[Holt]

I have 8 huge elms that sit in my yard. I've moved into my house in 3 months ago and about 4 cleanings of full gutters and the basement getting some water after this last rain storm. Gutters where over flowing. I went ahead and installed one 3 x 4 downspout to see if the larger opening will help the flow of water and see if the gutters get less clogged. I've never seen a good review on any leaf guard system. Have anyone noticed a difference switch switching? Thanks

 

[bjbatlanta]

I've got the "Gutter Guard' system on my house and haven't had any problems. They ARE pricey, but I haven't had to get on the roof in the last 4 years (which my wife likes). The guarantee say if they ever clog, the company will come out and unclog/fix the problem. I understand that a lot of the systems (mine included probably) don't work well on steep pitched roofs (mine's 4&12). The water tends to "shoot" past the gutter instead of "rolling" into it. I notice that in torrential downpours I have water getting past the gutters, but regular gutters (even with no leaves) probably couldn't hold that much runoff. Worth looking into.....

 

[4just1don]

the bigger downspouts will indeed help.

They carry twice to thre times the water in a fast rain,and thats when you need them the worst.

Plus the plugging factor. Try those cheapie snap on plastic leaf guards and then a pipe high enough with a nozzle that you can spray them out standing on the ground. It leads to longer life spans(and less climbing)

 

[Leftyho]

Hi,

Leaf gaurds keep the leaves out of the gutter. That is what you want.

The amount of leaves you have you will always be cleaning off your roof. Leaf gaurds will make the job easy. You can blow, sweep, or rinse the leaves off. You will not have to stick your hands in the gutter.

Leaf Protection

 

[Wildie]

I use a cheap and dirty expanded plastic mesh in my troughs. It comes in rolls that are approximately 6" wide.
Its run under the support brackets.
It works well, and I recommend it.

 

[Holt]

Good deal on the leaf gaurds. Thanks for the info on them I will have to look into them better. Its just every review I have ever read was bad. Good to hear from a real person that they work. About the difference in down spouts have anyone ever notice a difference between the difference sizes

 

[Gary in WA]

Be safe, G

 

[Leftyho]

Hi,

There is definetly a difference. The bigger the downspout the faster water will flow out or the gutter.

Leaves are not going to flow from one end of the gutter to the downspout. Wet leaves do not flow.