Gutter Covers

[chim]

I have no experience with covers for rain gutters. There are trees near the house and the leaves end up plugging the downspouts. What have you tried that works well? Thank you.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I have researched this a lot over the years. No matter what kind of system is being discussed, I keep coming across two common themes:

1. Good reviews from people that have had them a short time (a season or two)
2. Bad reviews from people that have had them a few years.

 

[radioman]

i installed quite a few gutter covers. i detests the type that needs to be slid under the shingles. you always run into a few stubborn shingles that wont release. i installed the screen type, the hidden type, the pop in type. the screens that slides under the shingles are great for those who have pine trees nearby. but car needs to be taken when installing so the ends are covered and looks professional. the pop in -- well just dont get them. they always fall out from light winds. my favorite is the hidden screens where it fits perfect inside the gutters and they use screws on front and back to hold them in place. they dont work well with pine needles around but great with lots of leaves. just a angled simple broom on extension pole to swipe them off if the winds dont blow them off works wonders. no need to climb ladders to clean out messy leaves from gutters.

 

[SJay]

My house is also surrounded by trees. Had gutters installed last summer and my installer recommended putting commercial downspouts on. The gutter is residential but the downspouts are commercial (bigger). Works very well

 

[tman1020]

Larger downspouts are the way to go that way anything that does get past the gutter guards can usually just flow right out. The standard ones are just to small. I have had good luck with the plastic covers that Menards sells that has the attached screening. They slide up underneath the shingles and clip to the edge of the gutter. As long as the gutters are installed properly they hold up pretty well. But I don't care what you put on you will still have to clean out around the valley areas occasionally.

 

[JFoy]

Ah gawd, you've get me started on gutters. We have pin oaks surrounding our house and they're a gutter nightmare. The spring tassels (look like pipe cleaners) fall into them and the pin oak leaves are long and narrow. Used to clean the gutters by hand twice a year which was a royal pain. Tried a variety of gutter screens but none have worked thus far. Saw a company that makes a micro-porous mesh that covers the tops so that the water goes through but everything else washes off the top. Great idea but at $10+ a linear foot, they're very expensive (screens only - not the gutters themselves).

The wrap around types with the underside slits sound like a great idea. That's what I have right now. The idea is that the slits are on the underside so the water will follow the curve to the underside where it enters the slit and falls into the gutter. The debris will slid off. Yeah, these are the ones you slip up under the shingle. They don't work either as the tassels follow the curve and clog up the slits or the rain is heavy and still runs off the side of the house and not into the gutter.

Ultimately, the type of foliage on your roof dictates the type of gutter you need but the metal micro-porous ones will work in any situation as far as I know - they're just expensive.

Go to a home builders show and you'll see them.

 

[smstonypoint]

my favorite is the hidden screens where it fits perfect inside the gutters and they use screws on front and back to hold them in place. they dont work well with pine needles around but great with lots of leaves. just a angled simple broom on extension pole to swipe them off if the winds dont blow them off works wonders. no need to climb ladders to clean out messy leaves from gutters.

This is good news -- I had my gutters in SC replaced last winter and chose that screen style. I will soon find out whether my experience matches yours.

Steve

 

[longshot47]

All seem to require some maintenance.
Locust and maple leaves are my problem. I installed the expanded resin mesh type inserts in my high gutters. They are triangular in profile and wedge into the gutter, held in place by the rolled gutter edge. Been up to check them a few times and so far [3/4 years], so good. I suspect that they reduce the gutter capacity a little.. but I'm better than I was without them.
On lower gutters, which feed into underground run-offs, I use the wire basket type which insert into the top of the downspout. Material dams form, but are readily seen and remedied.

 

[msb1766]

I am installing gutter guards on my house and I am using these:Gutter Guards - GutterStuff Foam Inserts - Rainwater Catchment Harvesting Filters

I have alot of pine needles.

 

[k0ua]

I have Elko Gutta Guard. Installed over 10 years ago. Haven't cleaned gutters since. I have oak and cedar. some of the clips have fallen off, but the gutta guards have stayed put. Some people cuss them. but I used to have to clean gutters twice a year, but The gutters still work, the downspouts still run. Knock on wood, but it was a cheap solution for me. About $300 investment and the illegal immigrants that put on my new roof also put on the gutta guards. Yes, I contracted with a local company for the roof replacement. They sent one English speaker, the rest only spoke Spanish. They did a good and quick job.