Opinions on LeafGuard etc

[chiefsfan1]

I think I need new gutters. They seem too small to handle the rain we get here in KC. They are original to the house, 2x3 gutters.

I also have two very large oak trees that drop those nasty string things and of course the leaves. Then the neighbors helicopters that come off the maples.

I have read that Leaf Guard can cause ice dams. I think those oak strings would get by the covers.

Right now I use my Stihl leaf blower to clear them out.

Or just get regular over size gutters?

 

[Nate1979]

We have Leaf Guard installed by the previous owner. We are in Oregon so have pine needles and not as cold to have ice dams. The amount of pine needles that get into our gutters are much less than having open gutters but they are not perfect and still need to be cleaned at least once a year.

I'm not sure how they would handle your situation.

 

[horse123]

I've never had experience personally with any of them, but the open cell foam like ones seem to be a better idea. Significantly less work to install/take out, and probably blocks more.

 

[chiefsfan1]

Originally Posted By: Nate1979
We have Leaf Guard installed by the previous owner. We are in Oregon so have pine needles and not as cold to have ice dams. The amount of pine needles that get into our gutters are much less than having open gutters but they are not perfect and still need to be cleaned at least once a year.

I'm not sure how they would handle your situation.


So stuff DOES get past the covers.
This is what it looks like
http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-oak-tree-pollen-image4958865

 

[dlundblad]

If you just have a little bit of leaves, they should work. We live in a woods and get a lot of leaves, seeds, vine like things etc. and they clog up the inlet holes on a bi-yearly basis. The guards on the front of the house needed removed because they were causing the water to just gush over them and into the yard as if we didn't even have gutters.

 

[KD0AXS]

Perhaps you don't need new gutters, just new downspouts. We have one section of gutter that gets water from far more roof area than the rest. It had a 2x3 downspout and during heavy rains it would overflow. I replaced the 2x3 downspout with a 3x4 and now it handles heavy rains with no problem. The 3x4 downspout will handle twice the water.

 

[chiefsfan1]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Perhaps you don't need new gutters, just new downspouts. We have one section of gutter that gets water from far more roof area than the rest. It had a 2x3 downspout and during heavy rains it would overflow. I replaced the 2x3 downspout with a 3x4 and now it handles heavy rains with no problem. The 3x4 downspout will handle twice the water.


Now that is a great idea! Thanks! Will give that a try.