NFT: Gutter Guards

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They complained that pine needles still made it through the guards and needed to be cleaned out. Also one claimed his caused ice dams.

Last fall I climbed a ladder and cleaned my gutters using a leaf blower. Fast, but a little messy. This year I may try a kit that adds a U-shape extension to the blower and lets you do it from the ground. Also, my gutters are all around 8-10 feet above the ground.

In comment 14849444 Shepherdsam said:

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In comment 14849459 VTChuck said:

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They complained that pine needles still made it through the guards and needed to be cleaned out. Also one claimed his caused ice dams. Last fall I climbed a ladder and cleaned my gutters using a leaf blower. Fast, but a little messy. This year I may try a kit that adds a U-shape extension to the blower and lets you do it from the ground. Also, my gutters are all around 8-10 feet above the ground.

Dude, don't use one of the Gutter Cleaner attachments for the blower. Sounds good to not have to climb a ladder until you are made aware of the principle of gravity. What goes up, must come down. All the shit in your gutter will cascade all over you like filthy confetti.

I tried it and the trial lasted about 5 minutes when I was covered in rotten leaves, asphalt dust, dirt, pine needles, etc.

In comment 14849467 Diver_Down said:

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In comment 14849459 VTChuck said: Quote: They complained that pine needles still made it through the guards and needed to be cleaned out. Also one claimed his caused ice dams. Last fall I climbed a ladder and cleaned my gutters using a leaf blower. Fast, but a little messy. This year I may try a kit that adds a U-shape extension to the blower and lets you do it from the ground. Also, my gutters are all around 8-10 feet above the ground. Dude, don't use one of the Gutter Cleaner attachments for the blower. Sounds good to not have to climb a ladder until you are made aware of the principle of gravity. What goes up, must come down. All the shit in your gutter will cascade all over you like filthy confetti. I tried it and the trial lasted about 5 minutes when I was covered in rotten leaves, asphalt dust, dirt, pine needles, etc.

Yeah, I expect that. Figured I'd need to wear a rain-suit and eye protection for sure. Thanks for the warning.

Agree with VTChuck, depends what kind of trees you have. If they are evergreen/conifer trees, I know of none that are the screen type that will keep needles out. I have old gutter helmet type which has a big round edge that the water runs down and into the gutter, but debris can't really get in. They work well but they are VERY expensive. I tried to get someone to put them in a portion of our house that we changed the roof area, it was thousands for about 40 linear feet. I put the screen type DIY on my dad's house, cheap, a bit of a pain to install because you have to tuck them in under the first row of shingles and snap them into the edge of the gutter. Wear heavy gloves! He only has leafy trees so they worked fairly well for 8-10 years but then the plastic started to distort in the sun, crack, then crap got past the guards. I still had to go up once per year to get certain areas cleaned out.

Get 2-3 estimates from gutter companies. A lot depends on how hard they are to clean yourself. If you have low easy roof lines, I would forego the guards and blow them out myself. If they are up high, see what they cost and decide from there. The DIY type may not last that long or do the job well. Good luck.

I did it myself last year. Little tricky tucking them in but not too bad of a job. I do highly recommend the metal ones over the plastic. I tried the plastic and they were difficult to install. Also best to do it at a warmer temp so your roof shingles aren't ridgid. So far they are working well.

is the voiding of your roof warranty. As mentioned above, they had to install the product by inserting them under the first row of shingles. I would presume that action would void the warranty and potentially invalidate any insurance claim.

In comment 14849463 Diver_Down said:

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In comment 14849444 Shepherdsam said: Quote: .

+1

I have 8 leafy trees in the backyard, very old by the way, and back up to the woods. Neighbors also have some trees around us, so we get the maple helicopter seeds stuck in them every year along with the leafs, etc.

The metal ones I put in back in 2016 worked well for a while but the installation of the new roof whacked some out of place. They were a pain in the ass to put in as I had to bend them to get them in, was hoping there may be something a little easier but that would work for at least a few years.

that I found informative, but I am just starting to look. Here's one:
Dimitri - ( New Window )

and have had them for the past three years. I have pine trees here in North Carolina so some of the needles get stuck in them, but for the most part they work very well.

In comment 14849486 Diver_Down said:

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is the voiding of your roof warranty. As mentioned above, they had to install the product by inserting them under the first row of shingles. I would presume that action would void the warranty and potentially invalidate any insurance claim.

You are correct, roofing shingle companies like Certainteed would consider that voiding your warranty.

In comment 14849563 GFAN52 said:

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In comment 14849486 Diver_Down said: Quote: is the voiding of your roof warranty. As mentioned above, they had to install the product by inserting them under the first row of shingles. I would presume that action would void the warranty and potentially invalidate any insurance claim. You are correct, roofing shingle companies like Certainteed would consider that voiding your warranty.

I figured as such. I was forced to replace my roof last Spring in order for my home owner's insurance to continue to carry me. It was replaced with 30 year shingles (length of which a manufacture warranties their product is irrelevant if the insurance carrier requires a new roof every 20 years). The idea of prying up the first row of shingles to install gutter guards stands to reason that it would compromise the integrity of the shingle. And perhaps create a weakness in the event of a hurricane. I have a $3500 hurricane deductible but is much cheaper than a new roof at $8500. It would be a kick in the nuts to be denied a claim on roof replacement because of gutter guards.

Not sure what brand my home has, as they were installed prior... but I've run into some issues with silt buildup still. This isn't easy to fix myself, as these were glued on. If you can, go for something that's easily removable (turn of a wrench or screwdriver).

an ideal thing. We had the Leaf Filter come for an estimate and they wanted $2200 for about 75 feet. Plus since the area that has gutters has a screen(screened in pool cage) they would have to remove the screen panels in order to reach the gutters and install as they cannot work while on the roof(ladders only). It would have cost at least another $1000 to replace those screen.

In comment 14849459 VTChuck said:

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Last fall I climbed a ladder and cleaned my gutters using a leaf blower. Fast, but a little messy. This year I may try a kit that adds a U-shape extension to the blower and lets you do it from the ground. Also, my gutters are all around 8-10 feet above the ground.

I do this. If you have good balance, and aren't risking your life it works well.