Gutter covers?

[Innovate1]

My garage is very close to trees so thinking about gutter covers. Also because they are at 14' cleaning them will be more difficult. The adder for screens about doubled the cost of installing 6" gutters and downspouts. The company said it was because they make the gutters but not the screens. Didn't get the name of the screens but can probably get it from them. Here's a picture of a sample if anyone can identify it.

What do people think of gutter covers in general? Any specific brand recommendations or ones to stay away from?

I could cut the trees back and may remove the ones with branches nearly touching the building. But the trees continue and I will still be catching a lot of leaves.

I know someone who installed rain handlers. Never heard anything more good or bad. They just distribute the rain a bit rather than it falling straight down at the eave.

 

[andyvh1959]

Depending on what type of trees you have, my bet is those holes in the mesh are too big to keep everything out of the gutter, and also big enough to allow leaf stems to get caught and decay in place. Also, that type of screen usually creates a "crown" effect over the gutter.

I live in an area with LOTS of mature maple, oak, ash and other hardwood trees. On my 1/2 acre lot I have over 30 trees, which means lots of leaves, tassels, seed droppings. My house has a three section roof, center gable and a shed style roof at each end. Years ago I installed the gutter filter foam inserts, the type that fill the gutter up to the top, cheap and easy to install. But over time, leaves and debris collect on top of the foam, decay and turn into dirt, and the foam becomes a great seeding bed, resulting in Redneck Gutter Gardens.

Part of the issue is roof slope; a steep pitch roof creates more washing effect as rain water falls off the roof. A low pitch roof tends less to wash the roof when it rains. Big issue is the step down from the shingles to the top of the gutter, about two inches. It forms an area that traps and collects ****. And any type of gutter shield or screen that maintains that step allows debris to collect and requires cleaning or stuff will grow. Also in the winter snow and ice form on top of the frozen foam inserts and can limit any water from melting to drain into the gutter and downspout.

This past fall I installed the 100 mesh stainless steel/aluminum framed screen. This type mounts under the shingle edge of the roof and screws onto the gutter. So the screen is flush to the roof pitch and eliminates the drop area that collects/traps debris. Leaves and twigs slip or wash off the roof right over the screen. The mesh is small enough to keep out leaf stems and even most pine needles. Water easily passes through, debris washes off. Since I installed them last September I don't see anything collecting on top of the screens. My house required 130 lineal feet of screens. Same product a local gutter shop quoted me $3000 to do my house. I did it myself for nearly 1/8th that cost.

I bought the four foot screen sections on ebay. They come in sizes for 5" or 6" gutters. Easy to install. I left the little triangle shape at each end of the gutter open in case i ever need to flush the gutters out.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DIY-5-Stai...s-Rain-Leaf-/323877867839?hash=item4b68a0113f

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I used these and they have been great plus easy to install. www.getleaftek.com

BTW! Fast shipping and great to deal with.

 

[burleyfarm]

I used these and they have been great plus easy to install. www.getleaftek.com

BTW! Fast shipping and great to deal with.

I have this style. Was installed by my gutter company when they did the gutters. Works great. No maple seeds getting stuck or accumulating leaves. [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[road_king]

I used these and they have been great plus easy to install. www.getleaftek.com

BTW! Fast shipping and great to deal with.

Have these as well. Some pine needles make it through them but other than that they seem to work well.

 

[Showkey]

Menards has a complete selection from cheap plastic to stainless at every price point.

https://www.menards.com/main/buildi...er+Cover&Spec_ProductType_facet=Gutter+Filter

Live in a completely wood location.......with all trees all shade.
Mine are oaks and maples. Pine needles are especially hard to control.
I installed Hoover DAM guards from menrards when I replaced the roof they powder coated steel. Previously had aluminum guards that lasted 20 years. Material matters each has it compromises strength, durability, clog resistance. Ice and snow is an important consideration.
^^^^^^^^^
Easy DIY install with stainless self drilling screws. Tin snips Used to cut and trim.

https://www.menards.com/main/buildi...-gutter-cover/6381/p-1545118171101-c-5812.htm


Color is also important.......silver or white guards on bronze gutters or dark roof looks terrible From the street.

Costco has stainless mesh guards.

https://www.costco.com/pumps-draina...d_ntk_cs%3A%22EasyOn+GutterGuard%22|&dept=All

Gutter Guard companies can be expensive !!!!!!!
The built in guards on the gutter are also very expensive. Some Covers in hard rain allow the water flow over the cover defeating the gutter completely.

Not a fan for the foam inserts. Tried in new section.
Not a fan of plastic covers.
Gutter bush system is another option.

 

[rok_hunter]

I bought and installed A-M Gutter Guards from Amazon. American made aluminum guards that went went on almost effortlessly. The only real headaches were corners that had a splash guard, and areas where the gutter itself was slightly out of alignment. Otherwise they clicked right in and installed effortlessly. They "snap" in to the gutter and don't need to be fit/jammed under the roof shingles like other designs I've tried.

Downside is they're only available for 5" and 6" gutters in packages for 50' or 200'. Directions say to use stainless steel screws, but stainless chemically interacts with aluminum and corrodes - bad idea with aluminum guards on aluminum gutters, so I bought some zinc-plated screws to hopefully avoid the corrosion issues for a while.

Naturally since I installed them a month or so ago we've not seen a drop of rain so I can't comment on their functionality, but they were one of the few that were almost universally praised in the Amazon reviews.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Innovate1]

No pine needles to worry about. Oak, maple, etc.

 

[Showkey]

The stainless to aluminum reaction on gutters is minimal*.......compared to rusty screws bleeding and discoloring white gutters. Even the best steel Zinc or plated known to man will absolutely rust !!!!!


*The contact point is so small it’s insignificant.

 

[Flyin Flattie]

Great idea

 

[glentre]

I've tried several types over the years and no particular style works well. With holes too big, leaf litter and debris clog up the gutter. Holes too small keeps leaves and debris out but the smaller particles lay on the top and form a mat that, eventually, water won't go through.

Best solution I've seen is on a friend's house. All his gutters are hinged in the back and are flip down. He stands on the ground with a pole, hooks it on the gutter and flips it down and all the leaves tumble out. If he neglects to do it and there are wet leaves in the gutter, he just swings them down and hoses them out from the ground.

Glen

 

[Lynden]

I had forgotten about hinged gutters. Here's a video.

 

[Innovate1]

Found this comparison of covers.

https://www.thespruce.com/gutter-guards-overview-1822363

Then there is the long curved tube on a shop vac option so you can clean them from the ground. With a remote camera strapped to it so you could see what you are doing that might work pretty well although I can see the leaves being too much for the pipe and frequent lowering to get the excess leaves off the end.

 

[nieuport17]

I used several different types of the years including foam type.
The plastic mash one worked the best for me.
At the end of the day, you still need to go up and clean the gutter. Just less frequent.

 

[CraigStu]

Dang those flip gutters are cool. I hope whoever invented them is living a life of luxury.

 

[Notgrownup]

The hinged gutters are the bomb...wow...I use the cheap plastic gutter covers with screens on them I bought at Lowe’s, they work but they still need to be cleaned yearly or they get clogged

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I had forgotten about hinged gutters. Here's a video.

Cool idea BUT I don’t think these will hold up in the North East with a 6” snowfall and then a heavy load of ice accumulation.

 

[450clown]

If you have a siding or roofing distributor near you, ask for sur-flow. It aluminum, availible in 10 foot lengths there are 2 different types depending on which brackets you have. A stepped typ and a flat type. Also, if you feel like it, use blind rivets rather than zip screws, this way no streaks. But the gutter contractor telling you it's close to double isn't really that far out of line. It definitly adds to the install time. And also be sure to rivet about every 12 inches it does expand and contract and will pop up, if not fastened down close together.
Long time lurker on here, I finally found something I can contribute on! I've learned alot here from all of you guys hope this helps.
Also mastic/Alcoa makes almost identical it's named leaf relief. But is somewhat more than sure flow. Sure flow steppedwhat I have on my house

Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk

 

[slackdaddy1]

You have my attention,, I leave on 20 heavily wooded acrea and struggle with filled gutters.

I also service vacant, foreclosed homes,,, and have never seen a gutter "guard" system that works.

wondering how this works with corners, inside and outside corners??

I had forgotten about hinged gutters. Here's a video.

 

[450clown]

3x4 spouts with a true large sized outlet will also help as some leaves pine needles debris can flow through them. A 2x3 only takes 2 leaves to stop up. And the round outlets are even worse. I've never seen the hinged type.....I feel like I'd wanna have a rain coat on for that lol

Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk

 

[andyvh1959]

Some interesting ideas. But for me, if the screen/guard/shield is not flush to the roof line or shingles, the step or drop down to the gutter top just provides an area where leaves and debris can collect and decay. Eventually that becomes a breeding zone for whatever seeds germinate in the debris.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

IMO you can't do better than Gutter Glove. You can get a pro install or DIY. I have the Icebreaker model with built in gutter deicing. Fantastic. They've been 100% flawless for over 20 years.

https://www.gutterglove.com/learn/?...ter guard comparison&utm_content=Gutter Guard

FYI, NOT the same as Leaf Filter. Leaf Filter is a copycat knock off with a big ad campaign. They also say Gutter Glove voids roof warranties because of the way it installs, when they install the exact same way.


Tommy

 

[450clown]

The picture I put up is after they've been on for about 5 years. You are correct though that's why there is two different types, depending on which straps you have, to keep it up where leaves will dry and blow off. if they are low in the back against the flashing the will hold debris, also if your roof is steep and has inside miters you will have to add a splash guard to keep the water from shooting straight across it in hard downpours. We also try to get everyone to go with 6 inch gutters. The difference in cost is pretty minimal between 5 inch and 6 inch , my metal roof is kind of a bad example to show it but typically the shingles are pretty tight to it on top. Also I took a picture of the low end where the spout is at.

Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk

 

[Showkey]

Fall is not the only issues with gutter covers.......

Spring seed pod drop is also a concern.........the finer mesh may become blocked.

This is not fine mesh and the valley corner gutter is a trap for debris. Appears there no perfect gutter cover that is TRUELY Maintenance Free.

Wooded lot ........This is oak and maple spring debris. Perfectly clean prior to spring arriving.

 

[JOsmund999]

Thoughts on the foam inserts?

My Brother has the at his lake place and they sure look to work well for him.

 

[firebirdparts]

Mine have been great. I just bought whatever plastic stuff they sell at Lowes. I don't think they'll last forever, but they're about 10 years on. I have maples and it's amazing how they can seed a gutter. The seeds pile up on top of the guards but they eventually get gone.

I don't have trees directly over the building dropping leaves right into my gutters. It was really always just the seeds that were built like helicopters.

 

[CraigStu]

We had this house built 2 yrs ago and they installed the simple mesh SS covers. They seem to work very well. I can look out our bedroom window and see the ones on the roof over the front porch about 5 ft away. No problems so far. On our previous house I solved the problem maybe 90% by installing the larger size downspouts. Over the years I had noticed that a lot of the clogs were at the downspout S curve just below the gutter. So, first I cut out the adapter piece on the gutter and installed the larger size. Then I ran the 8ft piece of downspout without any S curves down to the side of the house at it's end. There was enough fudge factor to mate it to the next section which was a normal install parallel to the house. This worked very well as the downspout was large enough for everything except a long twig to travel through.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Perfect timing, having gutters done on my garage in the next few weeks and needed a solution. The ones from Costco look to be the ticket!

 

[yeldogt]

On a traditional house -- 1/2 round gutters look better IMO. Size them correctly w/ 4" round downspouts and the vast majority of stuff just blows out or gets flushed down.

K gutters w/ those sideways rectangle 90's are particularly bad

 

[HPRifleman]

Our house is on 4 acres of oak and hickory trees, many of them overhanging the roof. In October the leaves come down like a wave and cover everything with a thick layer.

We have Gutter Helmet on our gutters.

It functions a little differently than other systems. The cover over the gutter is solid which allows water and leaves to slide to the edge. The water rolls underneath the edge and into the gutter while the leaves keep going over the edge and to the ground. If you look inside the gutters, they are spotless with no leaves.

 

[Jackfre]

My house is overlooked by two 4’ dia. Black walnuts. Amazing how much can come off them. It is code here, due to fire prevention, to have gutter covers. Those pictured are on the back of the house and stay absolutely clean requiring no maintenance. On the front I went cheaper and got cheaper, meaning I have to brush them clean.

 

[Bruce 993 SEA]

The previous owners put Gutter Helmet on the gutters here. It is a solid aluminum section that supposedly lets the leaves flow off of the edge of the gutters and the water holds on and goes into the gutters.

Does not work. Period. And...the water also flowed off of the roof and rotted the deck. Might as well have had no gutters at all. Water just flowed right off and debris still got into the gutters.

I removed them and now the deck side of the house works good.

Now the other side with 20 foot high gutters...still have the gutter helmets. I still have to get up there to remove the helmets, install a proper roof edge flashing and re-hang the gutters.

Kinda wishing I had access to some scaffolding. That side slopes from 8 ft to 20 and is on a slope.

Cheers!

 

[Showkey]

Gutter helmets ( have many copies) and other systems have their merits and problems.
Search YouTube for various options and details. I think it becomes clear there is no perfect system that does both water and debris management under all situations.

The second video has very negative opinion on foam and brushes.

 

[jkeyser14]

Use 6" gutters and 3"x4" downspouts and the leaves and seeds never clog it up, they just flow right through.

 

[budget76]

I would like to put a set on my rental, but the idea of ice dams has scared me away. I still go over 1-2x a year and empty them out instead

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Use 6" gutters and 3"x4" downspouts and the leaves and seeds never clog it up, they just flow right through.

you can come clean mine out!

Not always the case

 

[My Old Tools]

Don't do the screen type ****. They grab and hold everything. Get the slickest metal with holes that you can find. Here's the reviews from my gutter guy....
https://www.thegutterguy.com/Products.html

 

[redmondjp]

Don't do the screen type ****. They grab and hold everything. Get the slickest metal with holes that you can find. Here's the reviews from my gutter guy....
https://www.thegutterguy.com/Products.html

I don't agree with that - I have had Amerimax Home Products plastic snap-on gutter guards from Home Depot on my house for about 12 years now. The plastic screens are now starting to unglue from the plastic so at some point I will replace them with the same product.

No gutter system is zero maintenance. Instead of having to clean my gutters and open clogged downspouts (which I have had to do ZERO times since the covers went on), I now go up on the roof and either broom or blow off the screens a few times a year.

I couldn't be happier with them, especially after Leaf-Guard wanted to charge me $7K then $5K then $4K for their product - that is what initially spurred me into buying these while at the box store while looking for something else. I think it cost me $75 (for the entire house) plus about 4 hours of my time to install them.

Which system you use really depends upon what types of trees you have near your house, how inaccessible your gutters are, and how much you want to spend. My gutters fortunately are very easy to get to from the ground or from the roof. I went with probably the least-expensive option and it is working for me.

 

[andyvh1959]

I've had the fine stainless steel mesh on my house two years now and I can see nothing accumulating on top. I have mature maples, oaks, and ash trees so there is always something to deal with other than the summer months. In the fall the leaves cover everything like a 4" snowfall. In the spring when the maples and oaks blossom I get all variety of seedy things. So far all of it has washed over the screens and not hung up.

Key to that is making sure the screens are flush or just under the bottom edge of the shingles. This is more the issue the less the roof slope. A higher slope tends to wash down faster than a low slope, and leaves that get carried off the shingles just drops over the edge to hang up. Any drop or step from the roof profile to the gutters creates an area for leaves and debris to collect, decompose, turn into dirt and start things growing. This installation looks nice, but in my "neck o' the woods" would just eventually create the debris problem, and eventual cleaning required:

 

[justanengineer]

I’m a fan of the solid covers in the HD link. They work similar to the Gutter Helmets linked above. Leaves, needles, and other **** slides off while water sticks to the rounded edge via surface tension until it hits a slot and enters the gutter. I’ve used these under every variety of tree including pines and fine needle spruce, they never need cleaning. The one downside is that they don’t work on steeper roofs. Over 3/12 pitch the water is flowing so fast that it loses surface tension and flies off the roof rather than dropping into the gutter. These go on sale fairly regularly.

IME otherwise, anything with holes up top will need cleaned eventually unless away from trees, in which case you prob don’t need covers.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerimax-Home-Products-4-ft-White-Solid-Gutter-Cover-85320/100051459


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk