Gutter Guards
#1
01-01-08, 03:18 PM
Gutter Guards
I'm considering covering my second story height gutters(35') with GUTTER HELMET (northern exposure on Long Island,NY).
I've collected over the years literature from many products and their claims. I've seen Gutter Helmet on houses in the area and noticed NO leaf, or debris acccumulation. I know their pricey. For example Gutter Filter, uses Foam to fill the gutter to the top. Fine but @ $8/ft $300(July'04)is outrageous. I've seen it at a local garden center. Anyone could do this. Foam is cheap even if specially treated. Just cut to the profile and put it in! I like where they claim that:
"debris (that rests on the flat top of gutter) is either washed off, or dries up and blows away."
That said I still think the Gutter Helmet works better.
Now. Hiring someone to clean the gutters now (End of Dec.,no more leaves), and in the late spring will cost me about $50-70 (35' section) each time. I still have to be concerned with snow load on "un-protected" open gutters.
I'm willing to bite the bullet and go for the Helmet, unless someone has some negatives.
I've collected over the years literature from many products and their claims. I've seen Gutter Helmet on houses in the area and noticed NO leaf, or debris acccumulation. I know their pricey. For example Gutter Filter, uses Foam to fill the gutter to the top. Fine but @ $8/ft $300(July'04)is outrageous. I've seen it at a local garden center. Anyone could do this. Foam is cheap even if specially treated. Just cut to the profile and put it in! I like where they claim that:
"debris (that rests on the flat top of gutter) is either washed off, or dries up and blows away."
That said I still think the Gutter Helmet works better.
Now. Hiring someone to clean the gutters now (End of Dec.,no more leaves), and in the late spring will cost me about $50-70 (35' section) each time. I still have to be concerned with snow load on "un-protected" open gutters.
I'm willing to bite the bullet and go for the Helmet, unless someone has some negatives.
Last edited by mattison; 01-03-08 at 04:37 AM. Reason: Removed link.
#2
01-01-08, 04:56 PM
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This is the only product that has worked well for me:
Invisiguard.
One thing to watch about many designs is that at least in my area (Chicago) they encourage stinging insects to nest underneath them, especially after a few years when the installation begins to fail and there are holes in the guards and/or gaps between sections.
I've encountered this many times during home inspections, if you install such guards always use the ladder to give the gutter a mild bump while standing on the ground and watch for warps and hornets - believe me, you do not want to encounter this problem while you are on a ladder, or even worse, on the roof.
Invisiguard.
One thing to watch about many designs is that at least in my area (Chicago) they encourage stinging insects to nest underneath them, especially after a few years when the installation begins to fail and there are holes in the guards and/or gaps between sections.
I've encountered this many times during home inspections, if you install such guards always use the ladder to give the gutter a mild bump while standing on the ground and watch for warps and hornets - believe me, you do not want to encounter this problem while you are on a ladder, or even worse, on the roof.
Last edited by mattison; 01-03-08 at 04:42 AM. Reason: removed commercial sales links.
#3
01-01-08, 08:51 PM
Group Moderator
My parents installed gutter helmet after the old man fell of the roof and broke five ribs and a collar bone cleaning out the old ones. They've held up a year and a half so far and definitely work, as evidenced by the crap on the driveway flowing over the gutters instead of into them.
#4
01-02-08, 07:31 PM
Originally Posted by mitch17
My parents installed gutter helmet after the old man fell of the roof and broke five ribs and a collar bone cleaning out the old ones. They've held up a year and a half so far and definitely work, as evidenced by the crap on the driveway flowing over the gutters instead of into them.
I've seen them used quite a few times and they do a great job of keeping them cleaned
Last edited by mattison; 01-03-08 at 04:40 AM. Reason: Removed personal web site link.
#5
01-03-08, 08:01 AM
Super Moderator
Gutters
Just something else to add fuel...
http://www.askthebuilder.com/541_Gut...rd_Truth.shtml
http://www.askthebuilder.com/692_Gutter_Guard.shtml
http://www.askthebuilder.com/541_Gut...rd_Truth.shtml
http://www.askthebuilder.com/692_Gutter_Guard.shtml
