I saw this foam gutter filter/guard at my local HS and it got me researching and I'm wondering if any of you guys have had success with any of these products? I'm thinking none of them will be as good as getting up on the roof and cleaning the gutter out periodically, but if something works, I want to try it. I've got lots of trees and the gutters fill with fir needles and leaves pretty quick.
Any gutter protection or gutter guards that actually work??
- Thread starter jdewitt
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gemniii
Well-known member
I've had pretty good success with the kind that has small round holes and basically lays on top of the gutter. Success may depend on the type of leaf, I've only red and silver maple littering my roof. I imagine pine/fir needles could get stuck in the holes.
When I was researching this last year, I found that there are variables that can either lead to satisfaction or dissatisfaction with any of the solutions. Namely, the types of debris and expected normal rain volume.
Here in FL, we frequently see very heavy rain, so I chose a gutter guard that allows a relatively large amount of water through it. In other areas, what I chose might get clogged - with Fir needles, for example.
Pretty much all of the reviews for the foam were negative.
Read the reviews that you can find and try to make sure the negatives for whichever product you choose don't match your environment.
Here in FL, we frequently see very heavy rain, so I chose a gutter guard that allows a relatively large amount of water through it. In other areas, what I chose might get clogged - with Fir needles, for example.
Pretty much all of the reviews for the foam were negative.
Read the reviews that you can find and try to make sure the negatives for whichever product you choose don't match your environment.
firebirdparts
Well-known member
I've got whatever I found at the store on everything and it's working fine. Mine are all vinyl. Need to cut down all these darn trees. The main thing fouling my gutters was whirly maple seeds. that is the main thing I am trying to screen.
eagleknight
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2010
- Messages
- 35
I have Gutter Shutter and they do work very well, but were expensive. They use a 6" gutter, which is big. The only complaint is I don't like the clean-outs they installed in the downspouts. The screen traps small debris that does make it down the gutter and then those clogged up. I ended up ripping the screen out of these because I previously installed all 4" PVC drain pipe and it works very well. I don;t think there is any need for these downspout clean-outs if you have good drain pipe..
I used to have to clean out my gutters almost every month because my lot is so wooded with pines gumballs and maples. I would literally see plants growing out of my gutters is I went more than a couple of months without cleaning them. Nothing worked very well until I spent way too much money (so I thought at the time) on Leafguard (www.leafguard.com) gutters. It's been 12 years and I haven't touched my gutters once in that time. So, in hind site, it was a good expense just for what I have saved in effort.
K'ledgeBldr
Well-known member
Overall- screens (or some form there of) seem to do the best "intended job- keeping debris out of the gutter ALONG WITH actually receiving water.
GutterHelmet, and other like products do keep debris out- somewhat. But, if you have anything harder than a mild shower or sprinkle water just shoots right over the gutter and onto the ground.
And with the more severe weather that everyone seems to be experiencing these days I think they don't serve their purpose very well.
GutterHelmet, and other like products do keep debris out- somewhat. But, if you have anything harder than a mild shower or sprinkle water just shoots right over the gutter and onto the ground.
And with the more severe weather that everyone seems to be experiencing these days I think they don't serve their purpose very well.
pattenp
Well-known member
Lots of oak trees here and have tested several kinds of guards and none really work. The pollen and pollen pods create a sluge that just builds up and clogs the gutter. I have given up and just clean the gutters a few times a year.
Lynden
Well-known member
I agree. What I decided to do was to use a guard to keep all of the big stuff out yet was easy to remove when I wanted to clean the gutters. I chose this guard.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerima...nged-Gutter-Guard-Unpainted-85280BX/100002884
I modified each section of the guard by clamping 1.5" of the roof-side edge between two boards and folding under the edge to provide some rigidity. I drilled holes and pop-riveted the clips on each section onto the front edge of the gutter. Now I can flip the guard out of the way when I clean the gutters and easily flip all of the sections back into position when I'm finished.
SweetD
Well-known member
I spend a lot of time cleaning out my gutters also. One day in Costco, I stopped to look at the stainless steel micromesh gutter guard they were selling. This woman, who was shopping, told me not to buy it. She said that she spent a lot of money to have gutter guards installed (wasn't clear what brand) and, while they kept debris out, water just bypassed the gutter and flowed over the sides of the house. She paid more to have them removed.
I've since decided it may be best to continue to clean them out when needed until I hear very strong recommendations for a product that will work with pine needles, holly and broad leaves. I even had a roofing salesman who raved about the gutter guards they installed tell me that they wouldn't work well on my house.
I've since decided it may be best to continue to clean them out when needed until I hear very strong recommendations for a product that will work with pine needles, holly and broad leaves. I even had a roofing salesman who raved about the gutter guards they installed tell me that they wouldn't work well on my house.
orangeblood
Well-known member
whatever product you go with....select 6" vs 5" gutters...the ability to move debris is dramatically improved. All of the leaf screen / guard protection systems will ultimately allow some debris (leaf, shingle sand, pollen, etc.) to get into the gutters. A bigger gutter enables that stuff to flow and out the downspouts.
PassnThru
Well-known member
oledude1952
Well-known member
I hope your boat never develops a leak
I have put these on our present home and the home we had before. I really like them. They are 36 in. long x 6 " wide all aluminum that I bought from an Aluminum products/siding warehouse.
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Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I have Leafguard gutters as well, and they work great for me. No cleaning required, and water doesn't shoot over the top like others have suggested.
Buckaroo5
Well-known member
I purchased and installed some of those micromesh gutter guards from Costco last summer. I installed with the provided screws rather than the adhesive strip that they also come fitted with. They have worked well so far and don't shed too much water in heavy rain. I do think that using the screws to insure rigid alignment with the front edge of the gutter and bending a very slight valley in the screen reduces the shedding.
https://www.costco.com/EasyOn-Gutterguard-6”-Version-–-24’.product.100217319.html
Buckaroo
https://www.costco.com/EasyOn-Gutterguard-6”-Version-–-24’.product.100217319.html
Buckaroo
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So now the water also goes thru those same holes? Might as well take your gutters down!
CraigStu
Well-known member
We are in the last month of a new house build. I asked my builder about this and he says on his house he has the ones Lynden linked to and his happy. He gave me 3 options and for once, these are the least expensive.
vwracer
Well-known member
I tried the foam gutter guards, don't waste your money. I replaced them after 2 years!
The brown vinyl gutter from HD is maybe good for two yrs at high altitude. It has no UV inhibitors and disintegrates to brittle ****. Same for all the components of this system. No experience w/ the white, but typically high UV resistance is a black product.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
The foam things are disaster in the making. they hold dirt and stuff grows out if them. You're better off putting sod on your gutters. I have the Gutter Glove Icebreaker system and it's fantastic. They make a DIY version you can order through Home Depot.
https://www.gutterglove.com/
Tommy
https://www.gutterglove.com/
Tommy
xyster101
Well-known member
+1 for the micro mesh SS stuff. I live in the woods with leaves, pine needles, and pine cones. The mesh works very well. One disadvantage for me is the white pine needles are 4" long and lay on the mesh if there is not a hard rain. The water can run along the needle and go over the edge of the gutter, so the gutters drip a little with light rain. Good news is they give you a free broom handle brush that you can use to brush the guards off every few months.
Easy to install, keeps out pine needles, works with high rains, does require brushing off every few months.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gutter-...cro-Mesh-Gutter-Guard-20-Pack-THD80/300276095
Easy to install, keeps out pine needles, works with high rains, does require brushing off every few months.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gutter-...cro-Mesh-Gutter-Guard-20-Pack-THD80/300276095
Good to know that you both like Gutterglove. Looks like they have 3 products. Is one better than the others? I can't find anything on their Icebreaker system. Is their pro and DIY line micromesh the same product? Looks like that is what Costco carries. Any corrosion problems using a stainless steel gutter guard on aluminum gutters?
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
I had a 40' Blue Spruce less than 10' from the house and never had any pine needle problems with my Gutter Glove system. Granted, Blue Spruce needles are smaller than pine needles. Mine are at least 10 years old and there have been no corrosion issues. The entire frame and all the parts that touch the gutter are extruded aluminum.
Tommy
Tommy
bas157
Well-known member
I have the super fine stainless steel screen style. Can't remember the brand as it was over 15 years ago I had them installed. They work good for me. When there is freezing rain or snow, they ice over pretty easily.
Only time my gutters clogged on me was when I had a new roof put on the house and the company left lots of roofing debris in the gutter before putting the guards back on....obviously not the guard's fault.
I would recommend that style. Not sure how the DIY ones from Costco compare to what I've got.
Only time my gutters clogged on me was when I had a new roof put on the house and the company left lots of roofing debris in the gutter before putting the guards back on....obviously not the guard's fault.
I would recommend that style. Not sure how the DIY ones from Costco compare to what I've got.
I have these as well and I have oak trees that drop leave, acorns and small trigs onto the roof. the big stuff accumulates sometimes and I gotta go and clean it up.
And thats when I always cut the **** out of my hand from the sharp as schitt wire pokey ends always bite me
machsnell
Well-known member
That gutterglove system is what I am getting. Costco is the cheapest but called something different. Easy-on.
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