The Truth About Gutter Guards
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- Опубликовано: 26 июн 2024
- Nobody likes to clean out their gutters, but do the gutter guards, or gutter "helmets" or leaf filter systems really help prevent clogged gutters? Are there downsides to installing these systems? In this video I'll give you my take on how well these systems work and what other problems they may create.
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![Why LeafFilter is the Worst Performing Gutter Guard [S1 E18]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_I3rv_qADpw/mqdefault.jpg)
Oh my, thanks so much my husband is out cleaning the gutters. I started looking at gutter guards and started looking at videos to see how they would be installed and am I glad I did. leaving well enough alone. Thank you so much you saved us a boat load of money in the process.
Your charm is enduring. THANK YOU. I came across this after trying to research covers, screens, etc. - all which seemed to require maintenance. Now that we're 60 and the boys have moved out, I think we'll just get the service...
I really appreciate the information in your video! I’ve tried several different products and agree that the best solution is having the gutters cleaned out! Save money, fewer problems! 👍👍
I enjoyed your thorough analyses and honest conclusion
Thank you for the honest review. I’m about to replace my roof and was considering adding gutter guards! I think I’ll just find a gutter cleaning service each fall and save the $1000 now!
I installed LeafGuard covered gutters and downspouts in 2006 at a cost of $2880. My rambler has two large soft maples (helicopter seeds), a birch, and a large pine tree that collectively cover 60% of the roof. The covered gutters have been the best home investment I've made in 30 years. The video is correct that the gutters do not capture all water during downpours. Fortunately, that has not caused basement leakage issues. I have not had any bee hive issues, and the gutters have not had to be cleaned in spote of very heavy debris from the trees. For me, covered gutters dramatically improved my quality of home maintenance life.
Sometimes gutter guards are fine. On balance, however, I find more problems than solutions with them. From your description I'd be more concerned about the trees being so close, which can cause long term damage in the form of rot, mold, roof moss or lichen, as well as falling limbs and roots damaging the foundation. Keep an eye on that and make certain that splashback from gutter overflow isn't causing damage to the base of your exterior walls.
Hi John, great video about the pro's and con's. I decided for myself just to get an attachment for my leaf blower to get rid of most debris and manually do the rest myself. Thx
Great points about gutter guard systems
For the DIY people, I use a wet/dry vacuum gutter attachment and it works. It's the 2.5" attachment that fits on the bigger (12 gal?) vacuums. Not perfect as it is the slip fit type and sometimes comes apart, duct tape would probably help but I forget about adding it after I'm through cleaning. Sucks out the leaves, whirly seed things, standing water, and the shingle granules pretty well. I have K-style gutters and would be much easier with the half round gutters. My wife moves the vacuum along while I do the vacuuming though you could do it by yourself. We have a 1 level, perhaps too unwieldly for a 2 story home though I have read some people attach a painting pole for support. Best to do it when things have dried out as it sometime clogs when everything is really wet (poke a yardstick or broom handle down the tubes). Only takes 30 to 40 minutes to do the whole house and no ladders needed. Still, I would gladly pay for the perfect no-maintenance gutters if anyone every designs one.
Thanks for going over each type of gutterguard & showing the pros & cons.I'll take your advise & pay a pro to clean them instead of investing in something that isn't what it's supposed to be.
Excellent review. I like the idea of a plain gutter coupled with paying someone to clean the gutters. I have bought LeafGuard by Englert Gutters ... very expensive. They are one-piece including the rounded-top-cover. Plus, they are constructed from very heavy aluminum which is formed on-site from huge rolls of sheet aluminum. Yes, wasps like to build a nest in these gutters. But they do not promote mold since they attach entirely to the facia under the roofing. Dust and dirt on the rounded nose will prevent the liquid adhesion ... so a simple swipe with a wet rag is required about once a year.
Can you instruct us on all of life's problems? Thank you for making this so easy. You're awesome.
Thanks for the truth! :)
One more thing I would add: don't install gutters that are larger than necessary. Here, in Utah, 4" is standard for residential. But a couple years ago I was working for a commercial contractor doing architectural sheet metal work, including the odd gutter job. We had a 6" K-style gutter machine for commercial gutters. I borrowed it one weekend to run gutters for my sister's and mother's houses (paid for the material usage). It looks a little bit big on my mother's home, but doesn't really detract, and anything smaller would look silly on my sister's huge house. But in both cases they catch and retain WAY more debris than the 4" seamed gutters I replaced. The 6" clearly isn't needed for handling the minimal rainfall around here, and along with the debris to clog them up they can hold a LOT of water, which means a lot of weight tugging constantly on the fascia boards. So far that hasn't created a bigger problem since we keep them clean, but it's definitely a lesson to be learned and shared.
Do you think the 6" gutter would work better with a gutter filter?
Jon Miller: I am glad I read your post. I just had a consultation a couple of days ago with a company trying to sell me a whole new gutter system with a little roof on it for about $9,500, but only $6,500 if I skip my sunroom and keep my same downspouts. After doing some research right here on RUclips, I have decided against getting any of the gutter guard/filter systems.
I am having a big issue with water wetting a wall in my sunroom. As I was thinking about solutions, I thought about replacing the back gutters, which are adjacent to the sunroom, with bigger gutters, but after reading your post, I see that can be problematic.
Thanks for making this you saved me a lot of money
Wow, thanks for the excellent info here, mate. I'm a first-time homeowner and was just up on my roof (the 15-degree pitch part, not the 45-degree), clearing out our gutters. I know nothing about gutters except for their basic purpose, so it was great to have some "insider" info here. Much appreciated.
Gym 6 6
This is true about the bad side of gutter helmet. It may work for a couple of years but eventually debris will build up and clog gutters. For my house I noticed severe water overflowing from gutters and no water coming down through downspouts. However, commercials and ads still preach about "...never clean your gutters again..." which is dishonest and untrue! It is great and thanks for sharing!
Thanks, you saved me some money!! I was totally thinking about Gutter Guards but not anymore.
Thanks. Your advice is just simple and common sense.
I agree, thanks for speaking the truth. I live in SE North Carolina, and we have "long leaf' pines. I don't know of any gutter guards that are maintenance free and work well. They all just move the clog from down in the gutter to sitting on top of the gutter. My parents purchased Gutter Helmet brand guards, biggest waste of money. The rain just runs off the roof in several places, instead of going into the gutter. They've been out several times, all the service guy does is shrug his shoulders, not a clue of how to fix a bad product.
This has been our dilemma... We have a lot of trees on our property, hence, tons of leaves that would fall into the gutters, and wasps would take up residence within. We had all the gutters cleaned out and added gutter covers. This worked GREAT until the squirrels decided that covered gutters were an perfect place to set up residency! 😐 So, we basically exchanged a wasp problem with a squirrel problem. Squirrels do a lot more damage than wasps do. They are now chewing up the gutters and trying to chew their way into our house. We are back to square one, removing the gutter covers and just cleaning out the gutters more frequently to prevent the wasps from re-establishing residency. A total waste of time, energy and money. Hope someone can learn from our experience.
Thank you for the "EYE" opening explanation. I have no been enlightened. I will now clean my gutters 2x a year. The inspection itself does not hurt. We have trees and that is the issue. Thanks again. Never thought of the bee nest.
Great vid. Clear, conscience and informative. Answered all my questions and helped me made the decision (not to install gutter guard). Thank you for this great content.
Thanks, very helpful!
Very good info and thx 4 telling everyone the truth!!!!!!!!
Great video, as a gutter contractor I agree completely. There are many leaf protection products on the market, we sell a handful. In the end there is no such thing as "never clean your gutters again", your home exterior and roofing/gutter system will always need to be maintained.
Yes, as the old saying goes: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
We live on a heavily wooded lot so we installed the leaf guards over our gutters. Seemed OK at first during the fall, but unfortunately the first winter, we ended up with huge ice build up wherever the guards were installed. Second winter same thing. Spring and summer rain just went over the guards, not in the gutters or downspout. Plus squirrels kept pulling them off, so I had the removed, and no ice build up anymore. I just pay someone to climb up and clean them out.
Makes so much sense thanks!
that is good advice. have someone clean them as part of home maintenance plan
Great video. I have a sideline in clearing out gutters in the UK and whenever I go to a place with guards or the brush filters, it is because the gutters have become solid with rotted material that fell through or got stuck and then rotted in place. I have to remove the guards / brushes, clean them, and then clear out the gutters anyway. Like you, I think the cheaper and better option is just to have them cleared out regularly for a relatively small fee.
Exactly. I understand the desire for "maintenance free" homes, but for some things there is no magic wand, you just have to do the work or have it done by somebody else!
I have bought several houses with very expensive gutter gaurd systems. In cold climates, they freeze and back ice inder the shingles and agree that open gutters, cleaned once a year or so is the way to go
Sonewhere in MD tonight, will be an angry salesman! Thx sir!
Amen. Just clean ‘em. If you live near trees in the Northeast, it’s the only way. Roombas don’t replace vacuuming, and gutter guards don’t fix manual labor.
Big problem with leaves from horse chestnut trees 10 feet away. This is invaluable information as l have to clear my gutters sometimes daily in the autumn-spring etc. Good advice thanking you ❤✅🌈
Honestly, as much as we all love the look and the shade of big trees, they really shouldn't be planted that close to a house. Some trees can even undermine the house foundation when that close. No gutter system is going to protect against falling leaves when the tree overhangs the house! If you plan on being in your home for awhile, it may make sense to take down the large trees close to your house, and replant with smaller species such as dogwood or Japanese maple which will stay lower and not fill your gutters with debris.
Personally I use a basic basket in the hole to prevent the vertical gutter to become clugged, which is way more painful to clean. I clean my gutters many times a year (lots of trees) using a powerfull vacuum that has 2 1/2 hose and a gutter cleaner accessory. Shop-vac, Ridgid etc. have that. Now I go into my ladder only half the time and vacuum the rest. You can also use the blow side of the vacuum to, well, blow stuff away (didn't tried that yet)...
Very informative video BTW, thanks.
In some instances they do their job and do it well in most cases they still have to be maintained location is everything sometimes they help normally they just become an issue plus eventually things build up roof granules that end up holding less water than they were originally supposed to they're not working at full capacity when there's an inch of debris on the bottom roofing granules sludge
I wonder if someone made a downspout that went from 10 inches down to 4 inches in a funnel shape if it would stop the gutters from clogging. The funnel shape would introduce circular action into the mix to help move stuck objects potentially.
It is obvious with all of the technology we have if we can put a man on the moon we can surely design a clog free gutter system!
Great vlog. I personally always recommend to my clients to remove all gutter guards. I think they're huge waste of money and give your client a false sense of never having to clean your gutters again. I've repaired 10 times more damage when homes have gutter guards than those that don't. I charge a dollar a foot for a single story house and $2 a foot for two story house and so on. If they have gutter guards and want them kept on that price doubles. If they would like their gutter guards removed is I recommend I charge $0.50 a foot to remove them. If they stay on as a yearly client their cost is only one half of the initial cleaning. $0.50 a foot for the first story $1 for two story with no gutter guards.
That's good information to know. I've had similar experiences as far as the gutter guards. When they actually work it seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Lot's of folks never see their roof up close, though, so damage goes unnoticed.
Great info i was thinking about using these first one on my 2nd story because its a long way up or down especially when both floor have 12ft cellings
I do understand not every homeowner is keen on climbing ladders to clean the gutters, but I would encourage you to find out how much a cleaning service would cost in your area before you install some kind of gutter guards.
Many Thanks for posting this video. After many, many years of struggling with the gutter leaf issue and seeing your video, I'm of the belief that gutter guards are not a solution but a part of the problem. The plastic gutter guards warp during the summer heat, the fine screen on them fails and the gutters eventually clog up. Eventually, I or someone I pay, will have to get up on a ladder and clean them out. In my opinion, I should just remove the plastic guards and discipline myself to clean the gutters or have them cleaned periodically. In addition, when my roof was replaced, the bottom shingle overlaps the gutter so much so that it makes if difficult to fit my hand comfortably in the gutter to clean it out and it allows the rain to run completely off the roof bypassing the gutter during a heavy rain (my front door is behind the waterfall during a heavy rain). My real concern is getting up on a ladder as my front yard has a significant slope and it's a second story roof. My next consideration is a modified leaf blower that may preclude the use of a ladder. Suggestions are welcome. Wish me luck - I'll need it.
You bring up an excellent point I wish I'd mentioned in the video. When roofers install shingles too long, they do make cleaning more difficult and they can also curl downward in the heat and create a trap for debris. Depending on the age of the shingle it may be possible (if painstaking) to trim the long shingles back to where they should be. As for cleanout tricks, there are specialized blower and vac attachments that people make or buy to help with the task. I'm not sure how effective they are. I just use my hands. But, if you are the least bit wary of long ladders just hire a pro to do the job. Sometimes you need to pick your battles. On the second story you may not need to clean out the gutter as often if you don't have trees close by. Pros have access to ladders 40 feet or even longer, although it is a two man job to get it against the house!
I'm in total agreement. Thanks for your reply/comments. Much appreciated!
Totally agree!
In cold climates gutter guards freeze more than k style and form some really impressive icicles
Yep, this is the truth. You summed it all up in 6 1/2 minutes. All of these gutter guards try; but at the end of the day none of them really work.
I have a gutter guard on my one house and works fantastic. It's similar to what you're showing at the beginning of the video. Our mountain house doesn't have a gutter because of the pitch of the roof and where the gutter is in relation to the shingles. A gutter guard won't work. We also deal with the larger leaves such as oak, maple, cherry, etc. No pine needles. I haven't cleaned my gutter guard house in years. The only thing that causes issues is the moss that accumulates on the front. It loses it's water tension and the water will run over. I run a cleaning brush over it once every two years to get that tension back. It works great after that. Haven't cleaned my house gutters in nearly twenty years. Getting ready for a new roof in the next few years so I'll have a few decisions to make.
For some people the gutter guard do work, it just depends on the circumstances. On balance, though, I see more failures than successes.
@@enduringcharm I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. The conditions are just right. My neighbors has them too and they save a lot of work.
I own a gutter company and have a lot of issue with these systems, there are pro..gutter screens out there (not home depot)that work work well in 5" as long as you have flush mounts for drains and k funnels you should not have any issue. 4" you should just leave open and have them clean every year. the only issue with screen is Debris does get in there and because it is so acidic it eats away at your seals and then you get leaking corner so keep that in mind if you get them installed
Thanks for your advice
One important factor that was left out, which should be obvious, is that being the leaves, etc are not falling into the gutters, they will fall in front of one's house, including bird droppings.
Thank you for breaking this down. It's an easy choice thanks to your information. I'd rather pay a guy a few hundred dollars every other year to clean the gutter for me.
I'd love to get my gutters cleaned for $60, in Carmel, IN., it starts at $300.00 which is why I'm looking into gutter guards. Thanks for the video!
Do you have an unusual setup, such as third story gutters, or very steep roof pitches or other barriers to access? For a typical one or two story house $300 is outrageous. If you have access problems maybe it isn't. In either case, you saw in the video my concerns about gutter guards. Perhaps you should look around some more.
My guy quoted $400 to clean mine. Ouch!!! That’s why I’m here. Lol
Quick question - I have a portion of my gutter where it starts that I want to block off entirely - from water mainly - let the water head to the ground. What do you suggest?
Why would you want to do that? Maybe if you can explain your problem in more detail I can help...
I was doing my two story every year. Real pain in the butt. After putting the flat "invisible" screen style guard on, I only need to do it every four years or so. I call that a real win.
Every house is a little different, and I'm sure there are success stories out there. On balance, though, I see more disasters than successes in the course of my work. Seems like you continue to check yours, which is something others do not. Lots of folks put on the guards and believe they never need to check the gutters again.
@@enduringcharm have u heard of birds constantly building nests in the the leaf gard system? Its constantly an issue. Will be trying to call our salesman but don't see a statement about animals guaranteed to stay out unless im overlooking. Cant wait for the bees and wasp nests to start....
Hello, do you have any experience with the Rainhandler? Our backyard slopes down so there would be no/less concern of water pooling buy the foundation), plus the portion I am considering it for is an addition that is elevated on columns, so there is really no foundation in that part anyway.
The problem with having no gutter or something like the rainhandler you mention is twofold. First, there is splash back toward the structure. The water can bounce back up as high as three feet or more. If that splashing is against masonry or rock it may not be too bad, but if it's against any kind of wood it will rot the wood and damage the structure. The second problem is the water creating erosion, either away from the structure or underneath the structure. Yes, you can put down crushed rock and build a channel for the water, but that solution doesn't tend to last long through the seasons. So, you need to examine your circumstances for these issues .
Thanks! As that section is cantilevered and concrete columns, first issue should not be a major one. The second perhaps, although the sloping down of the yard might mitigate that. Thanks again for your advice!
I live in Alabama pine forest area with longleaf yellow pines 50-100 feet tall. It costs $150 to clean my gutters 1-2 times /month in my area. My second story is actually a 4th story on the back side. I used gutter shields in my last house and never had a problem or had to clean them ever again. And I honestly couldn't care less if the water didnt get in the gutter in a heavy storm. When you get it coming into the walls from stuffed gutters, a gutter guard is worth every penny.
It's true that some houses are unique in their structure and make gutter cleaning difficult. Although if you need to clean your gutters once or twice a month then you don't need gutter guards you need a chain saw! From a contractor's perspective, I have done a lot of expensive repairs or even demolition over the years for clients who didn't have functioning gutters. Water is insidious. Buildings require maintenance one way or another, so if you must use some kind of gutter cover then you'll want to pay closer attention to things like rot at the base of the structure from splashback, eroding soil around the structure, and rotting fascia boards.
What a great video! I just had new gutters installed last year, and they kinda droop, and they’re five inch (don’t know why they put in such big ones). Btw…they were drooping at install, so it wasn’t debris. It’s like you can see the facia board more exposed at the corners of the house…kinda stretched from the prior gutters. Should smaller round ones installed so I’ll get a cleaner look and is there something special that needs to be done do they don’t droop? Can the facia board be replaced to get firmer more “true” ones installed? ❤ Thanks again for the great information!
I'd have to see the problem in person, but based on your description my guess is that they did not use enough hangers, or didn't install the hangers into the rafter ends, or both. However, I caution that gutters are supposed to be installed at a slight angle toward the leaders so that water will run off. If the "drooping" you see is even or straight across the whole gutter then you may just be looking at the installed angle. If the gutter is drooping between hangers or it looks wavy, then they didn't do it right.
@@enduringcharm Thanks for responding and getting through my typos. I know what you mean, that there should be a slight fall to the downspout. This looks more severe. My neighbors don’t have this going on, even with the same house design. I have a small ranch. When I saw this at install, they told me it should be slanted, and that it was a good install. Despite that, it looks like an eyesore to me, with room for improvement. Since you had shown the facia board, which I never heard of before, I was wondering if they do get misshapen, and if they can be replaced?
If you see an actually waviness to the top of the gutter, or it sort of weaves in and out relative to the fascia board, then you could have somebody take a look to see if more hangers could be installed, or perhaps the whole gutter realigned. It's possible the gutter could be realigned without damage. However, if there is actual crimping or creases you see already, then there's little you can do.
I have Gutter Guard gutters and I can tell you definitively that they DO NOT work. They are useless. AND you Do have to clean them at least as often as standard old-school gutters.
My parents installed gutter guards right before I moved into a second house they own, and now I have a problem when it rains tons of water pours between the house and the covered patio. I'm tempted to remove the guards at least in that section.
I'd have to see it in person, but it's quite possible the gutter guards are causing or exacerbating the problem.
If you have a low pitched roof then solid gutter guards work great. They cost $0.9 cents per linear foot for the plastic ones or $3.58 if you buy a box for 4 foot long guards. Not sure yet about the costs of the aluminum ones. I am going to compare the prices on the two of them. I'm installing these for a customer.
We put the plastic ones on and they worked great the first year until the squirrels discovered the covered gutter made for a perfect habitat and they started chewing holes in the covers AND the ALUMINUM gutters!!! 😡
I've always been wary of the design with the slit that water is supposed to curl around and fall into the gutter. Here in the country I have no doubt they'd be packed with wasp nests in no time.
our house is surrounded by gigantic native maple trees, with the helicopter seeds and small red debris.For the last 2 years I have tried just cleaning out the gutters, with myself as the cheap maintenance guy. There is so much being shed from the trees, over such a large portion of the year, that trying to keep the gutters cleaned out (otherwise they get clogged in various places in the water just runs over the edge) is Incredibly time consuming. We also have more than one level of gutters, and I don't like walking on the roof so much, as it can't be good for the shingles. I have tried the screens in the downspouts, and they get clogged by almost nothing, and then I have tried not putting screens in downspout, and the connections and angles that hug to the roof line get clogged very quickly especially on the screws, and must be completely removed from the House 2 unclog them. My point is, I am going to have to get some sort of gutter guard, given my particular tree situation. Maybe some sort of waterproof mini fan system, that would run when it is dry outside, would be effective. I have used a leaf blower to clean them out, but like I said they fill up more than once a week.
Every house is a little different. "Dirty" trees can be a real hassle and while I understand your frustration, you'll still need to be vigilant if you install gutter guards. What I often see is that the problem is transferred to another area. Maybe you keep the leaves and spinners out of the gutters, but now the guards may clog or they may prevent good water collection from the roof. Rain flows over the guards and splashes down by the foundation. In a few years you have rotted trim or siding, or worse things such as an undermined foundation.
Without knowing the specifics of your situation, you might consider removing the trees right next to the house. In general it's a bad idea to have any trees so close to the house because they tend to hold moisture near the house, leading to mildew and rot, they tend to send root systems into bad places, and they tend to drop debris. Sometimes it's better to just remove the source of the problem than to spend years fighting the symptoms.
We have maples, oaks, hickory, sweet gums (that I abhor) and long needle pine. I feel your pain. We've decided that the sweet gums and pines anywhere near the house and our 100 yd long driveway are getting cut down. As much as I HATE to cut trees down, this has become a necessity for our sanity. 😬
What if after every storm or really windy day, I have a gutter getting clogged? Cut the trees back? Is it normal to have to clean a gutter after every rain or before every rain if you have a couple trees hanging over your home?
Well, it's tough to judge without seeing the problem in person, but speaking generally there shouldn't be trees hanging over a house at all. There shouldn't be large trees even close to the house. Aside from branches and leaves falling, they tend to hold moisture against the house and encourage moss, lichen and rot. That said, it's not uncommon for large trees to already have been planted too close to the house, and you are forced to make a decision about cutting back or cutting down. If you really are attached to the trees, you should at least have an arborist cut back the branches overhanging the house. You may also find that larger gutters will more easily allow the debris to pass, rather than clog. And, I believe that half-round gutters seem to clear more easily than K-style gutters. So, the answer is probably a mix of cutting back the trees and improving the gutter system. On the other hand, if you have no love for the trees anyway, then cut them down within, say, 30-40 feet of the house and be done.
Do you show how to remove gutter gards like the first one you showed?
Removing can sometimes be a pain, since some of them are integrated with the lower course of shingles. And, each house will have idiosyncrasies of the installation to deal with. I'm afraid it would take a lot of videos to cover all that. If you are uncertain, it's best to call a gutter company in your local area.
Just bought a house that has gutter guards (screens) on one side because of a large oak tree that almost overhangs the house on that side. My concern really isn't the leaves in the gutters - those are easy to clean - but that they go down the downspouts and either clog those pipes or go farther into the perforated pipe and plug up the whole water mitigation system. That would be a really expensive mess to fix since it would mean digging up hundreds of feet of pipe and rock. Not sure about the screens, but definitely want something to keep the debris out of the downspouts.
I understand your concern. They do make guards that just sit in the downspout hole. They will keep debris out, but they also routinely clog. You need to keep up with cleaning them several times a year.
@@enduringcharm I think the reality is that you are going to have to do some routine maintenance no matter what. My previous house was surrounded by cedar trees that plugged the gutters every 3-4 weeks. With the eves almost 25' in the air it was outside of my comfort zone and it cost several hundred dollars to get them cleaned (and the last time they missed one whole gutter). Glad to only have one easy to reach gutter to worry about now!
So I recently purchased a home with these on them. I think they are gutter helmets? Not for sure though on the brand, but they are screwed down. I want them gone, but can't find a video on how to remove them ...any advice?
It's hard for me to say without seeing it in person, but you should be careful about the remaining gutters and the roofing in that area. It could be damaged during removal. You might consider finding a local roofer to take a look for you.
Hey John, how to you rate FlipClean Gutter system? I'm in the process now, but wished I'd seen your video first and just keep what I have and pay someone $300 per cleaning. I'm in the Northeast so I have to do it twice per year.
I had never heard of this Flipclean system until you mentioned it, but I looked up the website. Interesting concept, but the devil is in the details. I would wonder about long term alignment and how the gutters fit in relation to the roof shingle edges, which tend to droop downward over time. Icing in winter would be a concern as well. Of course, dumping a gutter full of wet leaves, dirt and shingle granules to fall against the exterior wall or onto a porch roof or deck only creates a different problem! But, I've never come across the system in real life, so I can only speculate.
Thank you@@enduringcharmT
Downspouts are too small, thats where the clog begins, I had the larger ones put in last year, 4x3 I think, no cogs since now I need the other half done it still gets plugged up, trees all around, thanks, good video!
OK, since you are a reasonable, knowledgeable person, you earn my crazy question of the day - do you know of any system that simply removes the end cap from the gutter and allows the water to exit the gutter by shooting out the end? Eliminate the downspout altogether. I ask because I have a few locations in which the water is collected from the roof over the house, but then conveyed to a downspout adjacent to the garage or the front porch. Neither of those structures has a basement, so I'm not concerned about putting the water there. Or at least, I think the trade off might be worth it. The real question is how to do this in a controlled manner, that won't create a scour hole in the ground where the water hits. As I say, crazy question, but we have a lot of white pine near our ranch-style house, so I don't think that the gutter guards will work, and we have deep eaves, which make it tough to get to the gutters without leaning the ladder against them.
There are two primary reasons for gutters. One is to collect the rain from the roof and divert it away from the foundation so that the foundation itself doesn't become undermined over time. The other is to prevent rain water from dripping off the roof, hitting the ground, and splashing back up at the house where it can cause rotted wood over time. If the latter seems far fetched, last week I worked with a partner to replace about 20 feet of sill, rim joist and related framing under the wall of a house that had no gutters. That 20 feet of wall was resting on air and it's still a mystery to me why the house didn't collapse. Over time the splash back from the roof dripping on the ground kept the wood framing wet and it eventually rotted completely away. Similarly, water from downspouts or poor grading can collect in one area and undermine a foundation over time. It's important to note that all foundations are subject to this issue, including concrete slabs without a basement.
To get to your question, can a gutter end cap be left off? Yes. But, this strategy would lead to both a concentration of water in one area and significant splash-back onto what is likely a corner of the structure. Not good. There is a design fad these days to go without gutters at all. In this design, the perimeter of the house is fitted with an underground drainage system and covered with crushed rock. The idea is that water will drip off the roof, filter through the crushed rock and drain away through the underground pipes. I have several concerns about this. Over time the crushed rock will fill with debris unless the homeowner is meticulous. In areas with cold winters ice could also build up in the rock, preventing water flow. Over time I fear the system will be compromised. And, this underground drainage system only addresses the problem of concentrated water undermining the foundation--it doesn't help the splash-back problem. In some cases the wood framing and siding of the house is located well above the splash-back area if there is a masonry basement wall or similar construction. Even that masonry, though, can take a beating from continuous water.
So, what to do about your issue? The white pine needles are really troublesome and I don't like white pines located near a house anyway. They shed branches easily in winds or under snow loads, the roots can be invasive near a foundation, and the needle drop during seasonal changes is a pain. So, I think you should consider taking down any white pines within a few dozen feet of the house. It's hard for me to offer advice on the gutter system over the interweb, but there is usually a way to fit gutters properly so that water is directed without concentrating too much in one place. It may be that moving to a six inch gutter from the typical four inch will give you more capacity both to handle the water and to tolerate a certain amount of debris in the gutters. There are mounting systems which will allow you to place a ladder directly against the gutter without issue (pipe foam insulation or a rag on the ladder prevents scratching). You may need to search for a thoughtful contractor in your area to come up with a good gutter design. Many of these guys are of the wham-bam-thank you ma'am variety. Leaving the end cap off, though, is probably not the best idea.
Thanks for the detailed response - I hadn't intended for you to spend so much time at it. But definitely thanks. As to the substance of my concern, the rationale for leaving off the end cap is that gutters generally clog first at the inlet to the downspout, and leaving the cap off would eliminate that concern. Obviously, as you point out, there are other problems with gutters that are not addressed by this approach, some of which are even exacerbated by it. The arguments in favor of this approach for my particular situation would take way too long to detail here, so I'll just leave it that it may make sense for my situation particularly. However, you have answered my overall question: no, that is not done commonly, and there's no standard design for such an approach. Thanks.
Ain't, I imagine you have resolved your gutter issue by now but I just wanted to pass this info along. Years ago my grandfather had gutters with no end caps on some of his out buildings on the farm. He used bricks or flat rocks on the ground where the gutter discharge landed. These areas were sizable enough to allow for the variable velocity of the "waterfall". Drips directly below the end of the spouting and deluges landing a bit farther away. He placed metal on some buildings at ground level to prevent the splash from damaging either wood or concrete. They were the old half round gutters by the way. And they all stayed totally clean and clear despite nearby trees.
Been telling people for years all these GUTTER jokes if your in any area that gets cold enough to snow the screens & yes all of them freeze then freezes solid then the rain or snow starts to freeze getting bigger & bigger (ice dams) then welcome to the killer icicles everywhere only creating crazy weight then GUTTERS pulling away from the house then water getting behind the gutter further freezing & rotting the wood & forget about the bugs & animals what I did in the fall do a good cleaning then over troubled spots & specially doorways I ran what's called heat tape just a piece in the bottom of the gutter over stairs or entrance points the one down the nearest leader all controlled by there own in line thermostat or you can even buy a little 3 outlet block like the kind you would use to make a single outlet into three but its orange & lights up once on & has a built in thermostat to only turn on when cold enough to freeze & trust me all this is now expensive ordeal & will save way more then the cost immediately not a savings over time not to mention no more frozen stairs that the icicles will create dripping all day in sunlight then making the steps & entrance way an ice rink by dusk & remember that every single day so hope this helps I've been trying to pass these suggestions on before getting hosed out of thousands of dollars to only be in a much worse a predicament then just cleaning the gutters once or twice a year....good luck
half round seems easier to clean as well.
First time I seen those type of gutter guards or gutter helmets was at a home show. The guy was talking up a big talk about how great they were. They would demonstrate how it worked with a little flow of water and would drop some leaves on them and the leaves washed off. What were the leaves? Plastic leaves. I looked at that and said what a waste of money. No way that will work with real leaves and a heavy downpour. And thankfully I didn't buy that junk! Demonstrate...the devil is in the details!
my mother has a neighbour with 8 trees with pine needles. I'm up there 3-4 times a year de-clogging her gutters and down spouts. it's a nightmare, and nothing I have seen online offers protection from pine needles.
Yeah, the pine needles are a mess. They tend to shed branches in the winter storms, too. White pines really don't belong near houses.
20190208: PROBLEM. In bush Fire zones, the gutters need to be always fee of leaves.
Another downside to the guards and screen comes when you reroof a house. Particularly with the screens in that all the loose granules from the shingles can fall into the gutter and clog it up pretty fast as well and nails tend to get stuck in the holes. I would rather clean a gutter without guards or screens than have remove them to clean them.
Yes, the granules are a fact of life with asphalt shingles. With an open gutter they don't tend to cause much grief.
Good vid, Can you give us some tips on how to use a hammer ;) Just kidding this video was very helpful thanks.
Another non affiliated roof guy recommends the cheap aluminium mesh saying that they do get blocked but they are not so difficult to unclip and clean, and cheap, and get blocked less than gutters.
Of course, much depends on the amount and type of trees around your home, as well as other circumstances of nature. Still, if you need to unclip the screens every so often, couldn't you just leave them off and clean every so soften instead?
enduringcharm Not if you contend with 3 Maple Trees like I do. The Maple seeds clog a 4" gutter faster than I can keep up and it takes 3 cleanings to keep it from clogging. I would rather wipe a mesh screen than try and dig into the downspout to pry out the seeds. The only concern I have is that ANY screen will restrict how much water is caught by the gutters. Here in Florida we get gushers some days that cause Niagra Falls over the gutters anyways, so perhaps I just need 5-6" inch gutters with wider down spouts.
I would worry more about the heavy down pours restricting the waterflow with gutter guards.
That's a valid concern--I often see water flying off the roof of houses with guards.
I got frogs and mosquitoes living in my gutter thanks to gutter guard creating a nice clogged leaves gutter. I’m removing all my guard after this and chop any trees near it
Another thing you could have mentioned is that gutter guards are not totally maintenance free. And they are are more difficult to clean when it needs to be done.
True. Picking debris out of little holes or screens is no fun!
My thoughts for years, man has fought gutters for years,I am for paying someone also, it's like lawn mower prices today are what I paid for a good car at one time,it's all Gimmick BS to get your money, just proves that sometimes you just have to do things!
This seems to be assuming the person considering gutter guards is looking for totally maintenance-free gutters instead of reducing the required maintenance.
As someone who has had totally clogged gutters twice this fall already (trees near house), if some screens help shed the majority of the leaves and reduce maintenance to a high-power jet of water through the screen every year or two, that's a win for me.
I think I did mention in the video or in the comments somewhere that some people (like you) may have unusual circumstances such as a lot of trees near the house. Every house has different circumstances, so you can't generalize.
this advise is the best do not put gutter covers if you have pine trees. No gutter guard will work if there is pine trees or other trees. I am going to take
all gutter guards fail eventually...Gutter Filter...which basically deteriorates from the sun....gets my attention for being the worst
Good to know!
60-80 to clean gutters? I wish! The least expensive I've found is $250
It will vary widely depending on where you live and especially on the style of your house. If physical access is difficult it will cost more, of course. But, if you get on a schedule with a gutter cleaning company it should be less expensive.
I have a neighbor that spent 18 grand on the so called leaf filter gutter system here in alabama, needless to say 18 grand wasted. They are constantly having issues with the junk stopping up. They claim to have a lifetime or some so called money back if not satisfied. They refuse to do anything. Like John states here don't waste your money find a dependable person to do it, me i blow mine out with my gas leaf blower and give them a rinse out with the water hose.
Wow. I can't imagine spending 18K in the first place! You could pay a service $500 a year to clean your gutters and still get 36 years out of your money!
@@enduringcharm I have gutters with no screens but i dont have trees close to my house, he has trees everywhere oaks, pines so there you go.
Gutter Brush, Gutter worm brush or Hedge Hog Gutter Brush. Work well. Easy to install and easy to clean off. Low price.
My gutters would definitely need cleaning more than 1 or twice a year. Monthly would be more like it.
Every house is unique. If you have trees directly overhanging the house, though, it may be time to consider taking some of them out. They can cause a lot of problems when too close, including roof shingle damage from moss or algae, accelerated rot from holding moisture close to the house, and foundation issues when roots get invasive.
@@enduringcharm Thanks for the tips but I love my trees and they are not technically in my yard so it is not really an option. What I really need is a rain gutter solution which, as the video points out, is not as clear cut as one would imagine. I think I have worked it out though. Thanks again :)
Don't kill bees!
I'm aware of the bee/pollination problem. Actually, what I find in gutters is usually not bees but wasps--I was just speaking loosely during the video. In any case, sometimes when working on a house critters become endangered. In addition to bugs, I also find bats, raccoons, squirrels, groundhogs, mice, rats, and other critters hiding in houses!
After constantly dinking around with my gutters for the past couple decades I've concluded that gutters in general are a piss poor solution to the water runoff problem. They require WAY too much maintenance. Gutter Guards etc are just putting lipstick on a pig.
Some homeowners can get away without gutters if their masonry foundation is well above the ground and/or if they take steps to minimize splashback and runoff from rain coming off the roof. For many, though, gutters are a necessary evil.
Extra wide soffits. :)
The best gutter guard of all is the HOME OWNER doing regular maintenance by cleaning the gutters. Also, remove all trees near the house. That’s what I do. 👍
Clearing trees too close to the house is definitely something all homeowners need to think about. It's not just for the gutters, either, the roots can cause foundation issues and the foliage on big trees can hold moist air near the house causing rot in the long term.
I have installed gutter covers for a looong time and this install is mediocre. It's not Gutter Helmet it looks like Gutter Topper. Where I am from they went under years ago. The real problem is GH owns the patent for a textured panel that helps hold water to the metal. None them are perfect but this one is not very good.
I install gutter for a living and I can assure you that gutter guard is useless and does more harm than good.
amazing: the solution is to get up there and clean the gutters. lmao.😅 i'm only judging those who completely have the ability to do it, but are too lazy or haughty.
"Gutter guards" or "Gutter covers" are the all encompassing general terms applied to ALL gutter protection. However, "Gutter Helmet" is a specific brand name that is professionally installed and generally not sold to D.I.Y. homeowners. Simple as that.
I was hoping you know... You were going to run some water so we can see a demonstration
Running a hose over a roof would be something you might see in a commercial for one of these products. But that would miss the point entirely. It wouldn't tell you anything about fascia rot, bees or wasps, long term collection of debris, etc. It wouldn't even show how the product worked to collect water, since a heavy rainstorm delivers far more water than a garden hose. That's why I made the video--to discuss the long term effects you don't see on a commercial.
@@enduringcharm & candi soda - and SQUIRRELS making a home in covered gutters and trying to destroy your house by chewing holes everywhere!!!! 😡
This is my 200th RUclips video I have seen on gutter guards in the last few weeks. My conclusion: chop some trees, which I did (cost me $3300), no gutter guards for me, and hire a cleaning guy twice a year.
Nobody today is doing it less than over $100. And they will also recommend to do it twice a year.
Pricing for gutter cleaning will depend on your region of the country, your house (a ranch will be cheaper than a 3 story Victorian), whether you have a contract or not, and other factors. Some areas may not have a dedicated gutter cleaning service but a roofer or handyman might do the work. It will vary. The frequency you need the cleaning will also vary widely. But, to use your figures, if the cost is $250 a year, then that's 15-20 years of cleaning before you get to the cost of a gutter guard system. Regardless, I don't like the systems anyway. If you haven't seen this video yet, check it out: ruclips.net/video/YWw_6CSCdXU/видео.html
Did the cows ever come home?
Stupid cows. They must have got lost.
Your video saved me money. Was about to take the hit and have the entire house fitted with the screen type. Just going to have them cleaned a few times a year. Thanks !
That's one mean smashing your thumb has taken there...that nail will be black for a good 4 months
Par for the course. I walk around with one injury or another every day, although I think that thumb might have been from working on my Jeep. Sometimes Jeeps bite back if they are cornered!
@@enduringcharm haha indeed. I myself just got the black off of a nail after 5 months from smashing my finger on my Jeep while fixing
I bet you sell gutter screens, I have gutter helmets for the last 7 years and have never had the problems you are talking about, if the helmet is installed correctly, it will work as it is supposed to
Ha! No, I don't sell screens or guards, I repair the damage caused by them. You've had a good experience with yours, but that doesn't mean that they all work well. As an example, see this video I made about what can happen when gutter guards don't work: ruclips.net/video/YWw_6CSCdXU/видео.html
expensive home for bees paid for by consumer. Leaves solution , move/remove trees.
Exactly don't cover the gutters. Thank you
Brought to this site because quote is $350
For a cleaning? That could be, depending on the style of your house and the access.
You supposed to hit the metal nail not your thumb nail.
I knew I was doing something wrong...