|
|
Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Nov 16, 2020 20:43:00 GMT -5
In the past I've just climbed a ladder and brushed out the leaves, but I'm becoming "ladder shy" as I age and am thinking about getting one of the gutter protection systems. A neighbor has one, is pleased with it, and said he hasn't cleaned gutters in years.
Any thoughts on this? Anyone have a system, and if so, what brand, and are you pleased with it?
Something I've wondered about is having a system that's closed except for the base of the downspouts, and mold building up in the gutters themselves. Has this been a problem for anyone?
|
|
|
|
Post by emmsmommy on Nov 17, 2020 12:07:15 GMT -5
I had the cheap gutter guards at one time and wasn't impressed. I'd like something more permanent too and would love to hear any insight as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by binnylou on Nov 17, 2020 12:44:28 GMT -5
SpringRain🕊️, You've previously mentioned selling/relocating. If you were to sell, you could let the buyer take care of the new guttering.
|
|
|
|
Post by James on Nov 22, 2020 14:57:31 GMT -5
When I built this house I am currently living in, I put on gutters, but no downspouts. I just let the end of the gutters extend out so the water would drip about 4 feet from the house.
|
|
|
|
Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Nov 22, 2020 17:11:34 GMT -5
binnylou , the problem with letting a seller fix them is that they're going to continue to need cleaning until such time as I sell, assuming the house can be sold for an acceptable price. The houses configured like mine have problems with ice dams, so that's always a concern as well. And I think the economic climate is going to be kind of uncertain until there's more political stability, which won't happen at least until January. One of the realtors I spoke with awhile ago about the value of homes in my specific neighborhood told me that Millennials are very interested in this area b/c it's close to a small city that's considered "funky". She said that homes in that city have been bought up, prices have skyrocketed, but homes in my area are desirable b/c they're cheaper yet close to the "action." Homes on the other side of the city are older, there's much more traffic, and more businesses. James , did you slope the gutters so the rainfall drains and doesn't just sit in the gutters?
|
|
|
|
Post by pondgardener on Nov 22, 2020 17:25:43 GMT -5
SpringRain🕊️, Ice dams and icicle buildup are concerns in areas where heavy snow and cold temperatures co-exist, as melting snow can refreeze, covering the holes. And the gutters will still need to be cleaned to remove smaller debris. It may be more cost efficient to just pay a gutter cleaning service/ handyman to clean the gutters yearly, especially if you are considering selling the house(s).
|
|
|
|
Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Nov 23, 2020 20:48:19 GMT -5
pondgardener, we do have heavy snow and cold temperatures, although with climate change the temperatures vary more and there are less cold spells, but also more changes in temperature, so there will be melting. I used to clean the gutters myself, but as I age, I'm not as comfortable getting on a ladder to do that. The best solution though was not only cleaning the gutters but using the heating cables my father installed on the roof. In fact, I had planned to have cables installed this year as the old ones aren't working at all. But I forgot about it. I think I can still get my electrician over to do it though. As to cleaning the gutters, thus far the only one I've found to do it charges $80, and that's for about 70 feet of gutter. The lawn service that handles my father's lawn cutting wants $120. I know getting up on a ladder is dangerous, but I thought was really too high.
|
|
|
|
Post by desertwoman on Nov 23, 2020 22:00:32 GMT -5
As to cleaning the gutters, I would hire a handyman. Their rates are better and usually quite reasonable and it's certainly not rocket science to clear gutters. I just cleaned about 45 ft of gutter yesterday and it took me maybe 35/40 minutes. |
|
|
|
Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Nov 24, 2020 13:12:04 GMT -5
desertwoman, you've raised an issue that I battled with last year: finding a handyman to do the work, then waiting. When one of the gutters separated from the garage, it exposed the fascia and a bit of the interior of the garage. After 12 calls to garage, roofing and handyman companies, 3 no shows, a potentially good worker who announced that he didn't like to get up early and showed up an hour late w/o even calling, another who I would have hired if he'd returned my call when I wanted to hire him, and a lot of frustration, I finally found a handyman company that took the job. They were so busy that they couldn't come for 2 months! But eventually I got the fascia and escaping gutters fixed. I hadn't thought about handymen but I will contact this company, even though the good worker was a no show for the last appointment we made. I think this need to rely on others to fix things is perhaps the most frustrating aspect of getting old, but I'm sure I'll encounter many more situations like this. Thanks for the suggestion.
|
|
|
|
Post by martywny on Nov 24, 2020 15:55:08 GMT -5
I think this need to rely on others to fix things is perhaps the most frustrating aspect of getting old, but I'm sure I'll encounter many more situations like this. "Necessity is the mother of invention." Not that I would expect you to invent a new gutter guard that can be installed from the ground while sitting in a recliner but maybe look into joining or creating a barter group. I have no problem cleaning my gutters, also did neighbors, mom's and the in-laws in the past but it is not something I would do for money. Now if the payment was a pot of beef stew and an apple pie or detailing my car then I have a good reason to clean gutters. I've been involved in groups where I provided technical knowledge, carpentry, and plumbing in return for things/skills that I needed. Think outside the box. BTW, I clean my 200' of gutters with the leaf blower; it takes about 5 minutes to clear everything out and blow out the downspouts. |
|
|
|
Post by James on Dec 3, 2020 14:37:35 GMT -5
"James , did you slope the gutters"
NO!
|
|
|
|
Post by mcool61 on Dec 5, 2020 18:36:10 GMT -5
I put that cheap plastic screen in mine kind of like plastic chicken wire. Never had to clean them after that. It had about pinky sized holes in it so nothing large could get through.
|
|
