Replies

1. 
   DanH | Feb 12, 2009 06:16pm | #1

   I've used the snap-on plastic gutter screens (found at HD) and have found that they work very well. We don't much of a problem with pine needles, though, and I understand those can foul the screens.

   Thought they don't explain it, the guards need to be notched around the ferrules or they won't fit tightly.

   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
1. 
   wane | Feb 12, 2009 08:52pm | #2

   needles aren't half as bad as maple/ash keys ... which clog the screens pretty quick!

1. 
   DanH | Feb 12, 2009 11:53pm | #4

   We have a large maple but it doesn't cause much trouble with the screens. They do fill up with seeds when it's seeding (looks like a lawn, with the tails of all the seeds sticking up) but the seeds fall through and wash away after a few weeks. Our ash is seedless, so don't know about that.
   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

2. 
   seeyou | Feb 12, 2009 09:18pm | #3

   I have it in my copper gutters.

   Let me qualify that: I've been in the gutter business for close to 30 years. I used to install Flo-Free, but not before I tried it on my own home for 3 years. I have lots of trees, about half of them are coniferous. Flo-Free works great. I've not had to clean my gutters for the 5 years I've had it in place.  The only problem I've had with it is squirrels pulling it out. Nuts will ocassionally get lodged temporarily between the sections and the squirrels will tear it up going after the nuts. It only happens in one place under a certain tree.

   The reason I seldom use Flo-Free is I've switched to Gutter-Filter. Similar concept, but Gutter-Filter's product works better in half round gutters which we do a lot of. Flo-Free works very well and I have no complaints with it, I just like Gutter Filter slightly better from the installers point of view.

   My biggest concern with either product was UV degradation. I don't see any signs of it after 5 years with the Flow-Free. We've done probably 15 jobs total with both products in the last two years and I've not had the 1st problem callback yet.

    

   http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

1. 
   nick29 | Feb 13, 2009 07:04am | #5

   Gutter filter is something I will be carrying this spring, made sense to me. In my area roofs are steeper, higher and more complex than anything 5 years earlier. No one in their right mind will do their own anymore. There aren't to many trees around the new developments so it's just a matter of time. For now I see guys making money on christmas light installs.

2. 
   Billy | Feb 14, 2009 10:01pm | #6

   CU,

   I always wondered how these work during heavy downpours.  I guess neither one of them causes water to splash across the top and over the gutter?

   Since it looks like Gutter-Filter fills up the gutter (not sure about this) does it slow down the flow of water enough to cause any backups in the gutters during a heavy rain?  I guess not or you wouldn't use them...

   I have galvanized screens that work pretty well but they do get maple seeds in them (not a big deal) as another poster mentioned.

   Thanks,Billy

1. 
   seeyou | Feb 14, 2009 10:24pm | #7

    it looks like Gutter-Filter fills up the gutter (not sure about this) does it slow down the flow of water enough to cause any backups in the gutters during a heavy rain? 

   Gutter Filter doesn't fill the gutter up completely. There's a pretty good sized triangle shaped area that remains open.

   I'm sure it slows the flow some, but if the gutters and downspouts are sized properly, it shouldn't have much effect and will certainly have less effect than an outlet partially obstructed by debris.

   Probably half the gutter systems I see done by others are undersized, but I tend to err on the big side if it's anywhere close.http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

1. 
   Billy | Feb 14, 2009 11:51pm | #8

   Good points -- the triangle cutuot to allow fast water flow across part of the cross-section looks like a good feature.

   Billy