Home and Auto Gutter covers: Scam or Nirvana?

Groves · 10-13-2011, 10:02 PM

Gutter Guards. Gutter Helmets. Crap Covers. Leaf Magnets.

They go by many names. All of them purport to be even more awesome than DaKCMan AP.

We know that's not even possible, but are any of them worth buying?

I'm not expecting non-maintenance bliss, because that's not the real world.

Our seamed and rusted through gutters are getting the boot soon, and I wondered what the CP 8-ball has to say about the guards.

I already climb up whenever needed and scoop out the rich soil that was once leaves and maple seeds. I expect to need to hose out my gutters now and then.

Do the guards work? Worth the price?

I'm leaning towards ez-lock small hole at this point. My neighbor has the large hole version. It never met a maple seed that it didn't detain.

Dispense. Wisdom.

**Bugeater** · 10-13-2011, 10:03 PM

I wouldn't waste my money on them. Stuff will work its way into your gutters anyway and then it will be 100x more of a pain in the ass to clean them.

**Rain Man** · 10-13-2011, 10:07 PM

I ran the numbers on them for my house and determined that i could pay to get the gutters cleaned every year for something like 20 years if i didn't pay for gutter guards.

burt · 10-13-2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groves

Gutter covers: Scam or Nirvana?

What did Scam play? Did it ever make the airwaves? You should make a poll.

KurtCobain · 10-13-2011, 10:58 PM

In this lifetime

10-14-2011, 12:11 AM

The helmet is good stuff. The rest of it is moderately okay... you kinda get what you pay for. Something is better than nothing at all especially if you have a lot of leaves falling on your roof.

Bottom line is poorly cleaned gutters causes about 80% of the wood rot I repair. Repairing wood rot can get expensive in a hurry. If you're not diligent about climbing a ladder to clean your gutters then a gutter cover might be a wise choice.

Inspector · 10-14-2011, 05:44 AM

I finally got old enough where the ladder scares me. I had Leave Guard gutters installed last year. I have 4 huge sycamore trees plus other in my backyard and more trees in the front so I get plenty of leaves.

Mine were pretty pricey but so far they have worked great. The only issue I have is a leak in one corner that I need them to repair (I still need to get that scheduled) and the fact that they tend to aid in the formation of icicles in winter.

I haven't needed to use the lifetime warranty to come and clean them if they ever did get clogged so I can't say how good that is but I do like them and don't regret the investment. We have a nicely finished downstairs and want to ensure it doesn't get flooded. Like Phil said, delayed maintenance on your gutters can cause huge problems. Heck, in my opinion, delayed maintenance on ANYTHING is a huge expense. (Homes, cars, yourself, etc...)

Good luck!

chefs fan in omaha · 10-14-2011, 05:49 AM

The jury is out. About half my customers that have them think they are great. The other half say they are a waste off money. I am an Arborist

Infidel Goat · 10-14-2011, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspector

I haven't needed to use the lifetime warranty to come and clean them if they ever did get clogged so I can't say how good that is but I do like them and don't regret the investment.

I think that's what sold me on them. Buy it from a reputable company that will come and clean it for free if they ever get clogged.

Life's short enough as it is. I didn't want to shorten it more by falling off my roof...

Mr. Plow · 10-14-2011, 07:17 AM

Had some at my old house. It was fairly cheap stuff bought from either Lowe's/Home Depot. They weren't perfect, but the kept out the bulk of the leaves and I didn't have any clogs.

Like Phobia said, something is better than nothing.

10-13-2011, 10:02 PM
Groves Turning the Corner Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Springfield, Missouri Casino cash: $2188541	Gutter covers: Scam or Nirvana? Gutter Guards. Gutter Helmets. Crap Covers. Leaf Magnets. They go by many names. All of them purport to be even more awesome than DaKCMan AP. We know that's not even possible, but are any of them worth buying? I'm not expecting non-maintenance bliss, because that's not the real world. Our seamed and rusted through gutters are getting the boot soon, and I wondered what the CP 8-ball has to say about the guards. I already climb up whenever needed and scoop out the rich soil that was once leaves and maple seeds. I expect to need to hose out my gutters now and then. Do the guards work? Worth the price? I'm leaning towards ez-lock small hole at this point. My neighbor has the large hole version. It never met a maple seed that it didn't detain. Dispense. Wisdom.
Posts: 2,380

10-13-2011, 10:03 PM	#2
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	I wouldn't waste my money on them. Stuff will work its way into your gutters anyway and then it will be 100x more of a pain in the ass to clean them.
Posts: 70,443

10-13-2011, 10:07 PM	#3
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3138491 VARSITY	I ran the numbers on them for my house and determined that i could pay to get the gutters cleaned every year for something like 20 years if i didn't pay for gutter guards. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,585

10-13-2011, 10:58 PM	#5
KurtCobain legend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Independence, MO Casino cash: $-1687903	In this lifetime
Posts: 28,380

10-14-2011, 12:11 AM	#6
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	The helmet is good stuff. The rest of it is moderately okay... you kinda get what you pay for. Something is better than nothing at all especially if you have a lot of leaves falling on your roof. Bottom line is poorly cleaned gutters causes about 80% of the wood rot I repair. Repairing wood rot can get expensive in a hurry. If you're not diligent about climbing a ladder to clean your gutters then a gutter cover might be a wise choice.
Posts: n/a

10-14-2011, 05:44 AM	#7
Inspector MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: K.C. Casino cash: $9924975	I finally got old enough where the ladder scares me. I had Leave Guard gutters installed last year. I have 4 huge sycamore trees plus other in my backyard and more trees in the front so I get plenty of leaves. Mine were pretty pricey but so far they have worked great. The only issue I have is a leak in one corner that I need them to repair (I still need to get that scheduled) and the fact that they tend to aid in the formation of icicles in winter. I haven't needed to use the lifetime warranty to come and clean them if they ever did get clogged so I can't say how good that is but I do like them and don't regret the investment. We have a nicely finished downstairs and want to ensure it doesn't get flooded. Like Phil said, delayed maintenance on your gutters can cause huge problems. Heck, in my opinion, delayed maintenance on ANYTHING is a huge expense. (Homes, cars, yourself, etc...) Good luck! __________________ As always, this is IMO.
Posts: 7,907

10-14-2011, 05:49 AM	#8
chefs fan in omaha Starter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Duh Casino cash: $5063537	The jury is out. About half my customers that have them think they are great. The other half say they are a waste off money. I am an Arborist
Posts: 285

10-14-2011, 07:17 AM	#10
Mr. Plow In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $1837391	Had some at my old house. It was fairly cheap stuff bought from either Lowe's/Home Depot. They weren't perfect, but the kept out the bulk of the leaves and I didn't have any clogs. Like Phobia said, something is better than nothing.
Posts: 30,831