Clogged downspout line, gutter guards
#1
10-16-11, 01:13 PM
Clogged downspout line, gutter guards
I noticed water spewing from downspout joints during a heavy rain and figured something was plugged up. I found that the pvc pipe the downspout goes into was plugged about 3’ underground at an elbow. I cleaned out what I could, but expect to replace the entire underground line (approx. 70’) next spring. Will no doubt need a pro to dig. Meanwhile, I’m considering installing a gutter guard on top of my seamless gutters to keep debris out in the future, but there’s a dent in one place, probably caused by a crashing tree branch, where rain has poured down in the past. I recently wedged in some flashing to block that, but haven’t had a hard rain yet to see how it worked. I’d like to know how to repair the dent in the gutter so I can attach a gutter guard properly. Any suggestions?
#3
10-16-11, 03:26 PM
Member
Fritzy - My gutter guards are home made from galvanized 1/4" hardware cloth. I cut it an inch or so wider than the gutter, bent it into an arch and fit it under the shingles on one side and the gutter lip on the other.
The nice thing is that you can tweak it to fit around any dings in the gutter.
The nice thing is that you can tweak it to fit around any dings in the gutter.
#4
10-17-11, 06:30 AM
Group Moderator
My parents installed gutter helmet several years ago after the old man fell off the roof while cleaning out the gutters. I don't know if they keep everything out of the gutters but you see a lot of debris on the driveway now which used to go down the gutter so I know a lot is being kept out of them.
#5
10-20-11, 07:32 AM
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Location: Rochester, Minnesota
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I have the "Leaf filter" on our gutters and we had it put in two years ago.
We have 5 mature tree in our yard, and 3 of them over hangs the roof. Never got plugged up with anything and nothing goes down into the gutters.
They were almost half the cost as some other gutter type system. and neighbor across the street has the DIY it, and the hold the maple seeds and other stuff.
We have 5 mature tree in our yard, and 3 of them over hangs the roof. Never got plugged up with anything and nothing goes down into the gutters.
They were almost half the cost as some other gutter type system. and neighbor across the street has the DIY it, and the hold the maple seeds and other stuff.
#6
12-18-11, 12:07 PM
Clogged downspout line, gutter guards
Sorry I haven't replied sooner. These responses all are thought-provoking. Two issues come to mind: The gutters are a very heavy-duty type (5") and I doubt that I'd be able to cut them. The flashing I inserted didn't work, so I added a longer and higher section which helped somewhat, but didn't entirely solve the problem, either. It seems I have to resolve that issue before adding guards of any kind, or heavy rain will continue to overflow (wet basement, anyone?). The possibility of replacing a 50' seamless gutter is not very appealing, but might be the only way.
Wayne's galvanized hardware cloth gutter cover idea sounds great, although I wonder what keeps the part under the shingles from slipping in too far and losing the arch. Also, I live in dense, deciduous woods and need to be reasonably sure that wet leaves won't lay on top of the mesh, keeping rain from going into the gutter.
Thank you all so much for your input.
Wayne's galvanized hardware cloth gutter cover idea sounds great, although I wonder what keeps the part under the shingles from slipping in too far and losing the arch. Also, I live in dense, deciduous woods and need to be reasonably sure that wet leaves won't lay on top of the mesh, keeping rain from going into the gutter.
Thank you all so much for your input.
