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I've been doing some research about the different types of Gutter Guard options out there and I'm wondering what others are using and what their experiences have been.
We have an expanded cape, with a 2nd floor rear dormer that is difficult for us to get at (both of us are not good with heights) and we really want to do what we can to minimize the gutter clogging as we can't even see the insides of the gutters to know whether or not they need to be cleaned.
I've looked into a few options and initially the one I was most interested in was the LeafGuard system, but I read some reviews that it caused really bad ice-damming in the northeast, since the opening for water drainage is so small and could get frozen-closed, preventing the water/snow/melting ice from draining properly.
I've looked at LeafRelief, which is more of the mesh plastic or metal screens that cover the gutter. This seems okay, but wouldn't wet leaves and debris still sit on top of this mesh, potentially blocking water drainage, or do they just roll right off the side? If they get washed off, do they get on the sides of the house?
I also heard of a product called GutterStuff, which is essentially a special foam that gets fitted INSIDE of a traditional gutter, preventing them from getting clogged, but allowing water to drain through the foam and through the regular gutter drainage system.
This was interesting to me, but I was concerned about mold growth and I read that the foam is formulated to PREVENT mold growth. My only other concern is how long-term sun/water/freezing exposure would affect the foam inserts.
Are there any other options out there I'm not considering? What do you have installed and what type of home do you have? Likes/dislikes? Worth the installation costs?
I bought some brand of gutter guards at Home Depot about 15 years ago and installed them on my garage roof. Stuff still goes through them, I don't know how but a few years ago I cleaned the gutters and they were full of black soil that apparently resulted from leaves composting in them over the years.
On my last house I made the mistake of having one of the solid gutter guards installed; caused ice dams like you would NOT believe. Had to pay twice (once for the expensive install, and again to have them all removed).
The only effective gutter guard system is to not have any trees within leaf/branch/acorn/etc falling distance of your roof. Hard to accomplish on the typical 1/4, 1/3 or even 1/2 acre LI lot. :-(
I prefer steel mesh gutter guards; they're easy to install, not necessarily cheaper, but in the long run they do a better job.
What most people just don't get is that no matter what, seasonal cleaning of your gutters (spring and fall) will result in better performance and less hassles all around.
Ice Dams are never caused by gutters; inadequate ventilation of roofs causes that. When the roof is hot on top and cold at the gutter, the snow melts - and whet it hits ice-cold gutters, it freezes back up. By maintaining an even temperature, the snow melts much more gradually, reducing the chances of ice dams.
metal or plastic mesh covering doesn't work to well. The sandy stuff & debris from the roof still goes in.
I got the foam stuff but haven't installed them....I am curious if it works as wel.
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