|
Post by raphael on May 14, 2009 12:16:17 GMT -5
They've been sending out door to door sales. I've had them come twice in the last 3 months. I think their biggest product is "Gutter Gaurdian'. I would love to have some up. I tried to get a price but of course the door salesman said he didn't know and would have to send out a sales guy. (so they can twist your arm ;D) Anybody know prices or what kind of quality and how well this stuff works?
|
|
|
Post by Fredo on May 14, 2009 13:44:56 GMT -5
All I can speak to is the gutter helmet type devices. Don't waste your money. They perform just fine under controlled conditions, but if you have pine or oak trees those little brown things will go right around the device and clog your gutters anyway. When that happens, you have no way to lift the guard and clean them.
Additionally, they only work on fairly low pitched roofs. If you have a steep roof a hard rain will be sufficient to overcome the surface tension of the water and it will blow right over the top of the guards.
|
|
|
Post by raphael on May 14, 2009 14:17:20 GMT -5
All I can speak to is the gutter helmet type devices. Don't waste your money. They perform just fine under controlled conditions, but if you have pine or oak trees those little brown things will go right around the device and clog your gutters anyway. When that happens, you have no way to lift the guard and clean them. Additionally, they only work on fairly low pitched roofs. If you have a steep roof a hard rain will be sufficient to overcome the surface tension of the water and it will blow right over the top of the guards. I think their product is similar to the Helmet. I thought he said something about some type of 'no clog' guarantee but don't quote me on that one. Right now I have those 3ft screens which also let the pine needles and other small debris clog up about once a year. Every year that ladder gets shakier and shakier if you know what I mean. So what's the best system?
|
|
|
Post by manlyman on May 14, 2009 14:19:48 GMT -5
About 5 years ago, I went into a home improvement frenzy (new deck, new front porch, new gutters) Since my old gutters and downspouts were rotted out, I called and got several companies estimates. Gutter Guardian being one of them. They were about 1-1/2 times more expensive than plain gutters. The demo was impressive. I was sold. Had them put on. Fredo is correct in his assessment of the long term performance of the "helmet". Yes, the keep the leaves out (I have a yard full of oaks and hickories). I have not had a gutter clog up yet, but the brown tassel things will accumulate and hang over the lip of the "helmet" and when it rains, water runs off the tassel things instead of running into the gutter (and down on your head). I would recommend them if you and your neighbors had few or no trees, but if that were the case you wouldn't need them, would you.
|
|
|
Post by raphael on May 14, 2009 14:35:07 GMT -5
I would recommend them if you and your neighbors had few or no trees, but if that were the case you wouldn't need them, would you.
I've had most of my trees taken out but I still have several on the sides and distances you would think nothing would find it's way on the roof. But things do. Tassles, pine needles from the neighbors 3 large pines on the side find their way onto my roof. I bet this is something they won't divulge when the sales guy is selling you this product.
I would recommend them if you and your neighbors had few or no trees, but if that were the case you wouldn't need them, would you.
Exactly! I'd like to hear from more people that have these types of products and their experiences before I ever make a real decision on trying this product. Most trees have some type of spring 'droppings' that are small and cling to the roofs. What good would this product be if it only kept out leaves alone?
|
|
|
Post by Fredo on May 14, 2009 15:06:35 GMT -5
There are some products out there that work pretty well. ABC sells a perforated gutter cap (think sheet metal with holes in it) that snaps inside the gutter and keeps debris out. There is also a very coarse mesh type product that goes inside the gutter and lets only the water pass through.
The problem with both of these is that they can still clog and they're as expensive as the gutters themselves. When I put new gutters on our house they cost around a$1k. Adding the perforated gutter guard would have been about another $1400. When people just insist on screens my guy has a screen that slides under the bottom row of shingles and rivets on to the outside edge of the gutter. It works well for leaves, but the little oak tassels and some small leaves still pile up behind it.
In short, pass on the gutter guards and use the money for a new ladder and leaf blower. It's what I do.
|
|
|
Post by bignana on May 14, 2009 15:29:18 GMT -5
My Hubby hates those little brown fuzzy things. They get all over the car.
|
|