New Gutters 101

[nmanning19]

I need some education on getting new gutters, what options do I have. I am thinking of the ones that have leaf guard since we have a few trees that blow leaves into them every fall. Any help would be appreciated before I meet with some sales guys.

 

[disney212]

We got leaf guard gutters 3 years ago. We live in an old tree filled neighborhood.
The gutters we replaced had the 1970's style screens and were full of build up. We went with the full coverage seamless ones. We love them. We did have a local well respected company install them.

 

[artesian]

Had new gutter put in 2 years ago. We also went with seamless. They look cleaner and with the less seams less likely to develop area to leak imho. Also went with http://www.gutterhelmet.com. After fiddling with many leaf gaurds on the market this by far works the best for us. If you do go with the helmets please make sure you add to the contract they will cap the ends of the gutters. My contractor screwed me on that part and birds wound up building nests in mine. I had to cap the ends myself to take care of the issue. Aside from that the helmets themselves work great

 

[Wally world]

I need some education on getting new gutters, what options do I have. I am thinking of the ones that have leaf guard since we have a few trees that blow leaves into them every fall. Any help would be appreciated before I meet with some sales guys.

I'm a contactor I believe I can help. Get seamless gutters. I wouldn't get gutter guards unless your house is either too steep to walk on, or you are not physical able to get on the roof. All gutters should be cleaned out by thanksgiving. I have sold thousands of gutter guards from mesh, to aluminum. Bottom line, make sure you know where the contractor is installing the downspouts. Add more spouts if needed. Make sure water isn't draining in places they shouldn't via walkways, doors, basements etc.. Have the contractor install screw in brackets instead of nails. Make sure they don't sub out the work. Millions of decisions, Go with a reputable contactor and your gut.

have a good day, hope this helps.

 

[Judique]

All gutters should be cleaned out by thanksgiving. .

So are you saying that all those leaf guards and helmets and screens are basically useless?

Because that's what I believe.

I definitely agree with seamless and positioning of downspouts. Great advice.

 

[Wally world]

So are you saying that all those leaf guards and helmets and screens are basically useless?

Because that's what I believe.

I definitely agree with seamless and positioning of downspouts. Great advice.

Yes essentially useless. I try to discourage homeowner's from purchasing them. Usually we install them on 3 story homes with loads of trees, that are too steep even for roofers to feel comfy. Gutter salesman will tell you different about gutter guards. There is a nice mark up on gutter guards. I can show you a BS demonstration with gutter helmets how the water flows in at a nice steady pace, they have a lifetime warranty, they look great, blah, blah blah. Water doesn't flow soft and steady from a roof, half of the water goes over the helmet when its raining hard. But not many people know that since nobody stands outside when its pouring, starring at gutters.

 

[LJSquishy]

I personally wouldn't spend money on leaf guards. You still have to clean them out because they only keep leaves out...not dirt and tiny particles which form sludge in your gutters.

We just got aluminum seamless gutters on our house last spring and they are so nice. We did not put leaf guards on them. The company we hired did an amazing job on the downspouts so they hug the curves of our house nicely and blend in really well.

 

[tvguy]

My mom got leaf guard gutters. Best part is, if they do clog, the contractor comes out for free to clean them.

 

[si-am]

We just got new gutters last year. We went with the basic "cheapies" but compared to our old, cracked, leaky ones, they are top of the line! We live on a wooded lot, and my husband gets up on the roof to clean them a few times a year, mostly in the fall and early winter when we're dealing with poplars and oaks. He hates it but honestly it doesn't take him that long to do it each time.