot. If you go to the Home Depot web site and search for "Amerimax 6 in X 3ft" you'll find the ones I use. They have a 25 pack for $45 in stores, and a 5 pack for $8 which you can order online (at least with my store settings).

I've had these on my house for 5 years. They were easy to install. I haven't cleaned them in 2 years.. and as you can see they are clean.. except for the little gritty pieces of shingles. They keep everything else out.

Based on my personal experience, I highly recommend them.

This is what I have too; attached them with sheet metal screws, 10 or 11 years ago. Haven't cleaned gutters since.

I put them up in less than a day, easy. Rechargeable drill and screwdriver, tin snips to cut to length.

Low tech, but they work just fine.