# Do you have gutter helmets? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013 "2014-06-30T16:14:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/22 "2014-07-01T19:11:10Z")
I had a guy from Leafguard come out to look at my three bedroom ranch and got some insane quote of around $5,000. And, of course, he decided that my gutters were misaligned so they would have to do that as well or else they couldn’t do the guards. Anyway, I went with the Home Depot ones for 50¢ a foot and ninety minutes with my son helping clip them on. The Leafguard guy warned me that they would cause my house to explode or something but I’ll take my chances. They do shed some water off the top in heavy rains but most of it goes through. With a couple large sugar maples in the front yard, the gutters are perpetually clogged up otherwise so I’ll accept the little bit of runoff versus the previous overflow from jammed up downspouts. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/23 "2014-07-01T19:19:05Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > One thing I wonder about those gutter helmets–how much does it restrict water flowing into the gutter? Have you ever gone out in a **heavy** rain and verified that the water isn’t just flowing over the front of the gutter and onto the ground? The ones I have have a little lip at the end (imagine it like a little checkmark) which I assume is to help slow the run-off water and have it pool back through the mesh/slots. We had a heavy storm last night and I actually did go outside to check. There was some water pouring over but the downspout itself was spewing a small torrent so I assume most of the water was finding its was in. Only part that really poured off was a concave corner by the front door where it’s picking up water from both sides sort of funneling in. But that part has always had a lot of run-off and used to be consistently full of leaf/seed debris since everything settled there as well. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/24 "2014-07-01T20:00:41Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I installed [this type](http://www.nombach.com/images/products/gutters/gutter-leaf-relief-01.jpg) on my house gutters where needed. They sort of “click” onto the front lip of the gutter, and have a silicone-type gasket at the back where they touch the back of the gutter. They were easy to install except for a few places where my older gutters had been dented and weren’t perfectly straight. They seem to work well, some junk still gets in but not much. During heavy rains I’m sure the water flows over them, but that’s not a big deal to me because with so much water during a thunderstorm uncovered gutters will overflow too. Those are similar to what I have, but mine have a [mesh](http://optea-referencement.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Diamond-micro-mesh-gutter-guards.jpg) over them, that’ll probably come off at some point. I want to say the mesh on mine is on top, but I could be wrong. Either way, I do notice that when it rains heavily I get some overflowing at the corners, but that’s fine if it means I don’t have to clean my gutters 3 times a summer. I will try to find something to close up those ends though. I figured that if anything got in there it would be so little it would just get washed down, but I didn’t think about animals. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/25 "2014-07-01T21:03:56Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > It’s not what you asked, but one of our previous neighbors had a ranch home and had the greatest approach to cleaning gutters. He fashioned a PVC pipe attachment to his leaf blower that had a 180° turn at the far end. He just walked along and blasted the crud out every once in a while. Another option; the company that makes the Roomba vacuum cleaning robot also makes [one to clean gutters](http://www.irobot.com/us/learn/home/looj.aspx). ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/26 "2014-07-01T22:10:50Z")
I came here to mention the roomba Looj (what kind of a name is that?) and I missed it by an hour and two minutes. Has anyone tried one of these? I, unfortunately, don’t have gutters or I’d volunteer to check it out. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/27 "2014-07-01T22:22:00Z")
Another approach that I have seen is to fill the gutter with 3 or 4 inch [drain pipe](http://t.homedepot.com/p/Advanced-Drainage-Systems-3-in-x-10-ft-Corex-Drain-Pipe-Solid-03540010/202522641/). Previous owner of our house did and it works well. Cheap to try. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/28 "2014-07-02T10:51:50Z")
I don’t understand the use of the drain pipe - how does it work? Seems to me by putting that in the gutter, you may just as well remove the gutter altogether. I must be missing something. And I’m aggravated. Yesterday I was stood up by the company that was supposed to give me an estimate for cleaning. I’m going to assume since it’s a local company that they’re fairly small and all of their people were working and unable to make it here. They’re getting one more chance before they’re off the list. Gutter Helmet guy is supposed to be here at 10 today. We’ll see what he has to say, altho I suspect we won’t be able to afford him. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/29 "2014-07-02T11:47:22Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I don’t understand the use of the drain pipe - how does it work? Seems to me by putting that in the gutter, you may just as well remove the gutter altogether. I must be missing something. That drain pipe/tile has [small holes](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pgULqibs1Qk/TAW89RSx2gI/AAAAAAAABZg/GHP7m5iP7i4/s1600/IMG_0448.JPG) in it. The idea is that you feed it into your gutter and when it rains the water goes into the pipe but the debris doesn’t. I just wrote up an entire paragraph about why it’s not going to work because I thought jasg said their neighbor’s tried it, but I guess if it works it works. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/30 "2014-07-02T11:54:41Z")
The link said it was a solid pipe, which is what confused me. But I still see holes getting clogged. Considering the gunk my husband dug out the other day, I can’t imagine any system keeping all the debris from accumulating. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/31 "2014-07-02T13:33:23Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > That drain pipe/tile has [small holes](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pgULqibs1Qk/TAW89RSx2gI/AAAAAAAABZg/GHP7m5iP7i4/s1600/IMG_0448.JPG) in it. The idea is that you feed it into your gutter and when it rains the water goes into the pipe but the debris doesn’t. > > I just wrote up an entire paragraph about why it’s not going to work because I thought jasg said their neighbor’s tried it, but I guess if it works it works. It may work in some sense, but I think there would be long-term issues with having a drain pipe like that in the gutters. The holes are large enough to let in some debris, which will settle in the grooves and provide a nice compost for things to grow in. Depending on the size of the pipe, it could cause water to backflow under the shingles or splash against the fascia board. It would keep the large leaves out, but I think it will cause a larger problem eventually. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/32 "2014-07-02T16:28:41Z")
We had Thompson Creek (they’re a local outfit, but have a pretty big presence in our area, **FCM** ) install a gutter system ~4 years ago that has covers to keep the debris out. It cost around $2000 for 80 feet of gutter, and it’s worked like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/33 "2014-07-02T17:24:16Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > I came here to mention the roomba Looj (what kind of a name is that?) and I missed it by an hour and two minutes. Presumably luge, a sled going down an open trough, with creative spelling for trademarkability. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/34 "2014-07-02T17:46:14Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > That drain pipe/tile has [small holes](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pgULqibs1Qk/TAW89RSx2gI/AAAAAAAABZg/GHP7m5iP7i4/s1600/IMG_0448.JPG) in it. The idea is that you feed it into your gutter and when it rains the water goes into the pipe but the debris doesn’t. More importantly, the grooves in the pipe channel the water around the pipe and into the gutter. > [@](#): > > I just wrote up an entire paragraph about why it’s not going to work because I thought jasg said their neighbor’s tried it, but I guess if it works it works. We have only had the house for two years and it still works without cleaning. It keeps large debris & leaves out of the gutters, small stuff either washes through or builds up slowly. Time will tell but it is a winner so far. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/35 "2014-07-02T18:24:39Z")
The sales guy from Gutter Helmet came here and did his spiel. I don’t think he was happy that I didn’t let him in the house - I met him in the driveway, and stayed out there while he measured and worked up an estimate. I really didn’t do that as a ploy - I just didn’t want to deal with the animals if he’d come into the house, but it worked out in my favor. We have 178’ of gutters - more than I’d thought - and with the “discounts” it would cost us $3755 if we send a deposit by Saturday. Otherwise, it’ll be $4005 thru the end of the month. Less than I expected, I must say. However, we figure for that amount, we can have our gutters cleaned twice a year for 12 years. We may not be living here in 12 years, plus if we have the semi-annual cleaning, we don’t have to shell out the entire amount in the next month, or however long it’d take them to have an install opening - he said they’re about a month out right now. Naturally, he wanted an answer today, and he suggested I go talk to my husband right then. I told him we had other options to consider and we wouldn’t be making a decision today. Since he was already outside and it was pretty hot, he didn’t argue, except for pointing out twice that he’d driven 2 hours (an exaggeration based on where he’d come from) and that he wanted to get paid this week, as if that was my problem. Had we looked into this when we first moved in, I think we’d have gotten the helmets without a second thought. But all things considered, I think we’ll opt to write a check in the spring and in the fall. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/36 "2014-07-02T19:21:38Z")
That hard sell would have been a deal-breaker for me, regardless of whether the product made sense for my situation. ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/37 "2014-07-02T19:32:09Z")
Back when I had a land line my caller ID would show a missed call from Gutter Helmet almost every day for a few months. I kept thinking some poor old German guy named Helmet Gutter had the wrong number and was confused why he couldn’t get a hold of anyone. A few years later I was made aware of the company and felt like an idiot. To stay on topic, when we bought the house it had these crappy screens over the gutters which managed to clog up just fine AND make it impossible to actually clean the gutters. I’ve since installed extra wide gutters and downspouts and I clean them by walking around the roof with a leaf blower a few times a year. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/38 "2014-07-02T19:35:49Z")
\*\*Mooch \*\*- we tried the leaf blower, but unfortunately, the stuff in the gutters tended to stay wet and clumped, so my husband still had to scoop crap out. Salad tongs helped… ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/39 "2014-07-02T19:53:31Z")
I’ve been following this thread because I was considering a similar system but after reading of the hard sell plus the price :eek: I think I’ll just continue cleaning mine out myself 2-3 times a year. Or paying the guy who mows my lawn $25 per pop. They’d make sense on a large or high house, but mine is small and I can reach all the gutters with a 6- or 8-foot stepladder. Like **Mooch** , I’ve had the inexpensive wire mesh screens on a previous house. The maple helicopter seeds still got in there and the gutters still got clogged with debris over time. Plus they were much harder to clean out because…the screens were in the way! I’d go on the roof and blast them with a hose but generally: would not recommend. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/40 "2014-07-03T05:46:38Z")
I looked out my 2nd storey window at the rain gutters for the 1st floor roof and considered buying a gutterclutterbuster attachment for my shop vac. Then I decided against it since I’m just renting and it’s an option that the landlord wouldn’t reimburse me for – and I don’t know if I’ll need it once I buy my own place. Anyway, if you guys have a shop vac (and they’re pretty cheap now-a-days) you might consider buying or making such an attachment to be able to reach up from ground-level and suck the debris out of the gutters without risking a fall. Shop glasses and maybe a brimmed hat might be a good idea when you’re doing the work, too. –G! ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013/41 "2014-07-03T15:02:30Z")
How do the gutter helmets keep out maple helicopters and, once they are in there, how is it possible to clean them out? We have a wealth of maples, oaks and pine trees in our yard, so the gutter are under constant assault. When we moved in the gutter had screens on top. They were soon covered with a mat of vegitation and were impossible to clean so we took them down. I just can’t picture how a product can catch all the water but reject everything else. Don’t helmeted gutters need cleaning eventually? Less often than open gutters, certainly, but it looks like covered gutters would be a pain to clean. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-gutter-helmets/692013.md?page=3)