Gutter Guard Products - Good Idea? Suggestions?

[ol' boy]

I'm about done with cleaning out Gutters
(Especially as i just did it 2 weeks ago and they now half full of dried gum leafs already)

My neighbour installed a Gutter Guide product 5 years ago and says its been great
Then i spoke to builder yesterday whom didn't recommend it, as your gutters fill with dirt??

I have a very flat pitched roof and dozens of 40meter + Gum Trees around my house

I'd like to not clean my gutters again
(outside just using the leaf blower on the roof or a hose to wash them clean, but the getting down on my knees is getting old)
And if they kept the house more Fire Proof that would be great.

Anyone use one of these products?
Suggestions of which to avoid maybe?
Have you been happy with them?

I had a Google, there are a lot of different products and ideas.
Steel mesh, Alloy Mesh, Plastic, etc
Oh, the roof is Corrugated Colourbond.

Thanks

[lsemmens]

Go for the gutter guard. Sounds like your "builder" has no experience with the stuff. How will the gutters not fill with "dirt" without the gutter guard. All the guard does is keep the leaves out. The "dirt" gets washed out with the first rain anyway, and with no leaves to hinder it, is more likely to get washed out.

[mtv]

Go for the gutter guard. Sounds like your "builder" has no experience with the stuff. How will the gutters not fill with "dirt" without the gutter guard. All the guard does is keep the leaves out. The "dirt" gets washed out with the first rain anyway, and with no leaves to hinder it, is more likely to get washed out.

+1... it's the leaves that cause the dirt to be retained.... preventing the leaves minimises the dirt.

From what I've seen, the flat metal mesh type seems to work best as the leaves fall/blow off more easily than the bulging plastic type that leaves tend to build up more against.

[ol' boy]

Yeah, that is what i was going for i think mtv.

The neighbours system on his Corri Roof, screws into the the last row of screws on his roof then also screws into the top of the gutter where its rolled.
It does not protrude passed the gutter, in fact, you can't even tell it's installed at all.

Must be like this


Hmmmm this product looks nice


So many different concepts

[garrycol]

I agree with the builder - the leaves stay on the guard and rot down - the "dirt" and and sand from unglazed tiles slots through and sits in the gutters - the water flows over the top of the dirt. We have removed the guard as being in effective over the long term.

[ol' boy]

I agree with the builder - the leaves stay on the guard and rot down - the "dirt" and and sand from unglazed tiles slots through and sits in the gutters - the water flows over the top of the dirt. We have removed the guard as being in effective over the long term.

Well, with a Colourbind Tin roof, i don't think i'll suffer the "Tile Sand" you speak of.
But the leafs sitting on the guard might happen, yet with wind like today, it will just blow off.

At present, they just blow in the gutter

But, considering you've owned Gutter Guard and lived with it, interesting response, thank you

[peteramjet]

I agree with the builder - the leaves stay on the guard and rot down - the "dirt" and and sand from unglazed tiles slots through and sits in the gutters - the water flows over the top of the dirt. We have removed the guard as being in effective over the long term.

Same issue here. Ended up removing the guard as well cause my gutters were filling up with too much dirt and ended up spending more time cleaning than without the guard. Tiled roof here as well though.

Only solution I've found is to get rid of the trees

[garrycol]

But the leafs sitting on the guard might happen, yet with wind like today, it will just blow off.

You are correct - fresh light leaves will blow off - but the wind has to be quite strong and it does not blow hard every day - leaves that have been there for a little while take up moisture - stick together and are heavy and do not get blown off - and as they further decay bits fall through the mesh and into the gutter.

Insect mesh might work but over the years I have tried most of the rest and ended up removing them and hosing out once a month - or as suggested got rid of the trees - without them the leaves do tend to get washed down the drain.

[allover]

Single story or double?

[station-rat]

Blue Mountain Mesh for me 1+

[ol' boy]

Single story or double?

My house is both
Double story out front, but single story out the back.
Its the back that gets all the leafs

[allover]

If you want to go the blower route here is a link,
Also my metal fabricator makes 4 x 2 down pipe mesh inserts (plus others) i can get and mail to you or you can paddle across the bay on your surf board and pick them up This will stop the leaves from blocking your down pipes???

[ol' boy]

Yeah, i've tried the Leaf Blower idea.
Because its rotting gum leaf matter and black sludge, it really makes a mess on the decks and driveway.
And side of the house when it splats up off the ground and onto the walls

I think i'll try some guard on the rear gutter and see how it goes.

[garrycol]

I think i'll try some guard on the rear gutter and see how it goes.

Use a system that has the smallest size mesh/holes you can get - and is easy to remove so when you do need to get into the gutters you can do so. I put a fitting with a removable screw cap in the end of the gutter so I could squirt the hose in there and wash the crap out - if you do it regularly it will wash any dirt out but forget it like I did, and it compacts and does not move with the water flowing over it.

Good luck

[ol' boy]

Thanks, that is a great tip garry.

[mtv]

... I put a fitting with a removable screw cap in the end of the gutter so I could squirt the hose in there and wash the crap out ....

That's a great idea, with or without any gutterguard.

[lsemmens]

Of course you could all do what we did in the Territory and not have gutters at all....

[ol' boy]

While we are on the subject
20+ years ago, i did a job for an Engineer that had planned his own house in a bush setting.
Gumtrees all around (only 7min from my place)

He did a very clever thing
At the end of his roof sheets, he had them rolled like a "bull nose" but he went beyond the vertical, the roof actually tucked under itself.
Then had a Gutter which delivers water for drinking.
The concept was, the water had enough suction, surface tension, im not sure what you'd call it, but it would flow right around and fall into the gutter
Anything like leafs just fell off.

While we were there, i tried out his theory with a hose.
It worked!
But the owner explained that rain didn't belt down like a hose, so it worked even better with normal rain fall.

[ol' boy]

Of course you could all do what we did in the Territory and not have gutters at all....

The thought has crossed my mind, don't worry!

[allover]

Oceanboy how about a v8 vacuum cleaner

Geez buy this and in the area you live you would have a job for life especially after the recent bush fires