Off topic: Gutters

Kevin_7

I know this isn't a heating question, but I've gotten some good advice here in the past, so I thought I'd try again (even if it's not heat-related).

I'm not a big fan of climbing around on rooftops, and my gutters could use some work. I'm looking into my options. Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with covered gutters, either with screens installed, or the kind with the lid made to shed debris and collect just the runoff? I'm guessing they might be more of a pain than they're worth, but thought I'd ask around...

Thanks in advance for any comments -
kevin.

jackchips_2

Hi Kevin,'

> I know this isn't a heating question, but I've

> gotten some good advice here in the past, so I

> thought I'd try again (even if it's not

> heat-related).

>

> I'm not a big fan of climbing

> around on rooftops, and my gutters could use some

> work. I'm looking into my options. Has anyone

> had any experience (good or bad) with covered

> gutters, either with screens installed, or the

> kind with the lid made to shed debris and collect

> just the runoff? I'm guessing they might be more

> of a pain than they're worth, but thought I'd ask

> around...

>

> Thanks in advance for any comments

> - kevin.

jackchips_2

Hi Kevin,

I had "Gutter Helmet" installed on the gutters over two years ago and have not been on the roof to clean them since. It used to be necessary to do it at least four times a year.

I had hesitated to install them until a friend of mine, who has a three story, large colonial had them done and he assured me they worked and that's what I have found.

I am located in Leaf Hell-Central Mass.

Jack

Kevin_7

I know how it goes

Thanks for the promising news - I have two HUGE maple trees on opposite sides of the house, along with a rather large walnut, and one more average-sized maple. I'm constantly raking the yard and emptying gutters. Step one has been to get everything trimmed back away from the house as much as possible. Now I hope I can find a gutter solution that works.

Thanks again.
kevin.

Carl PE

.

The gutter helmet looks like a neat product, but I'm afraid to call and get a price..

My dad put some of the black plastic mesh on his. It works ok, but once in a while you still have to clean it out. The stems of the leaves drop into the mesh and get caught.

I just use a leaf-blower once or twice a year. Messy, but effective.

Jeff Lawrence_24

Our house

We just bought this house and it had gutter covers installed when they put the new roof on about a year ago. the 'gutter helmet' covers are fine unless we're getting hit with the leftover rains from the hurricanes.

The only problem I have with them is with the (in my opinion) installation. This roof is kinda chopped up and there are about 4 places where the rain drops out of a gutter on to the roof, heading for another gutter to be carried away from the house. These smaller openings do get clogged and I have had to go up on a 6 foot ladder to clear the openings.

Jeff

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Phil_8

gutter helmet & leaf guard gutters

I have been told that they work fine. If have a very steep pitched roof some of the water runs over the gutter in a heavy rain storm. The velocity of the rain water is to great to make that sharp down turn around the helmet into the gutter.

Dr Pepper

Gutter covers at Lowe's

Bought vinyl plastic covers 3 years ago. They slide under the shingle and clip to the outer edge. I got the more expensive ones with a fine mess screening and there GREAT!!! I have trees all around my house and cleaning gutters was a weekly chore and they still clogged up. The whole 2800 sq/ft ranch house cost only $300 - $400 ?? I think, and a days work.
Good luck.

Boilerpro_3

Hi,Art, and the old fashioned solution

I have a big old home and went the old fashined way when it came to gutters....free hanging half rounds. They are self cleaning because due to the round the water velocity stays high in the gutter no matter how light or heavy the rain. Thats why drain pipes are round instead of square... the typical K style gutters with the flat bottom don't make sense.
If the half rounds fill with ice in the winter they won't back up onto the roof becaue they hang free of the roof... No problems with Ice dams and no need for ice and water shield under your shngles. The only occasional problen is an elbow may get clogged and that will probably be soved with opening up the crimp. We've been here 13 years and after the first cleaning we have only had to clean a short section here or there every 3 or 4 years.


Boilerpro

Kevin_7

Thanks guys

It sounds like there are several options that may work. Hopefully I can figure out which would be the most effective (both functionally and cost-wise). If anyone else has any more stories/experiences to share, I'd love to hear them.

thanks again.
kevin.

Joe Grosso

My pet peeve with gutter systems

is what happens to the water after it comes down the spout. Most older homes, built by Dead Men who knew their foundations were not watertight, had drains to carry the water out to the street or alley. But I have never seen a gutter or roofing contractor (at least in the Baltimore area) who knew enough to run newly installed spouts into the drains. They just put elbows on the bottom, the water is dumped near the foundation and goes right into the basement!

I've solved a few wet-basement problems by hooking the spouts to the drains, and clearing or repairing the drains where needed.

Gordy

gutters

Kevin, If you are going to install new gutters,and going with K style go with 5". Also utilize the 5" down spouts (howitzer style). When installing the down spout instead of going with a 45 elbow back under the overhang right away use a 1' straight piece of down spout then return with your 45 back under the overhang, looks odd at first but helps keep elbows clear. Agree with other posters, I have Burr oaks comes with acorns, twigs,leaves,and all. Screens tend to plug after a while and gutter gaurds shed some water in heavy rain, especially in valleys. They keep you off the roof and out of the gutters though. Also run water 10' minimum away from house.

Constantin

Good plan...

I am going to experiment with something different, a UV-hardened open-cell foam that is put into the gutters. Allegedly, it will not allow anything but water through, while being self-cleaning, etc. One version of this kind of incarnation is known as the Gutter Filter.

Time will tell if the debris raining on the house will no longer clog the downspouts as they have in the past...

jerry scharf_3

Let us know how it works this fall

Constantin,

It looks like it makes sense in one way and not in another. I'm particularly curious as to whether blown down litter and fines cause the gutter to wash over. We have a rain to sump setup and keeping the trash out of it is an attractive idea. I know you're collecting your water, so it make great sense in that case.

jerry

Constantin

Will do!

It's the least I can do if there is interest in the results. Cheers!

Dale

Open downspouts

I am a big fan of the commercial 3 sided open downspouts, and as someone else said the larger gutters. With the open downspout you can often get the hose stream up into the return to loosen the blockage. Maybe they don't look good enough for the front of the house but the back is OK.

john_27

Constantin...it will work in all but those drenching downpours thatCambridge gets...also, I suspect the filters will have to be pressured washed every so often to prevent dirt build up...But...a very creative solution!...John

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Definite Interest in the Results

That system sure looks like it has real promise.

Have been carefully watching numerous homes with the "gutter helmets".

They do a very good job of keeping out leaves, sticks, etc.

What they DON'T keep out is slate particles from asphalt composition shingles. Nearly ½" thick now at one house. Some "flowers" from trees also make their way in--particularly the long, spongy, spindly things from some oaks, some maples, etc. You can't even fit in a hose to flush without removing a section and since it's installed under shingles you beg for leaks removing and replacing...