Leaf Guards.... Worth it?

Question

I live in upstate, New York. Property has lots of trees, which means each spring and fall we are cleaning out gutters. Weighing whether or not to install leaf guards. They seem to come in two types-metal grate and a mesh that goes overtop of the gutter.

Wanted to see if you have any advice or even think they are worth it.

Thank you for your advice and input!

Wanted to see if you have any advice or even think they are worth it.

Thank you for your advice and input!

Account Closed · Answer

I've have had great luck with the foam/sponge looking gutter guards.  Once a year I crawl up on my roof with a broom and sweep the loose seeds/leaves out of them and it takes about 15 minutes for the entire house.  My only tip is that is that they should be installed tightly against each other, whomever installed mine left some small gaps between a few of the pieces and it the summer I sometimes get bees making nests underneath.

They definitely save me a bunch of time and headaches of plugged gutters and water backing up.

Don Meinke · Answer

If you have one story ranch houses,,,NO not worth it. They really havent made a good one yet. A gooseneck wand that fits on a garden hose and pressure washes them works wonders all from the ground. 2 and 3 story houses they may work,,,thinking oversize downspouts are a better fix and plug less. If your gutter slope is backward all bets are off.

We have high winds once in a while so foam or bristles work better...All others blow away one day or another

Jon Cahen · Answer

Don't waste time with foam or screens.   Get something with a "hood".  We had KGuard installed.  They have been great for 5 years with a huge oak tree with branches over the corner of our home.

Nathan Gornto · Answer

When asked this I always tend to lean towards the newer mesh guards, they are easily installed and the only thing that really gets by them is pinestraw. Save costs by doing it yourself, know that even the cheapest contractor might do the exact same quality job you could and will charge an extra 300-500.

Elizabeth M. · Answer

We like the Easy-on Gutterguards sold at Costco.  However, we don't have snow or ice to contend with.  http://www.costco.com/.product.100007502.html

Michael Mullins · Answer

I have something like that install at my south rental, they ware worth it. Plus you don't have to pay someone to clean them out once a year.

Jill F. · Answer

I have been looking at these for my house: www.gutterbrush.com (I am not affiliated with this company)

Chris T. · Answer

@Chris C.

Yes, I have a lot of mature streets on my property as well. I didn't use the leaf guard brand but I bought something generic from HD.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerimax-Home-Products-...

While I don't have to clean out the gutters twice a year, I do have to make sure that I periodically clean the openings.

It is absolutely worth your time to put them in the next time you're cleaning the gutters.

Leaf Guards.... Worth it?

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