Only a few weeks ago I talked with my buddy Donny about cleaning his gutters. He told me that he was really contemplating of having a gutter guards system installed on his house. Now be mindful, Donny has some large evergreen and deciduous trees all around his house that drop needles and leaves onto his house. Not a very pretty sight and I am sure this is very frustrating to him. Donny also admitted he wasn't quite the buck he used to be on climbing the ladder.
When I told Donny he could count on someone quoting him $20 -45 per linear foot for installed gutter guards, he almost fell out of his chair. Let's be realistic, don't you think the companies that sell these gutter guards play upon the frustration the homeowner experiences when faced with cleaning the gutters a couple times a year. It all sounds so good and wonderful... a system that won't clog and no more cleaning. Really?
Tim also advises that if you must install gutter guards, then you should make sure you buy ones that allow you to easily see through them to the bottom of the entire gutter. Avoid gutter guards that have solid tops and small slits near the front edge. Look for gutter guards that have a larger mesh-type open structure that resembles a fishnet or even a chainlink fence. These systems allow you to aim a garden hose nozzle through the guard so that water can easily flush away the organic goo that will collect in the gutter.
It is imperative that you sit down and do some calculations before you decide to sign a contract for gutter guards. I told Donny, let's assume he paid someone $3,000 to install gutter guards. In the past, Donny paid someone $85 to clean his gutters. Let's assume, Donny had his gutters cleaned 3 times a year. The initial gutter guard investment would be equivalent to 12 years of gutter cleaning. There is also the factor to consider that you will have to clean gutters with the gutter guards every few years. During this process you will have the gutter guard company come back out to remove the guards. I am sure they will not remove and reinstall them for free. The other aspect you need to look at... how long are you really planning to stay in the house before you up-or-down grade.
Ask The Builder suggested to be aware of salesmen who tell you all of the organic debris is washed away by rain or blown away by the wind. It is not true. At the last local home show I test what Tim suggested. I went to the small gutter guard setup with water cascading down a little roof, across the guard and into a gutter. I tore off a small piece of paper and drop it onto the running water. As Tim guarantee, the paper was carried into the gutter.
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Andy
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www.HandyPro.comOctober 2012
I hope he did install a gutter guard system. It is very much needed if he has large trees around his house, especially since he is starting to have difficulty climbing ladders. He should also do something about the plants themselves, I think. You see, his gutter problem would be just another come-and-go thing if the source isn’t addressed at all.
ReplyDeleteA gutter system is very advisable for Donny, though I do hope he hasn’t been spending more money for the repair and replacement of those gutters that are filled with leaves and eventually breaks down. Gutter guards not just extend the life of the gutters but also helps homeowners avoid from having to replace their gutters earlier than they should.
ReplyDeleteAllyson Sunde
Gutter guards don't provide foolproof protection. They just reduce the amount of debris that enters your gutters, making them easier to clean. There are different types of gutter guards, and each has their own distinctive use. This is why we must always seek an expert before buying and having one installed. Also, it is advisable to get familiar with the structure of a gutter guard to understand whether or not it can protect your gutter properly.
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