rain gutter "leaf guard" systems (roof, curtain, installed)

[DubyaM]

Its that time of year; what's the best "leaf guard" system. I can handle my chore easily with a 7-foot stepladder but I'm getting too old to be totin' it around anymore.

[HWTechGuy]

I had Gutter Helmet on my old house. It's a split-level and the upper-roof was just too darn high. I cleaned those gutters once and that was it. After the Gutter Helmet was installed, they never had to be cleaned again.

My new place is a single-story, and I just use my backpack leafblower and some PVC pipe - no ladder required. I can clear all the gutters and downspouts in under 20 minutes.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Hire someone.
"Leaf Gaurd", "Gutter Helmet", etc., are gimmicky at best.

There are those that swear by them, but you should see the stream that comes off of those when you're getting 1/2"+/hr.- it's like a water curtain.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by DubyaM

I can handle my chore easily with a 7-foot stepladder
but I'm getting too old to be totin' it around anymore.

Then get some help. My guy goes up top with a 5gal pail.

...what's the best "leaf guard" system.

Along with a strainer at each downspout... exactly what you've been doing.

[RyanR]

Originally Posted by HWTechGuy

I just use my backpack leafblower and some PVC pipe - no ladder required. I can clear all the gutters and downspouts in under 20 minutes.

My roofs aren't steep (3/12 pitch) so I just go on the roof with the backpack blower and blow them out. Over 100' of gutter in about 3-4 minutes.