Replies

1. 
   JMadson | May 12, 2006 06:24pm | #1

   Bigger downspouts!

   “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein

1. 
   bldrbill | May 12, 2006 08:44pm | #2

   I wish it were that simple, I should have made it clearer.  The downspouts are plenty big, the problem is that the slits in the gutter guards get blocked with debris and the water never makes it into the gutters. 

2. 
   bldrbill | May 13, 2006 08:19pm | #3

   Bump--hoping for more responses.

3. 
   MikeHennessy | May 13, 2006 09:48pm | #4

   Everything I have ever seen, read or been told about these things (no matter what brand) is that they are a waste of time & $$$.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

1. 
   Rich | May 13, 2006 10:05pm | #5

   I had a product called gutter helmet installed on my house.  It's basically a curved piece of stock that lets the water get to the gutter but everything else goes over the edge.  That was three years ago, and it has been working great ever since.  It was expensive, but i have a section of gutter that is not accesible from the ground.   After a few close calls climbing on the roof, I decided a lifetime of lost income was a bigger price to pay for clean gutters.

   Its guaranteed for life, they will come out and clean the gutters if they get clogged.

1. 
   bldrbill | May 13, 2006 11:16pm | #6

   Rich, is gutter helmet an add-on to your existing gutters or is it a complete unit?  Also, do you mind telling me approximately what you paid per linear foot.  Thanks,Bill

1. 
   Stuart | May 14, 2006 03:22am | #7

   I have a similar product, mine were made by Leafguard.  It is a one piece deal, the guard is integral with the gutter itself so it's not a DIY project.  They do work very well; I have a LOT of trees around my house, and they've been up for close to three years now with no clogging at all.  Even those little elm tree seeds don't get in there.  I don't have any evergreens, so I can't say how well they work with needles.

1. 
   bldrbill | May 14, 2006 03:34am | #8

   Thanks Stuart--a neighbor of mine also has Leafguard and has had no problems for several years now, so I know that's a good product.  Pretty expensive though, and I need to save a few bucks if I can.  But I'm getting to the age that if I take a fall I'll probably break some bones or worse,  so I'm trying to get something that requires no maintenance.  I may just have to spend the $$.  Bill  

2. 
   Stuart | May 14, 2006 03:56am | #9

   That was my thought as well...when I was in my 20s I didn't think twice about crawling up there to clean out the leaves, but I turn 50 this year and it's not as much fun any more.  I'm either getting lazy or I'm getting smarter.  :-)

2. 
   Rich | May 15, 2006 03:39am | #14

   The gutter helmet was added on to my existing gutters.  It was around $2500 installed for about 150 feet of gutter.

1. 
   bldrbill | May 15, 2006 04:48am | #15

   Thanks for the info Rich.  Bill

4. 
   alwaysoverbudget | May 14, 2006 07:03am | #10

   i have a product called leaf relief made by alcola,works great cost about 4.00 ft installed. the make 2 kinds one is intergrated in to the new gutter and a retro fit for old. the retro works better. i have both so it was a good comparison.larry

   hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.

1. 
   bldrbill | May 14, 2006 05:01pm | #12

   Thanks Larry--I'll see what I can find on leaf relief.

5. 
   BrianHolmes | May 14, 2006 11:06am | #11

   Hi. I've got a product called Gutter Helmet on our house, too. It was installed over the existing gutters. It was installed in Jan. 2000 and it has really worked well. We've got maples, and pin oaks, mostly around our house, and I haven't done anything with the gutters since it was installed. It's a solid piece (no holes or slots) and the water is supposed to curve around the edge into the gutter. It does. However, lately a *little* water has been dripping off because the exposed edge needs cleaning -- it's built up a bit of scum in spots which presumably impedes the flow of water when it goes "upside down". It's the outer edge and should be easy to clean but I just haven't gotten to it yet. Anyway, I've been very happy with it. Not bad for six years of no maintenance.

   In 2000, it cost $1,370 to install on about 90 linear feet of roof on a split-level house, here in Northern Virginia (near D.C.).

   One downside is that you are not supposed to lean a ladder against it.

   I think proper installation is pretty important--the gap and overhang need to be the correct size.

   According to my papers it's made by American Metal Products in Denver, CO. and installed by local dealers. (I have no affiliation with the manufactuer or any dealers!) I'm glad not to be up there cleaning the gutters out any more!

1. 
   bldrbill | May 14, 2006 05:04pm | #13

   Thanks Brian, for the detailed info.  I'll check it out.