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Gutter Covers
Thinking of
purchasing a gutter guard system to keep your gutters
clean?
For over a
decade I've been searching for a product that performs as
advertised and is within the financial means of most of my
neighbors. What have I learned?
Go straight to the Good
News
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There are a few "High-Priced"
systems on the market that perform as
advertised as long as you read the fine print.
They can run you $3000-$4000 for installation.
This price includes the necessary 're-hanging'
of your existing gutters. They claim that
they will never clog. The simple fact
is that they've been around long enough now to
enable a savvy shopper the ability to find many
reviews online. No names here because we do not
want to offend anyone. "In my experience, there
is absolutely No System that eliminates ALL
solids from entering the gutters." There is
only one way to clean a gutter with a solid,
permanently fixed cover attached, that is to
remove it. At this level of pricing, a
homeowner can easily afford regular gutter
cleaning. Lets see, at
$120 charge, the $3000 install fee would pay
for over 25 years of service.
So is
this type system a good investment? --Just
something to consider when
shopping.
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Tired of This? Is there a
product that REALLY WORKS and is REASONABLY
PRICED?
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I've tested
numerous types thru the years on my
customer's homes.
See what I've
learned*
*This
is a non-scientific study. No
specific brands are named or are
implied by photos. Simple
observations made from homes on the
NJ shore to the Pocono Region, PA.
Viewed as a consumer as well as an
installer
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All Gutter Guards
do stop large leaves from entering the
gutter channel, but they also allow small
organic debris to enter the gutter system or this
debris clogs the gutter guards causing water to
cascade off the roof.
Which defeats the
purpose of the gutters to begin
with? These pictures
depict common problems with high-tech style
guards. They can become clogged and those
pesky wasps just love that warm, damp
environment to nest. Below, note the blockage
of pine needles and stains from the obvious
overflow.
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You've seen all these types
in the local Home Store
I've removed
all these from various homes due to
either improper installation of the
solid-slotted type or simple failure due
to the weight of ice and snow damage as
in the case of the screen types.
Remember all gutters or guards
might need cleaning at one point or
another*. So the Aluminum
screen type (No. 4) does have the clip on
the front enabling the homeowner to raise
the grill and clean the gutter. The other
types require sliding out the entire
section from the shingle.
Note: Anytime you
are performing any maintenance involving
the shingle you risk causing damage or a
leak. Its a simple fact of
life.
*Note: At least one very
expensive brand includes a "FREE
Cleaning" if they ever clog.
Reality Check Here - they don't clog since
most everything, including rainfall runs right
over the top of the gutter
system.
From my
experience, No 4 is the most practical but is
not very attractive. Gives a very irregular
appearance from ground level and draws the
viewers attention to the gutters, exposing any
irregularities.
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This is just an
example of the newer "Filter"
type guards on the market.
There are a few brands with
slightly different shapes and
made from different materials.
Manufacturers all claim the
product material will hold up
to the sun's UV rays.
Suggestion: if
considering this type, search
the web for reviews of these
product types. Most of these
types are apparently sold ONLY
with installation. I found it
near impossible to obtain
pricing on these product
types. My personal
concern with this type of
"Filter" is that the
cells within the
filter material would tend to
clog depending upon the type of
trees (seeds) in your location.
I cannot speak from experience
on this type since I have never
seen it installed. I can only
say that the companies I
attempted to contact would not
supply prices or respond to my
online enquiries.
I would say
that the appearance of this
type would be excellent since
nothing is exposed above the
gutter and nothing has to slip
under the existing shingle
line.
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I found
a system that
I will recommend........finally. I only wish
I had invented it -
the GutterBrush Gutter Guard
Affordable
Protection at last!
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| Serving ALL Monroe
and Pike Counties, PA. Bushkill, Country Club of
Poconos, Dingmans Ferry, Estates at Great Bear, Hemlock
Farms, Marshalls Creek, Middle Smithfield Township, Pine
Ridge, Pocono Mountain Lake Estates, Pocono Ranch Lands,
Saw Creek Estates, Shawnee, Tamiment, Winona Lakes, Wild
Acres, Blue Mountain Lakes, Penn Estates, East
Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg, Mt Pocono and Bucks County, PA.
Quakertown, Doylestown, Buckingham, Hellertown, Newtown,
Riegelsville, Perkasie, Chalfont
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