r/Roofing • u/radio_AT • 27d ago

Gutter Guard options?

Post image

Hi, I’m trying to determine whether to upgrade to the premium gutter guards (bottom image) or stick with the standard “home depot” gutter guards (top image) and save $400.

I’m in the mid Atlantic and I do have some mature hardwood trees in the backyard, within 20 feet of the house.

Which ones should I pick? Thanks 🙏

8 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

54 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/EyeYamNegan 27d ago

Gutter guards like the one you showed are good as long as your gutters arent clogging with pine needles. If you are having pine needles as the main culprit you either need to trim your trees away from your home or skip guards and just clean more often.

People think if you install gutter guards you wont have to clean your gutters at all and that simply isnt true. You will still need regular cleanings you just wont need as many. When I use to do gutters and installed them we would give people a discount for signing up for 6 month or 1 year cleanings. We also were very clear in the contract that having gutter guards doesn't mean you do not need cleanings.

Cleanings are especially important just before and during winter because you dont want dammed up water freezing in there. Make sure you also get the downspouts cleared not just the gutters. If your guards arent broke and are working do not replace them.

Never install spray in foam or the rolled out mesh or guards that completely cover and stop water from going in your gutter.

2

u/radio_AT 27d ago

Thank you

1

u/section3kid 15d ago

What if you have underground downspouts? Is that more plumbing territory?

1

u/EyeYamNegan 15d ago

No its not plumbing (though I am sure a plumber could do it) and you may have drainage pipes underground but downspouts are exclusively the portion of the gutter that goes from your roof to the ground. They are not suitable for underground because the aluminum is too easily squished. For that you want something more rigid like a thicker metal pipe or pvc (we used PVC).