Customer Reviews

Elko Products 03414 Gutter Genius DIY

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I installed the GuttaGard product over 15 years ago on my gutters. I have a hip roof with 8:12 pitch so had to bend the guards a little to install properly. Never had a clog or had to clean the gutters. We have those pesky Maple seeds (Helicopters), maple leaves, Oak leaves and all the associated blossoms from these trees. After 15 years I removed the guards for a new roof installation. There was about 1/8" of sediment in the bottom of the gutter but no vegetation.
If you have trouble installing the guard, cut a 3" to 4" piece and bend it until it fits properly to the gutter with a clip on it. Use the piece as a template to bend the full length guards. Also, the guard and clips removed were in very good condition and will be reinstalled. The guard only needs to go under the shingles and over the drip edge about 2 inches so it can be trimmed at the back edge. To install the clips attach to the guard then grasp the clip tightly with vice grips and pull onto the gutter.
Performance is a five star, but installation is only a three star.

I bought this product for its supposedly ease of installing. Anything but. The clips don't stay on firmly and when you try to hook it on the gutter it falls off the cover and the clip does not engage the gutter easily when you you use the screw driver to hook it into the gutter as instructed it all falls apart. Bought only one package of three,thank goodness. Had to cut one piece so can't bring back to store.

Very disappointed
harwich

When I bought my house, the original owner had left behind a stack of three different styles of gutter guards. He had one-piece vinyl gutter guards that slide under the shingle and I managed to take care of one side of the house in a half hour. The Elko GutaGard (AKA Gutter Genius) was the next challenge, but I was optimistic that it would be straightforward and I was excited that the product seemed to be an elegant design. Well, here's the problem: my gutters are 12 feet from the ground and they are not exactly straight. They have a few bends (not too noticeable from the ground) from the dozen or so times that a ladder was leaned against it and the gutter got squeezed. Sound familiar? Well, if your gutter is not new, these slight bends wreak havoc on installing the Guard. The clips will not clamp tight if the rim is warped. You'll find yourself fidgeting with screwdriver and a clip that has a tendency to slip off, and either fall to the ground or into the gutter, or into the gutter and down the down-spout (bye-bye little clip). As you're fooling around with twisting these little clips, try not to look down. Your feet will need to be very steady as your switching from holding pliers, screwdriver and metal shears. I'm still waiting to see how the Guards weather through a New England winter. I'm not convinced that the little clips would hold through a mild nor'easter. Even while I was twisting on some of the clips, some of the other clips would loosen, like fighting a losing battle. I lost a few clips that popped off into the bushes and now I have some left over sheets that I either need to order additional clips or just abandon the whole, painful process. The only plus side of the Guards is that it doesn't look too shabby if you have a roof that over-looks a lower roof. I guess my neighbor's house, which has a towering view over my roof, will appreciate the great pains of my labor.