Half round gutter guards

[Steve in VA]

I have 2 runs of galvanized 1/2 round gutters fitted with those mushroom shaped debris screens for the downspouts. Gunk collects and blocks them so the gutter has standing water. I've been researching guards and run across an option that looks interesting. It is a foam insert for the gutter.

Anyone have an experience with these?
TIA

 

[SleepyFarmall]

I have no experience with the foam inserts; but I can say I've avoided them intentionally. I can't see how they wouldn't cause more of a problem. As for the downspout screen, I took mine out for the very reason you mentioned. Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution. Cleaning the gutter is the only thing that works for me. I use the leaf blower with a PVC pipe extension so I can blow them out while standing on the ground. Michael

 

[Charles in Aus.]

The foam silts up with black sludge , moss grows on the surface and weeds take root . Water then sheets over the top and down the sides of the building .
It is infernal stuff that isn't even UV stable ; it rots and falls apart if lifted out to clean .
I have tried and researched many different types of retrofit gutter guards over the last 35 years . My farm has 18 foot high guttering and I'm only getting older .
The best combination I have decided on is 8mm square light gal mesh wire domed over the gutter . This sheds most leaves over one or two seasons . To clean I use a pressure washer though the wire , no need to lift it . Messy , a little cold , but fast and effective.

 

[caterpillar guy]

No roof rotters for me just use longer eaves with nothing and no cleaning to do. I have an extra 6-8 inches off the end of the old roof so about 1.5-2 feet off the wall with no problems. Old farm house would not put roof rotters on a roof eave. None on shed roofs either.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

I don't think any of them really work very well, no matter what the ads say. My dad put some on and they said you should still get up there and clean them once a year. And they made a haven for yellow jacket nests.

 

[Steve in VA]

I have 2 runs of galvanized 1/2 round gutters fitted with those mushroom shaped debris screens for the downspouts. Gunk collects and blocks them so the gutter has standing water. I've been researching guards and run across an option that looks interesting. It is a foam insert for the gutter.

Anyone have an experience with these?
TIA

Thanks very much for the responses. Since there are only 2 runs of 10', the right answer seems to just clean them out spring and fall. Takes longer to get the ladder than to do the work.
Thanks again.

 

[Texasmark]

I have no experience with the foam inserts; but I can say I've avoided them intentionally. I can't see how they wouldn't cause more of a problem. As for the downspout screen, I took mine out for the very reason you mentioned. Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution. Cleaning the gutter is the only thing that works for me. I use the leaf blower with a PVC pipe extension so I can blow them out while standing on the ground. Michael

Now that's a great idea and one I can easily accommodate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Clogged gutters has been a problem for me for decades....but I love my trees in the summer.

 

[Steve in VA]

Now that's a great idea and one I can easily accommodate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Clogged gutters has been a problem for me for decades....but I love my trees in the summer.

I am considering making one using either the leaf blower of the discharge of one of the big shop vacs.

 

[1948CaseVAI]

makes a mewss and clogs. standing water. I've been researching guards and run across an option that looks interesting. It is a foam insert for the gutter.t

Anyone have an experience with these?
TIA

Foam in your gutter just makes a mess and causes clogs. I just spent 4 grand on LeafFilter on 280 feet of guttter on my house and it is working to perfection.

 

[Tgrasher]

Had the sales pitch from Leaf Filter but couldn't handle the price. The product is a finer mesh of screen wire covering a plastic frame that clips into the gutter. Always thought I could replicate it but never can find the time.

 

[Blackhole49]

Now that's a great idea and one I can easily accommodate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Clogged gutters has been a problem for me for decades....but I love my trees in the summer.

I bought a kit like this for one of my back pack blowers. Works best if debris is dry. None of my shop vacs has enough power to do any good.

https://www.amazon.com/Greenworks-GK0A00-Universal-Gutter-Black/dp/B07CH6LMHV?crid=UW85BPX6YWD2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2_jkDHsdL8KhMjytBAc_cngXziO0Q7IRb0glyUcueNVQvC83f7DooDgiAyzxU5HznIPCYMEOvogDn633ZmA-hh8Wx1FgJz1B72U0fYL4O9K-HVqR9JDHzOzPxAFoOxv19rVcf1o7Gt38msAQLMWXxwVZt9A5o2w-3AJ5Bk6JAPJTh7uJINc80QqGVLDE7MDF6zXxYyaQWcXIN1O7uxtmQBZ9hva7zl8mUNtCFi744T4.q951N0zjhL_bkDqPXGvw-Ybzh51EuXGqKKhwLpQOkHE&dib_tag=se&keywords=gutter+blower+attachment&qid=1746717761&sprefix=gutter+bolw%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.9fe8cbfa-bf43-43d1-a707-3f4e65a4b666

 

[Eman85]

My garage roof gutters are high up and 130' of gutters is a lot to clean. Over 20 years ago I bought the plastic clip in pieces from Lowes and haven't looked back. I have replaced some when they warped from the sun. I have metal versions on my house that the gutter company installed and they work great. Before the guards I would get on the roof with a leaf blower, didn't make a difference wet or dry it would blow them right out.

 

[tomturkey]

I use the mushroom wire downspout blockers because we have pine trees. If a pine cone gets down in the bends of the downspout it really can plug things up, no matter how clean the gutter is. We just try to clean ours a couple times a year. I actually have more trouble with gutters becoming full of ice in the winter because of our freeze thaw crazy weather. gobble

 

[Mule Meat]

2 runs that are 10'. If it's on a shed. Remove the cap on one end. Then put down some 57 gravel where the water will hit to prevent erosion.

Every gutter screen I have dealt with has caused more problems than they cure.

 

[StuartM]

No roof rotters for me just use longer eaves with nothing and no cleaning to do. I have an extra 6-8 inches off the end of the old roof so about 1.5-2 feet off the wall with no problems. Old farm house would not put roof rotters on a roof eave. None on shed roofs either.

How are they roof rotters? I have had gutters on buildings for 40 years and non have rotted a roof out. Although the machine of my neighbors with extra length eaves and no gutters did have the poles rot off after 25 years.

 

[Dingo3]

I am considering making one using either the leaf blower of the discharge of one of the big shop vacs.

I had the leaf guards installed when I had the roof done. Also installed larger gutters and down spouts. It still needs to be cleaned but it’s a lot easier with the guard. I use a shop broom with an extending handle. A simple walk along the gutter and it’s done. I couldn’t do that with the old gutters. Works best when dry. With out the guard the gutters never seemed to dry out after a rain so I had to resort to hand removal. Blower didn’t do much in that situation.

 

[1948CaseVAI]

Had the sales pitch from Leaf Filter but couldn't handle the price. The product is a finer mesh of screen wire covering a plastic frame that clips into the gutter. Always thought I could replicate it but never can find the time.

With 280 linear feet of gutter there is no way I would ever have the time to try to cobble up something that would be unlikely to work as well. With the LeafFilter warrany if the gutter ever needs cleaned they will come out and do it. That warranty is also transferable if I ever sell the house so it adds value.

 

[Texasmark]

I am considering making one using either the leaf blower of the discharge of one of the big shop vacs.

I think the leaf blower would be the better choice for several reasons.

 

[PJH]

I have no experience with the foam inserts; but I can say I've avoided them intentionally. I can't see how they wouldn't cause more of a problem. As for the downspout screen, I took mine out for the very reason you mentioned. Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution. Cleaning the gutter is the only thing that works for me. I use the leaf blower with a PVC pipe extension so I can blow them out while standing on the ground. Michael

Instead of PVC, consider using aluminum downspout. It's lighter than PVC, but the lightness does let the air blast push the extension around more. I've tried both and have switched to downspout.

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

How are they roof rotters? I have had gutters on buildings for 40 years and non have rotted a roof out. Although the machine of my neighbors with extra length eaves and no gutters did have the poles rot off after 25 years.

You should get into roofing. I have seen lots of rot & decay under the shingles by the gutters where water & ice push up & under. Even with water & ice in place. Then there's all the poorly done installs & cheap shingles to boot.

Mike