This photo is very descriptive of the topic of this post. See the gimmick in the gutter? It looks kind of like a badminton birdie. Here in the northwest, where we have lots of runoff water, it seems like people are always looking for gimmicks and gadgets that will perform miracles so they no longer have to do routine maintenance on these critical drainage systems. The miracles that often do not work include elementary gutter guards which are a good enough idea but I find that the gutters below them are always blocked with crud anyway. But, due to the gutter guard, you often cannot even see the problem without performing acrobatics. Then there are the crazy downspout extensions that are big green retractable plastic bladders with numerous holes. If they even operate at all, then they still dump all the water next to the foundation. An amusing video showing just how wonderful they can be is at this link. Be prepared to be underwhelmed. Then of course there are the guards, shown above in the photo, that, in theory, keep the water flowing and the downspout clear. If you buy that idea, then look at the photo a second time. Spending a couple bucks on a gimmick or a gadget does not mean that one can ignore home maintenance concerns from that date forward. The cheap and easy way is often not the best way. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
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Steven,
The best part is they admit they direct the overflow to the property owners next door.
Thanks Steven. I cleaned my gutters on this beautiful sunny day in anticipation of the rain's return on Tuesday. I have downspout guards installed, but that doesn't eliminate the need to clear the guard of mud, leaves, and pine needles.
I guess the best gimmick is to just get up there and clean the darn things out. My husband was up on the roof today trying to get rid of the ice!
Steve, you certainly susceeded in "underwhelming" me :) Have you seen the extensions that unroll when water comes down them and then roll back up when it is done raining---like one of the blow noise makers at new years eve? Some of the full length gutter guard/covers seem to work pertty well---some better than others.
I was, as promised, underwhelmed. Just clean 'em out, keep them flowing. There is no magic fix is there... Unless of course you can find an out of work squirrel who will work for peanuts keeping your gutters free of stuff.
Charlie,
That video has one of those in it. The thing fails to extends and dumps water all over.
Steven, yeah, there is no substition for just cleaning them - or in my case paying someone to do it for me.
No---I am talking about one that rolls back up all by itself----didnt' see that kind in the video---but then again maybe I should not have watched it with my eyes closed.
Charlie,
Had that one unrolled as it should, then it was suppossed to roll back up again. Instead it behaved like a beached whale while spewing.
Any one who buys one of those gadgets as advertised on TV needs to live in the nest with Charlie B's assistant...
Helping you help others live their American dream...
Truly underwhelming. Is that a sea anenome growing in that downspout hole?
When I was a kid we had that "green thing" but ours was spring loaded, very high tech for the 60's. It clogged in short order and stopped working.
Burying a drain tile does not work when it too clogs up. But, being buried, it is harder to clean out!
I often have to remind my clients that they still have to remove the 60 pounds of debris even with the gadget =)
Thanks for the timely post,
Paul
It makes a good dam in the gutter. The guy in the video looks like Billy Jays cousin.
Silly, underwhelming and worthless? We ARE discussing Nutsy, right?
That reminds me that I need to go take a look at mine in the spring...along with powerwashing the house.