Gutter guard or no?

Question

What are the thoughts regarding gutter guards? We are having 6' gutters installed on two buildings- one is single story and the other is 2-story. Not much build up in fall leaves but we do get the little *helicopter seeds* from some maple trees.

Linda Thompson · Answer

We have tried different methods over the years that left us with drains still getting clogged. Tried the 'gutter guards' about 3 years ago and the have done a very good job, so far, no complaints.

Cindie Taylor-pamula · Answer

We have the foam type of guard ,that fits right in the gutter cavity . Love it, never had a problem. No nest built, leaves and such just blow away. in 6 years never had to clean or sweep it. Solved problem, even my son bought for his house & he has large maple ,elm, trees ..lots of leaves. he loves it.

Marilee H · Answer

We use one that combines a large & small screen type, not the usual 'gutter guard' that lets the water run over a lip. That one doesn't work, but we love the type we use.

Debbie · Answer

I've never heard of the foam type. Where did you get them?

512181 · Answer

I have seen the foam type at Costco. They may be seasonal. You could ask customer service. I have heard in really hard rain storms, the roof water sheets over the foam instead of falling through the foam and down the spouts. I have heard that the same can happen with the gutter helmets. They are especially troublesome where there is a lot of roof water coming into a small gutter. My sister had to remove a gutter helmet in that situation.

JHayes · Answer

I didn't get gutter guards but I did get screens. It was a nightmare because I have maple and sycamore trees in my and my neighbor's yard so those winged seeds still penetrated the screens and resulted in eventual clogged drains. Unfortunately with the screens on I couldn't get anyone to clean them for me. I would not recommend screens at all. I also do a search of the efficiency of gutter guards. I am sure there is lots out there regarding their efficiency but here's a start. http://household-tips.thefuntimesguide.com/2012/05/gutter-guards.php

Maggierose · Answer

Are you talking about the professionally installed guards that curve under so the water is directed into the gutter and leaves cannot get in? I have had those on my last two homes and they have been great...I have lived under coastal oak trees that continually drop leaves and acorns and now under sycamores and pines that drop all year long. All I ever do is blast some water through them in the summer time, they work very well.

Sherry Fram · Answer

We have screens over ours and they are great at keeping the leaves and stuff out. We rarely have clogs in ours. We had them installed over 15 years ago.

Patricia Miller-Darrow · Answer

We paid for the gutter guards, only to have the leaves pile up anyway, AND the small debri fall through anyway, so to clear the clog we had to then go through the trouble of removing guard to get to the mess anyway, so for us it was a huge waste of money. But we did have the screen type.

Pat Zagami · Answer

We put gutter guards from Improvement.com, they have worked great. We live in the foothills of the Sierra Mt. and get alot of pine needles, have not had any back up. These gutter guards will not break the bank.

Cindie Taylor-pamula · Answer

during big rains we never had over flow problem, not anymore than with using nothing

Susan · Answer

The best way to maintain your gutters is by leaving them open and clean on a regular basis.  No matter what tupe of cover you put on you will still get some debris in there.  The same way water gets in, so will some roof dirt tree seeds and you can end up with a plant growing in there.  Aluminum mesh screening may be of some help but never plastic and with screens you want to be sure they can lift easily to clean under. Screens can keep large debris from entering but will still get small debris plus the screens will collapse overtime from weather and weight. Go to www.nedstevens.com, choose the W icon for their blog and you can see photos of what many who thought they have great gutter guards actually ended up with.

Tom Kahn · Answer

Here is a great blog about how gutter guards can protect you from water damage. http://www.guttersandguardsvamd.com/gutter-guards-protect-homes-from-costly-water-damage-2/

Gutter guard or no?

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