I am looking at putting about 78 ft of gutter with 11 ft drop on my house. Yours is the best explanation of the various types and what type of gutter I should get. Thank you.
My HOA is looking to make a deal with Gutter Guard and I've been telling them that over a 20 year period it would be more cost effective to pay someone to clean the gutters once or twice a year. Thanks so much for this.
I installed my aluminum perforated gutter guards shortly after seeing this video. The biggest "take-away" was the fact that no gutter guard is 100% guaranteed to never need maintenance, so choose one that needs LESS maintenance than others. Because maintenance is a "MUST", I installed my gutter guards so I could work "smarter", not "harder". I decided to put a 6" panel over the downspout for easy access to any clogged debris/sludge. I also put a 6" panel at the "high" end (farthest away from the downspout) for easy access to insert a straight jet nozzle on my garden hose. NOW, in a couple years when the small debris/shingle grit needs to be cleaned out, I will simply have to remove two screws from each 6" panel and wash it out. The 6" panels are so much easier to remove/reinstall than the full size 4' ones, and there is less wear-and-tear on the shingles. Thanks for the video, great information for sure.
@@diegudr If you're climbing your ladder once or twice a year to clean em out, but I'm climbing a ladder once every 4 or 5 years, well, , , , , ,,I WIN!! 😁
As a guy who's been in this business for over 40 years and owned a Grover 5" gutter machine for many years, I appreciate your advice. Love the color of your trucks and vans. Must bring in the business big-time. Keep up the good work.
I like the idea of helping my gutters flow better. I have lots of trees and a big gutter cleanup at least twice a year. I’m ok with perforated aluminum but they need to be easy to remove for maintenance.
Several years ago I came home and found that the gutter across the front of my house had fallen to the ground! I started searching and talking to the limited number of people who were in the business at the time. I decided on Leaf Guard. One whole piece manufactured on my property. I did ask the installer how they would clean them out in a couple of years and his answer was "we have a special tool that fits into the space". So great. We do get torrential rains in NC. and that is the only time water is seen shooting over the gutter. Now it is time to clean them out. HA! I have called, gone online, and it's funny the only company that responds is Leaf Filter. Well with all the companies out there, I know all they want is to put in their own gutters. Going to the BBB with a complaint, no one from Lead Guard has responded to any calls that I have made. Guess their MO is to take advantage of single, older, ladies! NOT A GOOD LOOK.
Thanks for the video, after couple hours of research, I determine gutter guards are not a good investment. It still clogs with the guard, still need cleaning and it would be difficult, there will be additional weight on your roof. And gutter guards are not designed for winter, there will be ice accumulated with the guards, adding even more weight on your roof.
Exactly! I'm finding after doing much research it's just best to leave out the gutter guards altogether since they still need to be cleaned. I'd rather hire someone once or twice a year to clean out my gutters.
And falling crab apples, ice sheets and the worst - falling walnuts! Mine fall hard from 75 feet up right above the house. Only the RAINDROP black plastic had been tough enough to take repeated beatings without damage or collapse. The thick black plastic gets warm in full sun and melts snow and ice. It's not a screen so some debris gets through. But who cares? Anything that small washes right down the drain pipe!
Hi!he gutter systems that use a ddd What about the gutter designs that use an oblong funnel opening from the gutter, about as wide as the gutter, allowing a smooth transition to the downspout, which would preferabley be about the sixe of the gutter.Guttere funnels are available online. With a far less restriction, there would be far better flow, and may need only a flushing with a a hose. A J-shaped end, connected to a metal tube, to allow flushing from the ground, of a hose would allow control of the flushing. This, too is available online. Dave L.
As a contractor working on condominium townhouse complexes full-time I have encountered a common gripe. Since the installation of perforated or micro aluminum gutter guards, during rain, and during mild weather when the window is open, there is this constant drumming sound coming from the newly installed gutter guard it is only screwed in at certain centers. This constant drumming sound drives many people insane and was not mentioned by the contractor prior to installation who was only looking for a sale, or possibly never considered this reality. So buyer beware, is something like the sound of a drumming coming from your trough nonstop during a rainy day or night bothers you, you might want to rethink gutter guards, or at least know what to expect.
Good video, thanks. Sounds like the best investment is to spend $1200 to take down the damn maple tree that the previous owner let grow like a weed on the north side of the house (no shade benefit). Then just get on a ladder every month or so and check the downspout openings.
At least you own the tree and not your neighbor up wind ffs. I dropped 22 giant firs on my property but my fkn neighbor's the issue. Just the mess of cone remnants from the squirrels gets blown all over my roof in the heavy winds, it's insane. GG's are going to work great at my place
This is helpful information. I was telling my husband that I wanted gutter guards, and he kept on just not responding. Now I can understand WHY he doesn’t like them. We have had very very heavy rains resulting in a wet basement. If we get the aluminum perforated type gutter guards, I know we’ll still have to clean our gutters regularly.
Might help us all to see a video on how to take the gutter guard off to clean out the small dirt/etc inside the gutter then replace the guard. Can sections be removed easily? How are these sections held in place, etc. I currently clean out my gutters three to four times a year with a leaf blower, so as long as I'm careful with a sturdy ladder no issue but getting older so was looking for an easier way. Maybe hiring neighbor's kid down the street will work best for me in another couple years, $20 an hour works for me. Thanks for your video.
MY husband has been in the gutter business for decades and, like you, has seen a TON OF JUNK PRODUCTS. You are correct about the hood style being the WORST. You just can't clean them. Total waste of money, and wow, BIG money at that! As for one you recommend, I do agree that they are decent, but honest, they restrict intense rains. Think about it, the surface area might have lots of holes, but flip the equation around and you have MOST of the surface area being a solid sheet where water can not pass through. As for micro screen styles, most of them do exactly what you describe. Water just can't pass through fast enough because they all usually have a solid framing of some sort which again is something that the water can't pass through. Additionally, the micro screen portion needs something below to PULL the water through using the physics of water tension. We have a product on our house that works incredibly and it DOES NOT eventually create a buildup of debris on top that needs to be cleaned. Mind you, there are SOME type of tree debris that COULD require cleaning the top, but honestly, it is so infrequent that it does not justify avoiding such a product. Lastly, one of the most popular versions we install was not covered by you. Other than the very fine type debris or pine needles, the product is amazing. It does NOT restrict water flow and simply keeps debris out. It can be found at diamondbackguttercovers.ca Great job BTW helping people to understand that there are indeed some products that are better than others, and most of them are a rip off!
Our old home has the cap/helmet style guards and when it's raining hard, the gutters are literally useless and our basement floods due to all the water dumping onto the side of the house.
Great info! Very appreciative of the honesty. Being in the lawn industry and offering gutter cleaning as a service, I always tell customers that have gutter guards, they aren't the end all be all. I have seen so many gutters with 5-7 yr old guards that have collected debris and have to be cleaned out.
None of them clog its not a lie. As long as its not installed on a house its not gonna clog. If after the sales pitch you have problems. Then you own it. Aka. " my gutter guards don't clog"
After we started having major ice storms here which took down at least a hundred trees on my farm last year I took down every tree that could fall on my house or shed leaves on my roof. Absolutely no gutter problems since.
Those aluminum guards with the holes suck my personal opinion you will have to still get your gutters cleaned it will not stop the roof grit or pine needles trust me Iv had to do this my self take off downspout from homes just to get the clog out it was stuffed with grit
So with these Gutter Guard we go from blowing the leafs out of the gutter once a year to cleaning the gutter Guards off once twice a year and still have to rip them off every 3-5 years and clean out the small debris inside the gutter, then try to put the gutter gaurds back on! seems like one step forward two steps back!
If you got leaves, your cleaning them out two or three times in the fall. Then don't forget the crap in the spring. Most of the debris will blow off before there is a need to brush them. And why would you remove all the sections to flush the gutter? Got a similar guard (hover dam) and I don't clean them three to 5 years. Come to think of it I never even flushed that gutter in almost 20 years.
So Gutter Guard ? Great info, helpful to prolong cleaning, easier maintained, great for painting screws and trim back the dam trees. 🌳 😀 👍 I actually love trees but not growing in the gutters.
I would say not to have a gutter guard. It is better to have 6" gutters with a very wide downspout the leads to a catch basin. if you want easy maintenance, install a hose connection at the ends and routinely flush.
i agree with this, in my experience all gutter guards have their pros and cons, none are totally maintenance free. 6 inch is the way to go! Areas with lots of pine needles like the state of Georgia always cause problems.
@@bmfitzgerald3 Punch a hole at the end of the gutter away from the downspout then connect a 90 degree hose connection. Either pipe to a water supply or connect a hose making sure that either is fully supported. Inside the gutter (long runs) connect a nozzle to jet debris out to the end. Flush after each rain.
@@braunzie2 Another idea is to start installing your gutter guards at the "high" end (farthest from the downspout) BUT cut a 6" piece off the end and mount it with 1 or 2 screws. The remaining panel is "notched" to overlap the 6" panel by about 1". This allows you to remove 1 or 2 screws on the 6" panel and put the garden hose (with straight jet nozzle) into the gutter and "snake" it down to the downspout. The jet spray of water will wash the grit/debris down to the downspout. You can do the same process of cutting a 6" panel as you get to the downspout and you'll have easy access to the downspout to clear any clog. Much easier to remove the small panels and less wear-and-tear on the shingles/gutter.
The down side to the aluminum gutter guard is that its noisy, rain hitting it is loud enough to wake me at night. Glad to know its most effective product, though.
I think you should look at Homecraft Gutter Protection. They have an awesome system that basically rectifies all of the issues you pointed out. I have them and I have absolutely no issues! Its made of stainless steel. I previously bought a home with Leaf Filter guards and they were horrible!!!!! The Homecraft gutter guard is also a lot better than the basic aluminum guard. I'm not sure where you are located but Homecraft operates in the southern part of the US where I am from.
If your house is by many trees , . Their is no guard that will prevent debris from entering your gutters . I’ve cleaned gutters for close to 30 years . I’ve had customers buy ever kiind of contraption and in due time they called me up and said their gutters are clogged .
Just found your channel and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your information... We just got our 1st gutter guard customer and We will be going by your recommendation. Thanks again!!!
The micro filter type also freezes up. Then water cascades off onto the sidewalks or driveway. That night when it freezes, you have a frozen mess and MANY icicles hanging from the gutter.
Downspout clean outs are superior. No gutter down spout basket, washing out the gutter works the best. "Leaf Guard" systems work on the phallicy of the maintenance free mindset.
I wish I had seen this before I bought Leaf Filter !!! What a rip off!!! Mine get covered on the top from debris like yours then pour like out of a bucket right over the carport door. They have been back 4 times to "fix" the problem and it still does the same.
There really is no solution other than cleaning. You can clean gutters for free. You have to pay for gutter guards to be installed before you have to clean them. Which one is really cheaper in the end?
Lotta comments talking down on gutter guards in general but have fun in a neighborhood that's not a new build on the East Coast climbing on your roof to blow out (messy) or hand scoop your gutters twice a year.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, I click on the link which took me to the gutter guard, but it's only .018 thick, if I hear you correctly you said thicker then .018, where might one find gutter guard thicker then .018. plus I will be placing it on a 6 inch K gutter. Thank You, Gerry
Do you have a video on maintaining these? My roof is steeply sloped and offers a potential 3 story drop in the back. However, my gutters clog fast because we are in a heavily wooded area and we struggle to ever get them cleaned at the right time. I am in the market for gutter guards but would still be incapable of the maintenance on one side of the house so I can’t decide if it the right choice.
I have a unique situation. My house is taller than the trees around me, but I have birds that are trying to nest in my gutters. We had one that actually did last year, and it caused quite a mess during one of our summer afternoon downpours. Any specific recommendations for this situation?
My house is surrounded by trees. All of my gutters have 1/4”’hardware cloth steel mesh secured to the gutters with self drilling screws. Did it myself. Easy install and works great. Probably not what gutter guard salesman/contractors want to hear.
I don't understand when you say they are not there so you don't have to clean your gutters,they are there to increase the flow rate. It's there to make your gutters manageable. What the he'll does that mean? I'm pretty sure 99percent of people getting the gutter guard is so they don't have to clean their gutters. Am I wrong here?
He is saying that the gutters won't fill up and back up and overflow. But, like any kind of mesh and screen, it will trap something, be it pine needles, roofing shingle grit, pollen tassels from trees, or whathaveyou. The only people who won't get debris are those who live in homes with no trees in the area. And, the frequency of maintaining your gutters may be greatly reduced. Some areas may not need cleaning off at all, or only every few years, and are much easier to clean with nothing in the gutter, only atop the screens/hood/grates. Of course, if you have leaves, you must clean valleys on the roof every year. They will accumulate debris. It may mean your maintenance is reduced to blowing or sweeping your gutter guards instead of digging out debris from the gutters.
@@borderlineiq Just my opinion..coming from someone who has cleaned their own gutters AND once having a gutter guard system: Cleaning gutters is not that big of a deal. The main selling point is staying off a ladder..especially if a 2nd story is involved. If you still have to climb a ladder to maintain your gutters in any way...it defeats the purpose.
Thankyou very much for the video .do they need to be screwed on and could you do the job on a ladder without having to get on the roof…would greatly appreciate you showing how to put them on.
Good video! I just subscribed. I’m in the Northeast and have a mix of White Pine, Maple and Oak on two sides of the house that have the longest gutter runs. I was leaning towards Micro-Mesh (for the Pine needles and Oak tassels) until I saw your video. I also have a 12/12 pitch roof where runoff may be a problem with the Micro-Mesh even if I install it with an angle of 15 degrees or less. For my situation, would you still recommend the perforated aluminum gutter guard?
@@Fatelvis2 I went with the Amerimax Titan 3000 gutter guards. They were easy to install and lie flat on the gutters. I can clean them from the ground now. I have telescopic extension pole that I screw into a standard push broom head upside down. I can clean the entire perimeter in about 20 min. I have not had any clogs. Anything that works in through the holes will go through the downspout eventually. If you do get a clog, you can simply remove the screws from the piece that covers the clogged downspout to clean it out. I live in the Northeast and snow and ice dams were not a problem. I always snow rake off the soffit overhang areas anyway, but these guards did not introduce any new problems. They're a grayish colored aluminum that you cannot see from the ground so don't concern yourself with painting them. The screws are also aluminum so nothing will rust. The should last for a very long time.
@@knockitstiff thanks I had already had the mesh screens installed my gutter cleaning company suggested I replace my gutter so if this causes me more problems then it solves I will chaulk it up as a lose and have the gutters replaced
@@Fatelvis2 Sorry to hear that. Not sure what new gutters will do for you unless they are damaged or were never installed properly. I would get a few quotes if you have to go that route.
@@knockitstiff I don't notice a problem with the gutters but the cleaners talking about repairing them for $1500 (96 feet) so if this doesnt workout and I have to remove the guards I might as well hire them to replace the entire gutter instead of being charged just to remove them if it was 1 story I would have DYI
Save your money 💰 on any Gutter guards. Clean out by your gutters either once a year or twice depending on what region of the country you live in. If you’re unable to do it hire someone as it’s still going to be cheaper than paying for the install. During heaving rains those guards won’t catch the water running down your roof!
Excellent video. I'm looking at an alum. guard, (I'll ck. thickness). But it slides under the shingles. PROBLEM. Shingles are 20 yrs. old. The edges are rounded and brittle. I'm concerned about lifting the shingles and having them chip/crack/break. Got a suggest on how I can SAFELY LIFT THE SHINGLES? THANKS VERY MUCH.
I see that the recommended aluminum gutter guard is also available in a black color. Supposedly if you get some sunlight in the winter it can help prevent them from icing up? Is there any validity to this or does it make any difference at all? Thanks for your informative videos on this subject!
mellowjammer 🧐 Icing up is not an issue. Give that some deep 💭. Gutter guard there or not if it’s below freezing you will have ice, that’s just normal. “Icing up” or ice damage is caused from lack of proper maintenance or thrown around as a sales tactic😳 The color will not have ANY effect. I prefer the mill finish looks better longer👌👍 Jimmy😊
One topic I don't hear about is how any of the guards you talk about is how they work in snowy conditions. Some things I've read about snowy conditions is that snow builds up on top of the guards which translates to ice build up which creates falling situation on someone's head, or when the snow starts to melt the ice underneath will prevent the water from entering the gutter, which in turn drips down on a walkway or porch, then ice.
LeafGuard’s main selling point is prevention of water from reaching the very edge of the roofline. Should this be a concern in addition to simply guarding the gutter? What are your recommendations? Thanks!
Here down under we either have concrete roof tiles or steel corrugated roof, do you know if this can work on either? I had an idea of using shadecloth , something like 2 to 3 feet wide, tuck one side under roof tiles and other end can gargle over gutter with weighs so it doesn't blow off. The idea is do the leaves can blow off and have lots of small holes for the water to run into.
Semper Fi The added snow/ice on the gutters add a cold mass at the soffits, when clear spots on the roof, do to exposure from sun, melt, the resultant water runs down to the soffit area where it refreezes at night. Also, this can happen if there are any heat sources/leaks on the roof such as areas near bathroom vents. In addition to all previously said, unusual weather conditions such as snow, rain then freezing temperatures can cause havoc which is what we are seeing more often up here in the north east. Gutter guards add additional blocking height to the mass.
I can't see the Aluminum perforated shedding Pine needles and Oak leaves. I've got both and have used an open meshed guard in the past and the needles and leaves get stuck in the mesh. I've since installed "Easy-On Gutter Guards" with the fine mesh and they work OK. I still have to brush them off a couple times a year but it's nothing like the more open mesh design.
You are absolutely correct. I have those exact gutter guards and pine needles and this oak whirlybirds are a problem. You almost have to hand pick those out of all the holes.
'Raindrop' has more openings, but not large openings. I think the flow of water would is better in heavy rain. Better than the aluminum perforated one...
Okay here's an absolute fact. I purchased the home in South Carolina. Down in the basement I was having flooding issues. I had a good regard all the way around the house. The gutters were clean inside. The opening or three times bigger than what he's showing here. And it was causing flooding down in my basement. I highly recommend you not buy gutter guards. They will destroy your fascia board back flush onto your wood underneath your shingles. And flood your basement. I've seen it to be an absolute fact. And no one here is going to be able to say anything different because I seen it. Exactly what they do Don't buy them. They can and will destroy their damage your home.
does the aluminum gutter guard come in black? we have a one-story mid-century modern home and don't want it to clash with our black trim and gutters. who makes it?
They sent me a high pressure salesman give me a little discount cause im over 65 getting water in my house now it has that micro screen junk. I spent thousands on it is there anything leagaly I can do? Thanks
we have the worst kind you mentioned for large roof with large valleys and niagra falls at the valleys and onto the door of the home during heavy rains. if i start completely over, what would you recommend if you were me!?
If you have standard oak and other trees, perforated is fine, but if you have a lot of pine needles and seeds, I’d suggest looking for a micro mesh option
To see exactly what you will find with pine needles check out this older review I did. The exact recommended type gutter guard will have far less if any on or in the guard: czcams.com/video/rZN58oyUxVM/video.html
That guard you think is the best is actually some of the biggest crap out there. It lays flat and will collect debri fast. You create a shelf effect. How can you not realize this. Everything need maintenance.blow off spray off they all need that. The purpose of a gutter guard it to maintain the gutters and downspouts from clogging. It's way easier to blow off some debri instead of sticking your hands in a bunch of muck with bird and squirrel feces in all that. And holy cow a .18 that's a tin can. Won't with stand limbs falling on it to much. Just imagine the pine needles sticking out of those holes. That's been an issue for as long as that type has been on the market. You have got to do better research before claiming to be knowledgeable about a product. That guard you recommend is far from a 5 star guard.
@@thomastusing6103 His main point has to do with flow, not gutter clogging. He says many times, you have to clean you gutters using the recommended product. I also note that he is in the business...so installing his recommended guard does mean people pay him to clean them out. Not saying this is a negative!
Is there any gutter guard out there that will stand up to the ice and snow melting off a steel roof? I had some gutter guard on our office building, and the snow and ice popped it off.
I am getting new gutters and gutter guards from a major box company the gutter guard looks like what you have with BB size holes in them. Will this work against Pine needles??
Really, that is probably reality. I have cleaned out a handful of gutters and I remember one house that had gutter guards and nearly all of the gutters were filled all the way up to the guard with dirt (from decomposed debris). I can only assume that these guards must have been on there for decades without any maintenance. Guards are really there to keep the majority of debris out to allow water to always flow, unlike without guards, each time it rains, your gutter might be overflowing due to new debris. You still have to maintenance them every so often.
Please just pay someone to clean out gutters as needed. All of the gutter guards have problems, especially with certain type trees nearby. Maple, sweet gum(worst due spiked seed balls), oak, pine trees, sycamore, are examples.
That material you (should) remove from the gutter cover would otherwise clog the drain causing overflow against the foundation or go down the drain and cause a clog there which (over years) might need excavation to repair . I find cleaning the tray Summer and Fall is no big deal, but depends on height and length, debris etc
@@chickeee Where I come from it rains against the foundation regardless of the gutters. Should I cover those areas with flex seal? Gutters themselves are the problem.
I appreciate your video. The gutter you mentioned seems to have bigger holes. Every year we get wasp's nests and just seems they'd get in those holes. What about the Leaf Blaster? I watched another video stating that's one of the best gutter guards. Just curious before we purchase. We live in Colorado if that makes a difference. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks again.
One difference with a gutter cover would be freezing on the surface and icicles on the front, that may cause some drips during the day which freezes overnight . So this could cause ice on the porch or driveway that you didn't have before
@EverthingGutter The video shows a flat panel but the link is a x wave panel. Which is better? I know that you have said before that you do not like the step down panel.
@@Everythinggutter That link only offers Sureflo step down and sureflo x. It looks like you're recommending sureflo (the flat one). It is not offered anymore?
The truth is, you get a bit less than half of the benefit of gutter guards than you hoped to get. Make sure the gutters themselves are setup and supported with perfect drop angles and then power flush them clean of heavy roof grit every year. If your guards are screwed in, you have extra work to do every other year. Use the cost-effective, Home Depot screened PVC guards. Put them on correctly - screen side UP. Don't let heavy debris collapse and warp them. Keep a 1/2 case of them on hand to replace any bad ones every year. PVC is much easier and safer to install while you're on a roof or ladder - no tools other than snips to trim for corners.
The gutter guard you’re recommending has its own issues. If you have pine trees then those holes will quickly fill with pine needles and you will be hand picking them out. Same with those oak tree whirlybirds. No washing those babies out!
What, you have magic pine needles that fall perfectly straight on end and always hit the hole perfectly? You cure that by going up the pine tree and knock all the needles off while the wind is calm.
@@340rps When you have old tall pine trees 60+ foot tall, you ain’t whacking the tree to get needles to fall off. They will fall off all year round and, and trust me - plenty WILL fall straight into those holes - daily.
@@340rps you can call it magic but it’s actually exactly what pine needles do. You do realize that pine needles are weighed to one end? That’s not magic, just nature.
Is it easily / quickly removable for cleaning the gutter? because your gutter still needs to be cleaned, not of leaves but of that petroleum-asphalt glue-like goo mix . I had this installed 10 years ago, with no access to gutter and the are now 3/4 glogged .
Only easy to remove if you think unscrewing lots of screws is easy, and getting up there to do it. Yes, bits of stones will fall in by way of these larger holes, the fine mesh prevents that, it also works ok on light to medium rainy days. Maybe in a severe stormy weather, mesh wont flow enough. I have mesh Ameritex white filter guards. They dont clog much, the edge catches debris over years of time. But they still flow. Except on a very heavy hurricane etc... they will overflow the gutter some. Recommend you screw them down on the edge. Everything has tradeoffs.
We are getting out quotes as we speak. It sounds like you DO NOT recommend gutter guards in general at least not the ones that have the mesh covering. The company I thinking of getting gutters from used Micro Guard and has a 5 year warranty that they honor. Am I better without gutter guards altogether???
…..as well as asphalt sand! You would have to take these off to maintain your gutter. At least with the Micro Mesh, you just have to maintain the outside of the guard - much easier in my eyes.....am I wrong???
@michael anthony I'll be interested in your results with the Costco micro mesh. The issues I've seen on-line with the DIY micro mesh's is screens too small which don't allow heavy water flow through and possible algae growth with time. There are premium micro mesh screens that address these issues, but you and I can't purchase these (contractor install) and I'm not willing to pay 10 times the cost of the DIY versions!
Thanks for this vid just canceled leaf guard appointment. Appreciate the honesty man.
I am looking at putting about 78 ft of gutter with 11 ft drop on my house. Yours is the best explanation of the various types and what type of gutter I should get. Thank you.
My HOA is looking to make a deal with Gutter Guard and I've been telling them that over a 20 year period it would be more cost effective to pay someone to clean the gutters once or twice a year. Thanks so much for this.
I took a shot every time he said gutter guard. Now I’m gonna be drunk for the next month
But did you buy Gutter Guard? Because Gutter Guard will guard your gutter, hence the name... Gutter Guard.
I installed my aluminum perforated gutter guards shortly after seeing this video. The biggest "take-away" was the fact that no gutter guard is 100% guaranteed to never need maintenance, so choose one that needs LESS maintenance than others. Because maintenance is a "MUST", I installed my gutter guards so I could work "smarter", not "harder". I decided to put a 6" panel over the downspout for easy access to any clogged debris/sludge. I also put a 6" panel at the "high" end (farthest away from the downspout) for easy access to insert a straight jet nozzle on my garden hose. NOW, in a couple years when the small debris/shingle grit needs to be cleaned out, I will simply have to remove two screws from each 6" panel and wash it out. The 6" panels are so much easier to remove/reinstall than the full size 4' ones, and there is less wear-and-tear on the shingles. Thanks for the video, great information for sure.
So... Climb on a ladder and clean something. I already do that for free without the gutter guards.
@@diegudr If you're climbing your ladder once or twice a year to clean em out, but I'm climbing a ladder once every 4 or 5 years, well, , , , , ,,I WIN!! 😁
@@dennisgarcia5511no, you don't win. Whoever sold you that junk won. Plus we win, because we get to laugh at you!
As a guy who's been in this business for over 40 years and owned a Grover 5" gutter machine for many years, I appreciate your advice. Love the color of your trucks and vans. Must bring in the business big-time. Keep up the good work.
you sold me and convinced me - best of all in your business - thanks! May God Bless you
Good video here, it all makes sense, the companies that push the guards are slick but they ignore the facts that you bring to light here! Thank you!
I like the idea of helping my gutters flow better. I have lots of trees and a big gutter cleanup at least twice a year. I’m ok with perforated aluminum but they need to be easy to remove for maintenance.
do you clean the gutters yourself if not what are the gutter cleaning service attitude towards cleaning them
Several years ago I came home and found that the gutter across the front of my house had fallen to the ground! I started searching and talking to the limited number of people who were in the business at the time. I decided on Leaf Guard. One whole piece manufactured on my property. I did ask the installer how they would clean them out in a couple of years and his answer was "we have a special tool that fits into the space". So great. We do get torrential rains in NC. and that is the only time water is seen shooting over the gutter. Now it is time to clean them out. HA! I have called, gone online, and it's funny the only company that responds is Leaf Filter. Well with all the companies out there, I know all they want is to put in their own gutters. Going to the BBB with a complaint, no one from Lead Guard has responded to any calls that I have made. Guess their MO is to take advantage of single, older, ladies! NOT A GOOD LOOK.
Thanks for the video, after couple hours of research, I determine gutter guards are not a good investment. It still clogs with the guard, still need cleaning and it would be difficult, there will be additional weight on your roof. And gutter guards are not designed for winter, there will be ice accumulated with the guards, adding even more weight on your roof.
Exactly! I'm finding after doing much research it's just best to leave out the gutter guards altogether since they still need to be cleaned. I'd rather hire someone once or twice a year to clean out my gutters.
And falling crab apples, ice sheets and the worst - falling walnuts! Mine fall hard from 75 feet up right above the house. Only the RAINDROP black plastic had been tough enough to take repeated beatings without damage or collapse. The thick black plastic gets warm in full sun and melts snow and ice. It's not a screen so some debris gets through. But who cares? Anything that small washes right down the drain pipe!
Hi!he gutter systems that use a ddd
What about the gutter designs that use an oblong funnel opening from the gutter, about as wide as the gutter, allowing a smooth transition to the downspout,
which would preferabley be about the sixe of the gutter.Guttere funnels are available online. With a far less restriction, there would be far better flow, and may need only
a flushing with a a hose. A J-shaped end, connected to a metal tube, to allow flushing from the ground, of a hose would allow control of the flushing. This, too is available online. Dave L.
Thank you so much. New home owner here and I refused to pay Leaf Filter that outrageous price when I am a DIY guy
Don't believe anything leaf filter says. Trust me. I know. Liars and scammers.
As a contractor working on condominium townhouse complexes full-time I have encountered a common gripe. Since the installation of perforated or micro aluminum gutter guards, during rain, and during mild weather when the window is open, there is this constant drumming sound coming from the newly installed gutter guard it is only screwed in at certain centers. This constant drumming sound drives many people insane and was not mentioned by the contractor prior to installation who was only looking for a sale, or possibly never considered this reality. So buyer beware, is something like the sound of a drumming coming from your trough nonstop during a rainy day or night bothers you, you might want to rethink gutter guards, or at least know what to expect.
Good video, thanks. Sounds like the best investment is to spend $1200 to take down the damn maple tree that the previous owner let grow like a weed on the north side of the house (no shade benefit). Then just get on a ladder every month or so and check the downspout openings.
At least you own the tree and not your neighbor up wind ffs. I dropped 22 giant firs on my property but my fkn neighbor's the issue. Just the mess of cone remnants from the squirrels gets blown all over my roof in the heavy winds, it's insane. GG's are going to work great at my place
This is helpful information.
I was telling my husband that I wanted gutter guards, and he kept on just not responding.
Now I can understand WHY he doesn’t like them. We have had very very heavy rains resulting in a wet basement.
If we get the aluminum perforated type gutter guards, I know we’ll still have to clean our gutters regularly.
So what!
Clean the gutters and shut your pie hole 😅😅🤣
Just not even nearly as often.
@@EDDIE5918 yup put on some old clothes open up a nice cold beer get your ladder and blower and get to work 😂
@@donkiko6708 quadruple her life insurance payout and suggest she have three beers
Might help us all to see a video on how to take the gutter guard off to clean out the small dirt/etc inside the gutter then replace the guard. Can sections be removed easily? How are these sections held in place, etc. I currently clean out my gutters three to four times a year with a leaf blower, so as long as I'm careful with a sturdy ladder no issue but getting older so was looking for an easier way. Maybe hiring neighbor's kid down the street will work best for me in another couple years, $20 an hour works for me. Thanks for your video.
MY husband has been in the gutter business for decades and, like you, has seen a TON OF JUNK PRODUCTS. You are correct about the hood style being the WORST. You just can't clean them. Total waste of money, and wow, BIG money at that!
As for one you recommend, I do agree that they are decent, but honest, they restrict intense rains. Think about it, the surface area might have lots of holes, but flip the equation around and you have MOST of the surface area being a solid sheet where water can not pass through.
As for micro screen styles, most of them do exactly what you describe. Water just can't pass through fast enough because they all usually have a solid framing of some sort which again is something that the water can't pass through. Additionally, the micro screen portion needs something below to PULL the water through using the physics of water tension. We have a product on our house that works incredibly and it DOES NOT eventually create a buildup of debris on top that needs to be cleaned. Mind you, there are SOME type of tree debris that COULD require cleaning the top, but honestly, it is so infrequent that it does not justify avoiding such a product.
Lastly, one of the most popular versions we install was not covered by you. Other than the very fine type debris or pine needles, the product is amazing. It does NOT restrict water flow and simply keeps debris out. It can be found at diamondbackguttercovers.ca
Great job BTW helping people to understand that there are indeed some products that are better than others, and most of them are a rip off!
Straight forward, honest, I like the info.
Our old home has the cap/helmet style guards and when it's raining hard, the gutters are literally useless and our basement floods due to all the water dumping onto the side of the house.
Great info! Very appreciative of the honesty. Being in the lawn industry and offering gutter cleaning as a service, I always tell customers that have gutter guards, they aren't the end all be all. I have seen so many gutters with 5-7 yr old guards that have collected debris and have to be cleaned out.
I subscribed. Salespeople tell me their guards never clog. Thanks for the truth.
None of them clog its not a lie.
As long as its not installed on a house its not gonna clog.
If after the sales pitch you have problems. Then you own it.
Aka. " my gutter guards don't clog"
I believe they will tell you your gutter will never clog. The mesh ones that is true. Because they can't if the water can't get into them.
Thank you! Really informative. Now I know what to look for: aluminum perforated, thicker than . 018, pro quality.
After we started having major ice storms here which took down at least a hundred trees on my farm last year I took down every tree that could fall on my house or shed leaves on my roof. Absolutely no gutter problems since.
...and with this video. I've heard the words "gutter guard" 100 more times than I ever hoped to in a lifetime.
Try and say Gutter Guard 5 times Fast!
Those aluminum guards with the holes suck my personal opinion you will have to still get your gutters cleaned it will not stop the roof grit or pine needles trust me Iv had to do this my self take off downspout from homes just to get the clog out it was stuffed with grit
Thanks so much I was going see about leaf guard but it sounds screwed up also. Those fine mesh would build up in a month at my house
So with these Gutter Guard we go from blowing the leafs out of the gutter once a year to cleaning the gutter Guards off once twice a year and still have to rip them off every 3-5 years and clean out the small debris inside the gutter, then try to put the gutter gaurds back on! seems like one step forward two steps back!
If you got leaves, your cleaning them out two or three times in the fall. Then don't forget the crap in the spring. Most of the debris will blow off before there is a need to brush them. And why would you remove all the sections to flush the gutter? Got a similar guard (hover dam) and I don't clean them three to 5 years. Come to think of it I never even flushed that gutter in almost 20 years.
If that’s the case. One must have alot of granule loss from their asphalt shingles
So Gutter Guard ? Great info, helpful to prolong cleaning, easier maintained, great for painting screws and trim back the dam trees. 🌳 😀 👍 I actually love trees but not growing in the gutters.
I would say not to have a gutter guard. It is better to have 6" gutters with a very wide downspout the leads to a catch basin. if you want easy maintenance, install a hose connection at the ends and routinely flush.
i agree with this, in my experience all gutter guards have their pros and cons, none are totally maintenance free. 6 inch is the way to go! Areas with lots of pine needles like the state of Georgia always cause problems.
Great idea about the hose connection! How would you install that though? 🤔
@@bmfitzgerald3 Punch a hole at the end of the gutter away from the downspout then connect a 90 degree hose connection. Either pipe to a water supply or connect a hose making sure that either is fully supported. Inside the gutter (long runs) connect a nozzle to jet debris out to the end. Flush after each rain.
@@braunzie2 interesting idea. thanks for sharing!
@@braunzie2 Another idea is to start installing your gutter guards at the "high" end (farthest from the downspout) BUT cut a 6" piece off the end and mount it with 1 or 2 screws. The remaining panel is "notched" to overlap the 6" panel by about 1". This allows you to remove 1 or 2 screws on the 6" panel and put the garden hose (with straight jet nozzle) into the gutter and "snake" it down to the downspout. The jet spray of water will wash the grit/debris down to the downspout. You can do the same process of cutting a 6" panel as you get to the downspout and you'll have easy access to the downspout to clear any clog. Much easier to remove the small panels and less wear-and-tear on the shingles/gutter.
Excellent and professional information. Thank you so much!
The down side to the aluminum gutter guard is that its noisy, rain hitting it is loud enough to wake me at night. Glad to know its most effective product, though.
I think you should look at Homecraft Gutter Protection. They have an awesome system that basically rectifies all of the issues you pointed out. I have them and I have absolutely no issues! Its made of stainless steel. I previously bought a home with Leaf Filter guards and they were horrible!!!!! The Homecraft gutter guard is also a lot better than the basic aluminum guard. I'm not sure where you are located but Homecraft operates in the southern part of the US where I am from.
If your house is by many trees , . Their is no guard that will prevent debris from entering your gutters . I’ve cleaned gutters for close to 30 years . I’ve had customers buy ever kiind of contraption and in due time they called me up and said their gutters are clogged .
I climb a ladder and with my battery leaf blower, can blow 30' at a time. Who needs these extra-work guards? ..........jesayin.
I’ve had gutter helmet on three houses, love it.
Just found your channel and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your information... We just got our 1st gutter guard customer and We will be going by your recommendation. Thanks again!!!
The micro filter type also freezes up. Then water cascades off onto the sidewalks or driveway. That night when it freezes, you have a frozen mess and MANY icicles hanging from the gutter.
Downspout clean outs are superior. No gutter down spout basket, washing out the gutter works the best. "Leaf Guard" systems work on the phallicy of the maintenance free mindset.
I like this guy he tells the TRUTH!!
I wish I had seen this before I bought Leaf Filter !!! What a rip off!!! Mine get covered on the top from debris like yours then pour like out of a bucket right over the carport door. They have been back 4 times to "fix" the problem and it still does the same.
Thanks so much. Your advice is appreciated.
Really wanted to buy a mesh solution but you're doing a good job convincing me. Patterned steel mesh really isn't the best solution?
There really is no solution other than cleaning. You can clean gutters for free. You have to pay for gutter guards to be installed before you have to clean them. Which one is really cheaper in the end?
Lotta comments talking down on gutter guards in general but have fun in a neighborhood that's not a new build on the East Coast climbing on your roof to blow out (messy) or hand scoop your gutters twice a year.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, I click on the link which took me to the gutter guard, but it's only .018 thick, if I hear you correctly you said thicker then .018, where might one find gutter guard thicker then .018. plus I will be placing it on a 6 inch K gutter. Thank You, Gerry
Great video
What about raindrop gutters?
Do you have a video on maintaining these? My roof is steeply sloped and offers a potential 3 story drop in the back. However, my gutters clog fast because we are in a heavily wooded area and we struggle to ever get them cleaned at the right time. I am in the market for gutter guards but would still be incapable of the maintenance on one side of the house so I can’t decide if it the right choice.
I have a unique situation. My house is taller than the trees around me, but I have birds that are trying to nest in my gutters. We had one that actually did last year, and it caused quite a mess during one of our summer afternoon downpours. Any specific recommendations for this situation?
My house is surrounded by trees. All of my gutters have 1/4”’hardware cloth steel mesh secured to the gutters with self drilling screws. Did it myself. Easy install and works great. Probably not what gutter guard salesman/contractors want to hear.
The metal mesh you’re supposed to bend so there’s no water run off
I don't understand when you say they are not there so you don't have to clean your gutters,they are there to increase the flow rate. It's there to make your gutters manageable. What the he'll does that mean? I'm pretty sure 99percent of people getting the gutter guard is so they don't have to clean their gutters. Am I wrong here?
He is saying that the gutters won't fill up and back up and overflow. But, like any kind of mesh and screen, it will trap something, be it pine needles, roofing shingle grit, pollen tassels from trees, or whathaveyou. The only people who won't get debris are those who live in homes with no trees in the area. And, the frequency of maintaining your gutters may be greatly reduced. Some areas may not need cleaning off at all, or only every few years, and are much easier to clean with nothing in the gutter, only atop the screens/hood/grates. Of course, if you have leaves, you must clean valleys on the roof every year. They will accumulate debris. It may mean your maintenance is reduced to blowing or sweeping your gutter guards instead of digging out debris from the gutters.
@@borderlineiq Just my opinion..coming from someone who has cleaned their own gutters AND once having a gutter guard system: Cleaning gutters is not that big of a deal. The main selling point is staying off a ladder..especially if a 2nd story is involved. If you still have to climb a ladder to maintain your gutters in any way...it defeats the purpose.
Thankyou very much for the video .do they need to be screwed on and could you do the job on a ladder without having to get on the roof…would greatly appreciate you showing how to put them on.
Good video! I just subscribed. I’m in the Northeast and have a mix of White Pine, Maple and Oak on two sides of the house that have the longest gutter runs. I was leaning towards Micro-Mesh (for the Pine needles and Oak tassels) until I saw your video. I also have a 12/12 pitch roof where runoff may be a problem with the Micro-Mesh even if I install it with an angle of 15 degrees or less. For my situation, would you still recommend the perforated aluminum gutter guard?
how did you make out I dont have pine trees and when the gutter guy came he said the screen was installed at a 13 degree angle
@@Fatelvis2 I went with the Amerimax Titan 3000 gutter guards. They were easy to install and lie flat on the gutters. I can clean them from the ground now. I have telescopic extension pole that I screw into a standard push broom head upside down. I can clean the entire perimeter in about 20 min. I have not had any clogs. Anything that works in through the holes will go through the downspout eventually. If you do get a clog, you can simply remove the screws from the piece that covers the clogged downspout to clean it out. I live in the Northeast and snow and ice dams were not a problem. I always snow rake off the soffit overhang areas anyway, but these guards did not introduce any new problems. They're a grayish colored aluminum that you cannot see from the ground so don't concern yourself with painting them. The screws are also aluminum so nothing will rust. The should last for a very long time.
@@knockitstiff thanks I had already had the mesh screens installed my gutter cleaning company suggested I replace my gutter so if this causes me more problems then it solves I will chaulk it up as a lose and have the gutters replaced
@@Fatelvis2 Sorry to hear that. Not sure what new gutters will do for you unless they are damaged or were never installed properly. I would get a few quotes if you have to go that route.
@@knockitstiff I don't notice a problem with the gutters but the cleaners talking about repairing them for $1500 (96 feet) so if this doesnt workout and I have to remove the guards I might as well hire them to replace the entire gutter instead of being charged just to remove them if it was 1 story I would have DYI
Save your money 💰 on any Gutter guards. Clean out by your gutters either once a year or twice depending on what region of the country you live in. If you’re unable to do it hire someone as it’s still going to be cheaper than paying for the install. During heaving rains those guards won’t catch the water running down your roof!
So .. If it is raining that hard it ain't gonna make a difference if there is any wash over. Wet is wet.
i got the fine mesh gutter guards they been keeping my gutters clean
me too, a decade on the house then switched to aluminum but the garage still has fine mesh, works great. And what's maintenance? HA!
Sound right on the micro-screen. Would sheet up in heavy rain.
Excellent video. I'm looking at an alum. guard, (I'll ck. thickness). But it slides under the shingles. PROBLEM. Shingles are 20 yrs. old. The edges are rounded and brittle. I'm concerned about lifting the shingles and having them chip/crack/break. Got a suggest on how I can SAFELY LIFT THE SHINGLES? THANKS VERY MUCH.
I see that the recommended aluminum gutter guard is also available in a black color. Supposedly if you get some sunlight in the winter it can help prevent them from icing up? Is there any validity to this or does it make any difference at all? Thanks for your informative videos on this subject!
mellowjammer 🧐 Icing up is not an issue. Give that some deep 💭. Gutter guard there or not if it’s below freezing you will have ice, that’s just normal. “Icing up” or ice damage is caused from lack of proper maintenance or thrown around as a sales tactic😳 The color will not have ANY effect. I prefer the mill finish looks better longer👌👍 Jimmy😊
@@Everythinggutter Thanks Jimmy! I am going with the perforated aluminum gutter guard in mill finish.
One topic I don't hear about is how any of the guards you talk about is how they work in snowy conditions. Some things I've read about snowy conditions is that snow builds up on top of the guards which translates to ice build up which creates falling situation on someone's head, or when the snow starts to melt the ice underneath will prevent the water from entering the gutter, which in turn drips down on a walkway or porch, then ice.
Ice buildup is a whole separate issue. Covers neither add or detract if you have ice, you can better VENTILATE your attic, or use heat tape.
Ice buildup will eventually create a roof leak
Awesome video!
Thanks!
This is excellent!! No matter what you do, every system, you have to clean your gutters, one way or another
LeafGuard’s main selling point is prevention of water from reaching the very edge of the roofline. Should this be a concern in addition to simply guarding the gutter? What are your recommendations? Thanks!
Thx for this video, very informative!
In the market for 🆕 gutters💯% Thank You💙 for your Intel 👊I will be buying the aluminium guard 🌧️for my Gutters🌈
Here down under we either have concrete roof tiles or steel corrugated roof, do you know if this can work on either? I had an idea of using shadecloth , something like 2 to 3 feet wide, tuck one side under roof tiles and other end can gargle over gutter with weighs so it doesn't blow off. The idea is do the leaves can blow off and have lots of small holes for the water to run into.
My, how no one in the industry wants to talk about snow and ice with these systems!
Semper Fi The added snow/ice on the gutters add a cold mass at the soffits, when clear spots on the roof, do to exposure from sun, melt, the resultant water runs down to the soffit area where it refreezes at night. Also, this can happen if there are any heat sources/leaks on the roof such as areas near bathroom vents. In addition to all previously said, unusual weather conditions such as snow, rain then freezing temperatures can cause havoc which is what we are seeing more often up here in the north east. Gutter guards add additional blocking height to the mass.
I can't see the Aluminum perforated shedding Pine needles and Oak leaves. I've got both and have used an open meshed guard in the past and the needles and leaves get stuck in the mesh. I've since installed "Easy-On Gutter Guards" with the fine mesh and they work OK. I still have to brush them off a couple times a year but it's nothing like the more open mesh design.
You are absolutely correct. I have those exact gutter guards and pine needles and this oak whirlybirds are a problem. You almost have to hand pick those out of all the holes.
'Raindrop' has more openings, but not large openings. I think the flow of water would is better in heavy rain. Better than the aluminum perforated one...
Okay here's an absolute fact. I purchased the home in South Carolina. Down in the basement I was having flooding issues. I had a good regard all the way around the house. The gutters were clean inside. The opening or three times bigger than what he's showing here. And it was causing flooding down in my basement. I highly recommend you not buy gutter guards. They will destroy your fascia board back flush onto your wood underneath your shingles. And flood your basement. I've seen it to be an absolute fact. And no one here is going to be able to say anything different because I seen it. Exactly what they do Don't buy them. They can and will destroy their damage your home.
does the aluminum gutter guard come in black? we have a one-story mid-century modern home and don't want it to clash with our black trim and gutters. who makes it?
They sent me a high pressure salesman give me a little discount cause im over 65 getting water in my house now it has that micro screen junk. I spent thousands on it is there anything leagaly I can do? Thanks
What about pine needles
Best reviews, information, and guidance! Thanks!!
Any test on Snow and Ice, Live in Appalachian Mountains so big leaves. and snow and ice.
we have the worst kind you mentioned for large roof with large valleys and niagra falls at the valleys and onto the door of the home during heavy rains. if i start completely over, what would you recommend if you were me!?
If you have standard oak and other trees, perforated is fine, but if you have a lot of pine needles and seeds, I’d suggest looking for a micro mesh option
Waterloov
Question, what about the grit that comes off the shingles, will that gutter guard keep it out remember the grit from the shingles are very small!🤷🏽♂️
Great question, the below video covers this👍
Sludge in the Gutters, Quickly learn EXACTLY why! czcams.com/video/vH7I-oVb4Ls/video.html
Do you have a link to a review about the hood style gutter guards, such as gutter helmet?
The guard that you recomend, How is it with pine needles? Will it look like a porcupine after the first wind storm?
To see exactly what you will find with pine needles check out this older review I did. The exact recommended type gutter guard will have far less if any on or in the guard: czcams.com/video/rZN58oyUxVM/video.html
@michael anthony Did you end up switching to a different style? I'm eyeballing the gutter guards by Gutterglove (micro mesh).
That guard you think is the best is actually some of the biggest crap out there. It lays flat and will collect debri fast. You create a shelf effect. How can you not realize this. Everything need maintenance.blow off spray off they all need that. The purpose of a gutter guard it to maintain the gutters and downspouts from clogging. It's way easier to blow off some debri instead of sticking your hands in a bunch of muck with bird and squirrel feces in all that. And holy cow a .18 that's a tin can. Won't with stand limbs falling on it to much. Just imagine the pine needles sticking out of those holes. That's been an issue for as long as that type has been on the market. You have got to do better research before claiming to be knowledgeable about a product. That guard you recommend is far from a 5 star guard.
@@thomastusing6103 His main point has to do with flow, not gutter clogging. He says many times, you have to clean you gutters using the recommended product. I also note that he is in the business...so installing his recommended guard does mean people pay him to clean them out. Not saying this is a negative!
Is there any gutter guard out there that will stand up to the ice and snow melting off a steel roof? I had some gutter guard on our office building, and the snow and ice popped it off.
I am getting new gutters and gutter guards from a major box company the gutter guard looks like what you have with BB size holes in them. Will this work against Pine needles??
“The purpose of a gutter guard is not to keep out debris, it’s there to manage flow rate” I don’t, I don’t thing that sounds right...
Really, that is probably reality. I have cleaned out a handful of gutters and I remember one house that had gutter guards and nearly all of the gutters were filled all the way up to the guard with dirt (from decomposed debris). I can only assume that these guards must have been on there for decades without any maintenance. Guards are really there to keep the majority of debris out to allow water to always flow, unlike without guards, each time it rains, your gutter might be overflowing due to new debris. You still have to maintenance them every so often.
Then let me sell you a leaffilter...cause your exactly the customer we look for...lol
@@JacobClayton09 you are 100# correct.
Please just pay someone to clean out gutters as needed. All of the gutter guards have problems, especially with certain type trees nearby. Maple, sweet gum(worst due spiked seed balls), oak, pine trees, sycamore, are examples.
Excellent!
Glad you liked it!
A flat guard is a tray to clog. Why install a guard that needs to be cleaned? I don't want to clean anything.
That material you (should) remove from the gutter cover would otherwise clog the drain causing overflow against the foundation or go down the drain and cause a clog there which (over years) might need excavation to repair . I find cleaning the tray Summer and Fall is no big deal, but depends on height and length, debris etc
@@chickeee Where I come from it rains against the foundation regardless of the gutters. Should I cover those areas with flex seal? Gutters themselves are the problem.
I appreciate your video. The gutter you mentioned seems to have bigger holes. Every year we get wasp's nests and just seems they'd get in those holes. What about the Leaf Blaster? I watched another video stating that's one of the best gutter guards. Just curious before we purchase. We live in Colorado if that makes a difference. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks again.
could explain gutter guard and ice dam? I heard that gutter guard can cause ice dam.
One difference with a gutter cover would be freezing on the surface and icicles on the front, that may cause some drips during the day which freezes overnight . So this could cause ice on the porch or driveway that you didn't have before
Thanks for posting this! Great video
6:35 purpose of a gutter guard, not to decrease maintenance but manage flow. Biggest take away from all the videos I have been watching.
I have large maple trees. Is shurflo Rx or Shurflo flat better? Is Gutter Rx better than both?
@EverthingGutter
The video shows a flat panel but the link is a x wave panel. Which is better? I know that you have said before that you do not like the step down panel.
@Everything Gutter
The type we use and recommend, They can be purchased on Amazon: amzn.to/2XjFGx6
@@Everythinggutter That link only offers Sureflo step down and sureflo x. It looks like you're recommending sureflo (the flat one). It is not offered anymore?
The truth is, you get a bit less than half of the benefit of gutter guards than you hoped to get. Make sure the gutters themselves are setup and supported with perfect drop angles and then power flush them clean of heavy roof grit every year. If your guards are screwed in, you have extra work to do every other year. Use the cost-effective, Home Depot screened PVC guards. Put them on correctly - screen side UP. Don't let heavy debris collapse and warp them. Keep a 1/2 case of them on hand to replace any bad ones every year. PVC is much easier and safer to install while you're on a roof or ladder - no tools other than snips to trim for corners.
The gutter guard you’re recommending has its own issues. If you have pine trees then those holes will quickly fill with pine needles and you will be hand picking them out. Same with those oak tree whirlybirds. No washing those babies out!
What, you have magic pine needles that fall perfectly straight on end and always hit the hole perfectly? You cure that by going up the pine tree and knock all the needles off while the wind is calm.
@@340rps When you have old tall pine trees 60+ foot tall, you ain’t whacking the tree to get needles to fall off. They will fall off all year round and, and trust me - plenty WILL fall straight into those holes - daily.
@@340rps you can call it magic but it’s actually exactly what pine needles do. You do realize that pine needles are weighed to one end? That’s not magic, just nature.
What about leaffilter
Does anyone have an opinion on the A-M gutter guard vs the Shur Flo X gutter guard?
Is it easily / quickly removable for cleaning the gutter? because your gutter still needs to be cleaned, not of leaves but of that petroleum-asphalt glue-like goo mix . I had this installed 10 years ago, with no access to gutter and the are now 3/4 glogged .
Only easy to remove if you think unscrewing lots of screws is easy, and getting up there to do it. Yes, bits of stones will fall in by way of these larger holes, the fine mesh prevents that, it also works ok on light to medium rainy days. Maybe in a severe stormy weather, mesh wont flow enough. I have mesh Ameritex white filter guards. They dont clog much, the edge catches debris over years of time. But they still flow. Except on a very heavy hurricane etc... they will overflow the gutter some. Recommend you screw them down on the edge. Everything has tradeoffs.
We are getting out quotes as we speak. It sounds like you DO NOT recommend gutter guards in general at least not the ones that have the mesh covering. The company I thinking of getting gutters from used Micro Guard and has a 5 year warranty that they honor. Am I better without gutter guards altogether???
What keeps the gutter guard from plugin up?
LOL, you can see clearly that the holes in that guard are too big, seeds will get thru & you will have a garden in your gutters in a few years!
…..as well as asphalt sand! You would have to take these off to maintain your gutter. At least with the Micro Mesh, you just have to maintain the outside of the guard - much easier in my eyes.....am I wrong???
@michael anthony I'll be interested in your results with the Costco micro mesh. The issues I've seen on-line with the DIY micro mesh's is screens too small which don't allow heavy water flow through and possible algae growth with time. There are premium micro mesh screens that address these issues, but you and I can't purchase these (contractor install) and I'm not willing to pay 10 times the cost of the DIY versions!
“Wartor” will flow right over the micro filter. 🙄
never could get sound