Gutter Covering Systems

about a year ago, i checked into purchasing also but after using consumer guides and testimony from those that tested, I decided to wait until there was more perfection.k

Our home came w/Gutter Monster (or similar type). They are TERRIBLE! The gutters still need to be cleaned but due to the design, I have to UNSCREW long panels to even have access to the gutters. A gutter cleaning tool that you put on your hose won't even fit between the gutter & the gards. The problem is that while large leaves do not get in the gutters, small items do, like the large 'pollen balls' & other debris that builds up. If it didn't leave holes in my shingles, I would remove them entirely. I am still considering them & plugging the screw holes w/caulk. So, please do not invest the money on that type of system.

Now the inexpensive screens that you 'pop' in the gutters that you can remove easily are a godsend! Our old house had 4 gumball trees & it was frustrating when the gumballs fell off the trees in January. We would have to clean every weekend for a month to keep them clean. But with the snap in screens it kept the big things out & were easily removed to really clean the gutters. We only had to do this 1-3 times per year with the screens. Who would have thought that the cheapest solution was the most effective!

I HTH!
J.

I have regular mesh gutter screens on mine. They have been a life saver for us! I recommend speaking to Dan ###-###-####). I don't remember the name of his company but he installed new gutters and screens for us. I work for a custom home builder and we also use Royal Gutter. You could talk to them as well. I have heard less than positive things about the Gutter Monster system. My screens were very inexpensive and I have had 3 people tell me they wish they used them instead of spending the high dollars on their systems (I'm sorry I don't remember what systems they used).

Several years ago I was doing homework just like you, and I ended up going with Olathe Sheet Metal, they put new gutters on my house, and they also make the metal gutter covers to fit over the top. They were cheaper than all the others, and they work just fine. Have never had to clean our gutters out. The only problem we had was on one corner of the house (facing to the southeast), every winter ice would form over the top of it, and it leaked into our window. My husband just took off the cover on that part and have never had a problem since. On another note, I can't say enough about how nice Olathe Sheet Metal was to work with. Their customer service was outstanding.

I researched this before getting any gutter topper. The research indicated that none of them were worth getting. Despite this I did get the leafproof system. I have had it on my gutters for several years. I have several roof lines - almost flat roof and lower pitched roof. My gutters are 40 feet up and we have several gum ball trees; tulip poplar, etc. I could clean the gutters every week if I wanted to. The Leaf proof seems to work well on the roof with a pitch. It does not work as well on the roof with no pitch. In very heavy rains it seems to shoot right over the gutter.

Regardless, the quality of installation is really important. We have had two different contractors install these. I have not been 100% pleased with either. If they leave any gaps where birds can get in, it pretty much makes the covers useless. We have had a lot of problems on the no pitch roof because of this. Also, many contractors are supposed to clean the gutters/downspouts before they cover them. If they don't do this properly than it obviously creates problems. On my house, the contractor left the back of the gutter cover open. We have had birds nesting etc. I have also read about bees and hornets using them as nests. I haven't had much problem with this. However, I can see the possibilities.

You do still have to keep the tops cleaned off so you are still cleaning the gutters. Even though some of the literature shows a person hosing their gutter tops off safely from the ground, I have not found a way to do this with my house. Luckily in the front, I can get on my porch and take a long car washing brush to sweep off the tops. Otherwise they would be nonfunctional.

I also have porch gutters that I do not have covered. If I can get to the gutters easily I do not cover them. Personally, if you have a one story house I would pay someone to clean them over getting gutter covers. If you have a two story than perhaps I would recommend it. I am still debating it. The gutter cover companies make a lot of money off of these. Like anything, gutter covers can be damaged by falling limbs and ice storms. We had a section get dented in an ice storm a couple of years ago and replaced it only after a year. Check out any roofing warrantees, also. They may be affected by adding gutter toppers as well.

Good luck.

Whatever you get, the reality is that you still have to clean them regularly. That is why we decided not to get them: what's the point if we still have to get up there and do the hard part?

Dont waste your money... even though they might keep leaves out of the gutter... they will still collect seeds, which will eventually spout.

Sorry!