Gutter guard suggestion

[DadSmith]

I built this from pvc pipe, 1-90, 1-45, and a Fernco coupling to add to my blower. When it’s had time to dry out, I will blow out the gutters clean in 10 minutes. I got rid of my guards and find this is the easiest method.View attachment 147011

That is what I need thanks for posting. I have a stihl blower I can probably just build that attachment.

 

[Hoosier Carry]

Depends on the power of your leaf blower. Stihl for me. I get sticks from my trees in the corners of mine and they blow out. The key is the 45 degree fitting. It is angled to blow under the debris in the gutter and I think it works great. I think I spent maybe $20 on it so you won’t be out much if you think it sucks. But I think you’ll find it works well!

 

[Hoosier Carry]

Since there is some interest I hooked it up for a pic. Sorry for the cluster of a garage. A reducer coupling (2x2.5) would work better but I make do with a 2coupling.

@Hatin it’s a sludge buster!

 

[patience0830]

I built this from pvc pipe, 1-90, 1-45, and a Fernco coupling to add to my blower. When it’s had time to dry out, I will blow out the gutters clean in 10 minutes. I got rid of my guards and find this is the easiest method.View attachment 147011

I do this. Last estimate for the only gutter cover I considered was $3600. And it's only about 75' of gutter. I replied to their estimate that I could hire a high school kid for $50 twice a year for the next 36 years and they could go fly a kite.

 

[Jaybird1980]

I just put these up recently, well the 5" version atleast. I have the same issue having to clean the gutters at every storm. Have a big locust, silver maple, pin oak, couple cherries, it was a pain. I haven't had them the on but about a month maybe, but it was during the time the locust was making a mess. After the recent storms I got up and checked and the gutters were clear and never overflowed. The pollen was thick on the mesh, but didn't get through ( yet, time will tell). An offer for a free brush head comes in the box, and I thought they were reasonably priced.

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/gutters-accessories/gutter-accessories/viking-gutter-guard-stainless-steel-micro-mesh-kit-6/mvx32/p-1538375210679.htm

I can get some pics if you want to see anything.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Has anyone tried the foam blocks? Water runs through the foam but debris just sits on top until it's blown off. I have both maples and sweet gums (so helicopters and spikey balls) and this topic interests me.

 

[Cameramonkey]

That’s awesome. What if it’s sludgy tho? Lol

Then you hook it to your shop vac. LOL.

but cut 4 or 5 slots an inch up the end of the tube so it cant build a seal and stick to the bottom of the gutter.

 

[Doug]

I had the foam blocks on a house I recently sold. Stuff would stick on top and I even had what looked like little trees sprouting up there, but the water kept flowing through. Seemed to work.

I just cleaned an inch of mud out of one of the gutters on my new house. Not sure how that happened unless the previous owner just never cleaned it. We'll see what happens now...

 

[Ballstater98]

Through my google-fu over a couple years, it depends on your environment. Big leaves, v tiny s**t, v mossy, etc.

 

[ws6guy]

I have leaf relief micro mesh on one corner of my house and worked great until we cut the tree down. In the back I've been meaning to get the menards or costco version of the micro mesh but I've been too lazy so I've been paying someone to clean the 2nd story.

I've thought about the leaf blower idea but I figure it would be hard to control for the 2nd story. also I my screened in porch would make it hard to reach part of the roof.

 

[Jaybird1980]

Has anyone tried the foam blocks? Water runs through the foam but debris just sits on top until it's blown off. I have both maples and sweet gums (so helicopters and spikey balls) and this topic interests me.

I had tried some foam block style beforehand and they didn't last through the summer. Was full of debris and stuff growing out of them, but the sun is what ultimately finished them off and they were just broken chunks. I also tried the expanded metal round things that just stuck into the drain holes, didn't work for me either.

I didn't have very high dollar ones so I don't know if they have better ones out there that would last longer.

 

[J Galt]

I just put these up recently, well the 5" version atleast. I have the same issue having to clean the gutters at every storm. Have a big locust, silver maple, pin oak, couple cherries, it was a pain. I haven't had them the on but about a month maybe, but it was during the time the locust was making a mess. After the recent storms I got up and checked and the gutters were clear and never overflowed. The pollen was thick on the mesh, but didn't get through ( yet, time will tell). An offer for a free brush head comes in the box, and I thought they were reasonably priced.

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/gutters-accessories/gutter-accessories/viking-gutter-guard-stainless-steel-micro-mesh-kit-6/mvx32/p-1538375210679.htm

I can get some pics if you want to see anything.

Does the micro mesh overflow in a heavy rain? Do leaves, twigs, etc get trapped on it and create a "bridge" for the water to overflow?

 

[J Galt]

Has anyone tried the foam blocks? Water runs through the foam but debris just sits on top until it's blown off. I have both maples and sweet gums (so helicopters and spikey balls) and this topic interests me.

I've seen the foam / sponge blocks on several homes and they basically act like a small garden. It seems like they attract dirt, seeds, and water; then when plants start to grow it is literally like a flower box.

 

[DadSmith]

I just put these up recently, well the 5" version atleast. I have the same issue having to clean the gutters at every storm. Have a big locust, silver maple, pin oak, couple cherries, it was a pain. I haven't had them the on but about a month maybe, but it was during the time the locust was making a mess. After the recent storms I got up and checked and the gutters were clear and never overflowed. The pollen was thick on the mesh, but didn't get through ( yet, time will tell). An offer for a free brush head comes in the box, and I thought they were reasonably priced.

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/gutters-accessories/gutter-accessories/viking-gutter-guard-stainless-steel-micro-mesh-kit-6/mvx32/p-1538375210679.htm

I can get some pics if you want to see anything.

I use something similar to that. It keeps the bulky junk out of the gutters but smaller junk get through. But it washes on out and doesn't clog up the down spouts. When the leaves are falling it will pile up and I would use my power washer to spray it off. Now I'm going to try that blower attachment Hoosier carry posted.

 

[Jaybird1980]

Does the micro mesh overflow in a heavy rain? Do leaves, twigs, etc get trapped on it and create a "bridge" for the water to overflow?

Stuff does get trapped on it, but it doesn't appear to create a bridge at least not yet. They were covered in thick yellow mass From the locust before the last round of storms also. I do have an upper level and the way those round fed into them overwhelmed them at that location. I changed that and gave it more distance to run on the shingles to disperse it before it reaches the mesh and that appears to have helped. Did that during the storm times so it's not quite proven yet.

The brush head they give you is to clean off the guards from the ground, but I haven't used it to see if it works.

 

[ws6guy]

Does the micro mesh overflow in a heavy rain? Do leaves, twigs, etc get trapped on it and create a "bridge" for the water to overflow?

mine has only overflowed a few times in the last 6 or so years. It's only happens for a few minutes or less during the heaviest part of a storm. The normal everyday rains no overflowing at all.

 

[J Galt]

Stuff does get trapped on it, but it doesn't appear to create a bridge at least not yet. They were covered in thick yellow mass From the locust before the last round of storms also. I do have an upper level and the way those round fed into them overwhelmed them at that location. I changed that and gave it more distance to run on the shingles to disperse it before it reaches the mesh and that appears to have helped. Did that during the storm times so it's not quite proven yet.

The brush head they give you is to clean off the guards from the ground, but I haven't used it to see if it works.

I'm going to try the micro mesh from costco. Thanks for the input!

 

[Jaybird1980]

I'm going to try the micro mesh from costco. Thanks for the input!

Here is a couple of pics to show the brush head and the size of the mesh. They do have instructions to not instal them perfectly flat with the pitch, but to put a lil bend in to slow the water

 

[ws6guy]

Stuff does get trapped on it, but it doesn't appear to create a bridge at least not yet. They were covered in thick yellow mass From the locust before the last round of storms also. I do have an upper level and the way those round fed into them overwhelmed them at that location. I changed that and gave it more distance to run on the shingles to disperse it before it reaches the mesh and that appears to have helped. Did that during the storm times so it's not quite proven yet.

The brush head they give you is to clean off the guards from the ground, but I haven't used it to see if it works.

I also have a large locust. I love the shade it provides on the back patio but I'll never have another. The amount of stuff it drops is ridiculous.

 

[Jaybird1980]

I also have a large locust. I love the shade it provides on the back patio but I'll never have another. The amount of stuff it drops is ridiculous.

For sure it provides great shade , but it is shedding something every season heck maybe more than that