Advantages of gutter guard

Donald

Donald

Joined
Mar 21, 2004
Messages
31,988
Location
Near the beach in Delaware
These are Atlas brand (I think) fine mesh gutter guards.

Maybe no gutter card would be the same result.

Been this way for a week.

PXL_20250116_201530317.webp


PXL_20250116_201513098.webp
 
I recently installed these fine mesh gutter guards myself, relatively easy process. However, I've read that ice buildup is likely to occur that leads to those long pointy dangerous icicles, so keep an eye out when the temps start varying a bit.

I should add that we got those icicles during winter even before I got the guards installed; it's just a warning I've read from others when doing the research into which ones to buy (and there are quite a few kinds available).
 
Dr_Dr3i said:
I recently installed these fine mesh gutter guards myself, relatively easy process. However, I've read that ice buildup is likely to occur that leads to those long pointy dangerous icicles, so keep an eye out when the temps start varying a bit.

I should add that we got those icicles during winter even before I got the guards installed; it's just a warning I've read from others when doing the research into which ones to buy (and there are quite a few kinds available).
Click to expand...
We went with the ones the roofing company recommends. The roofing company came highly rated by a high end builder I know.

I figured if the roofing company damaged the shingles they just installed putting up the gutter guards, it would be on them.
 
Do you think that's good? I suspect you're not impressed.

Looks like the melt-water is about to overflow the eves-troughs which will make icicles. And the ice extends above the bottom of the shingles leaving the roof under the shingles subject to water damage.
 
ecotourist said:
Do you think that's good? I suspect you're not impressed.

Looks like the melt-water is about to overflow the eves-troughs which will make icicles. And the ice extends above the bottom of the shingles leaving the roof under the shingles subject to water damage.
Click to expand...
Well we paid a lot of the new roof. It's got a lot of ice shield underlayment along with synthetic (not tar paper) underlayment.

However this snow and cold temps are not very normal in Delaware. If I get leaks the roof is guaranteed by the roofing company and shingles by GAF.
 
I owed a townhouse with [what I considered] a builder/design defect that allowed interior air into the attic, which then caused rapid melting and ice-dams. These pictures just gave me the shakes...
 
Very little in life is all pros and no cons.
This is the risk with the fine-mesh gutter guards (of any brand).

I have a generic kind; bought over web. They work great and I wouldn't not have them. But I do occasionally get similar ice issue, but not as bad as seen in the photos. I'll accept that over having to clean my gutters constantly (I live in a very wooded area) every spring and fall.
 
Those gutter guards don't work very well for steep roofs. I have a steep A frame roof and the water rolls down so fast it runs right over the gutters. Keeps out the leaves but also keeps out the water.
 
I installed these Amerimax hinged gutter guards about 20 years ago. They have worked great for me. No leaves get by or ice dams. Not real good if pine trees are nearby because of the somewhat larger holes in the mesh.. I took them down this summer for a roof replacement and reinstalled afterwards.. Good for another 20 years.

https://www.hartvillehardware.com/p...ping&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gad_source=1
 
In my area the only gutters that get put up are oversteps and doorways to due to ice damming issues. Open ended with no guards or downspouts. I'm in a lake effect snow zone. Roof rakes are a garage item for sure.
Just got a new shingle roof last summer, ice shield extends 4' above the roof edge.
 
Donald said:
Well we paid a lot of the new roof. It's got a lot of ice shield underlayment along with synthetic (not tar paper) underlayment.

However this snow and cold temps are not very normal in Delaware. If I get leaks the roof is guaranteed by the roofing company and shingles by GAF.
Click to expand...
We did much the same and still got ice dams. I think our problem was that the ice shield didn't seal fully (not high enough quality probably) combined with balloon framing (which probably made warming right above the walls worse).

Our only defense against ice dams forming was to rake the snow off the bottom few feet. That keeps the area cold enough that there is no local melting. No local melting, no ice formation.

If you've never had ice dams, count yourself lucky.
 
I can say since installing ours, I've never had to clean the gutters and it used to be quite often in Spring and again in Fall. We'll have to see how this winter progresses, but no icicles yet. We're supposed to see negative degrees for a few days but in the upper 30s today and tomorrow.

You could always install heated lines along the edge of the roof and into the gutters. They basically keep the roof dry and clear of snow/ice. They work either on timers or a set temp and seem to work very well at preventing ice dams.
 
repairman54 said:
In my area the only gutters that get put up are oversteps and doorways to due to ice damming issues. Open ended with no guards or downspouts. I'm in a lake effect snow zone. Roof rakes are a garage item for sure.
Just got a new shingle roof last summer, ice shield extends 4' above the roof edge.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I sure would like to see a pic of those ice shields.
 
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