June 13, 2011 11:48am by Team | 
You guys may know that I’m a fan of Do It Yourself gutter guards. A few years ago I posted about the success I’ve had with the American Plastics gutter guards that you can buy at Home Depot and other home stores. They aren’t perfect, but they are an incredibly economical solution to the comedy of the gutter guard contracting industry.
Here is a realistic review of the Do It Yourself gutter guard plastic mesh shields:
I installed this same DIY Depot guards on my gutters in CT. They install easily and work well…..well, in the summer.
After getting overflow due to gutter blockage the next spring, I climbed up to view the problem. Their lack of rigidity (thickness and strength) had allowed all of them to sag in the middle from snow and ice weight, and their width did not allow them to slip far enough under the shingles and some fell into the gutter at the shingle side. Also, those that had not collapsed had taken on a permanent bend allowing debris to collect in their centers, which like the gutter themselves, required cleaning out.
These would be super if you do not live in the northeast or anywhere snow and ice can accumulate on the eves. You don’t, the choice is to have something professionally installed, like one of the high rated micro-mesh systems, or find a way to prop up the DIY plastic ones so they don’t sag. Else, might as well get used to cleaning gutters every other year….or more ofter depending on how many trees are with reach of your roof.
I am also in CT and I pretty much agree with the general opinion. My gutter guards have not collapsed anywhere and they appear to be holding up fine. They do sag a bit in the center. Though I’ve noticed that this sag is enhanced when the guards are installed upside down, which is EXTREMELY easy to do. In fact, I installed the product upside down in a section of gutter, realized it, and left it that way on purpose… just to see what happens. That is the only section where I can see any significant sag.
Sure, some debris collects on top of the gutters, but it is much easier and quicker to clean this off than to dig into filled gutters and remove gobs of leaves, seeds, and twigs. I almost never clean anything and they seem to work fine.
And when the time comes to re-install, I’ll pay the $100 or $200 and do it myself in a couple of hours and be set for another 5 years.
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My solution to expensive rain gutters that clog, sag and rot out is a little different from what I’ve read on this blog so far: I invented a new type. I’m currently testing it, and from the looks of it, this works great. I estimate material cost at just over $1/linear foot. Installation can be do-it-yourself or contractor. I think the design will protect fascia boards from rotting and clean out couldn’t be much easier. Ice dams in the winter is a concern I haven’t considered, here in sunny So. Cal. I’ll have to examine that question. I’m mulling over commercializing this, assuming all tests prove positive. Probably a franchise. I don’t mind if you contact me with comments, questions. Email to abinc@aol.com.