Gutter guards vs gutter hedgehogs

[@ultimatehandyman]

A few years ago, I installed gutter guards and gutter hedgehogs in all gutters on this property, I’m now removing them all as they still mean you have to go up on a ladder to clean them out! Sorry for there being no upload last Sunday, but I was in Egypt. I hope everyone has a great Sunday 😉

[@blower1]

Should have done an Egyptian special - cleaning sand out of your pyramid.

[@decwow]

The purpose is to protect your underground pipes if you have them. When enough material gets down into the underground drains and clogs them, you have to have them pressure or snake cleaned out, and if that doesn't work you have to pull them out of the ground disturbing everything they are buried below. The two types you showed are for very LIGHT debris, anyway. If you have large trees or long leaf pines, you will need a much higher quality guard. If you don't have buried pipes, it's simpler to just do like you did here and just periodically clean them out.

[@yusuf.alajnabi]

Egypt oh how was it i have always wanted to go there but I haven't had the chance was it any good for a holiday ?

[@ultimatehandyman]

We went to Jungle Aqua park in Hurgada, this resort was massive with a water park, about 14 different swimming pools and about 8 different restaurants. The resort was superb and the food was pretty good for an all-inclusive. The kids absolutely loved it! We only left the resort once to go to the local mall, which was about 10 minutes’ walk away, there is a KFC and a McDonalds in the mall, you get the odd person trying to sell you something on the way to the mall but they are polite and don’t harass you like they do in some other places. We did not go to the Pyramids or anything as they were a long way away and all the kids wanted to do was swim all day!

[@SuperWayneyb]

👍🤓👍

[@jobaecker9752]

Thanks for that end tip! We looked at several different options for my parents' gutters. Here in america, we have about 5 different methods and products. After doing the math, we didn't buy any of the products, and instead hired someone to clean the gutters twice a year. Not only are they cleaned, they are mechanically inspected and maintained. A much better deal!

[@ultimatehandyman]

I did see a video once of some gutters in the US that were made from steel, which were rolled and had a slit in them. The water ran over the rolled part and into the slit. The slit was so thin that leaves or other debris would not be able to get in the gutter as the slit was on the edge rather than the top. They looked like a good idea, but I'm not sure how well they would work with the amount of rain that we get in the UK. Thanks for the comment Jo ;-)

[@jobaecker9752]

Ah yes, the good old product called "Gutter Helmet." It works, but after a while, you've got to open it up and clean out the small debris that has accumulated. The bigger problem is that we use mainly asphalt shingles, which shed their small, granular coating over time--and once those pebbles collect in the gutter and get wet, they can turn into an immovable sludge.

[@MrSolodriver]

I live in a bungalow, but half the gutter on one side is inaccessible apart from one end due to a carport. I have a hedgehog in that section only. Every spring I pull it out from the end, which also brings out all the muck which has fallen through it. Clean it then push it back in. I suppose I'm really using it as a very, very long bottle brush! Saves a lot of work and climbing on the roof!

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@biglittleplum]

You still have to clean a hedgehog, and the gutter, but at least they are stopping lots of debris from going into my soak away, and blocking that.

[@PhillipYewTree]

I have a problem with gutters getting clogged. Your video convinced me that the guards make extra work. They need cleaning and the gutter also needs cleaning. Extra cleaning doubles the problem. They have to be re-fitted after cleaning. An extra chore and extra hazard. Thanks for making the vid. Appreciated. .

[@ultimatehandyman]

I did think about making a vacuum for the gutter, that can be used from floor level. When I get some free time, I will see if I can make something ;-) Thanks for the comment

[@BarriosGroupie]

@@ultimatehandyman why bother when they already exist at £500 with a camera?

[@ultimatehandyman]

@@BarriosGroupie If I buy one at £500 and use it in my videos, the general response will be " yeah, like everyone is going to go out and spend £500 on a vacuum that is used once a year" 😉

[@spendtimesavemoneydiy]

Thanks for your honesty! Companies are only interested in taking your money not actually solving the problems! I will leave my gutters free and just clean them as and when needed.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@MaximumEfficiency]

yes

[@pb9926]

I agree totally as clearing them every so often is the only way to keep them clear and running.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Absolutely. Thanks for the comment

[@uktony1525]

Agree 100%. We had gutter guards fitted with new fascia, soffits and bargeboards, the idea being leaves would blow off the tops of the guards. The guards let moss through and very soon the new gutters were choked. This summer paid for cleaning and the company doing it said one of the worst gutters they had seen. Removed the guards completely.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment ;-)

[@davidwaine32]

Alls I can say is your an absolute legend! Literally about to buy the hedgehog, for are new gutters.. You’ve just saved us about 200 quid! 👌👌👌👌

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@ashleynaidoo501]

Same here, top review, especially since you did it with longer term outlook, really appreciate.

[@roadwarrior8560]

Good advice, I clean out my own gutters regularly and I have a lot to clean with outside sheds as well, can't beat elbow grease, subbed.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@naz-x]

Wow saved me the time and money was going to install the hedgehog on my new guttering whilst scaffolding was up post a loft conversion! Thanks won’t bother now as it’s probably far better to get up there with ladder very few years and clean it yourself!

[@ultimatehandyman]

Yeah, that is what I do now. I normally clean out the gutters once per year in late November, once all the leaves have stopped falling 👍

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

@@ultimatehandyman is that why the tail dissapeared

[@Rik.B]

Absolutely love your videos, I keep referring to them and your product recommendations. You truly are a pro and have used so many tips and tricks from yourself. I hope you get many many more subscribers, I keep telling everyone to look out for your videos.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for spreading the word and thanks for the comment ;-)

[@speedbird63]

I made my own gutter vac using an industrial type vacuum cleaner from Aldi and attached plastic tubing with joints to the end . Works a treat ! I live in a bungalow so it is relatively easy to clean my gutters from ground level .

[@ultimatehandyman]

I keep thinking about doing that myself, but keep getting sidetracked with other things! Thanks for the comment 👍

[@thehighwayman4013]

Thanks for the info. I was looking to install something like this at my house but I’ll just clean the gutters instead.

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome. Cleaning the gutters is the best option ;-) Thanks for the comment

[@mikes6844]

Cleaning gutters once every couple of years was quite alright but recently due to the torrential rain storms we’ve been having the debris has accumulated in the ‘swan necks’ connecting the gutter to the down spout. Really compacted black sludge. So even though my gutters were cleaned a few months back I still needed to get the ladders out to remove the blockage. Thanks for posting - hope you had a good holiday R Mike

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks Mike, the holiday was great ;-) We had a downpour like that on Friday, it certainly removed all the debris from the gutters as it was all over the floor! Thanks for the comment

[@BarriosGroupie]

Have you tried a down-pipe filter?

[@fesy734]

Thanks for the honest video. I just clean my gutter every spring anyway. Usually just moss and weeds etc in it. However, there was a small birds nest at the end of the guttering with an egg in it. So I carefully bought it down and put the nest and egg in a tree right below the gutters. I checked 2 day last later and the egg was gone....... hope it wasn’t stolen!

[@ultimatehandyman]

Some animal will have had the egg away, we have all sorts in our garden from squirrels to the occasional deer! Thanks for the comment

[@llamedosr7843]

My parents had their gutter professionally cleaned and the guys sent a drone up afterwards too show how clean they were. Cheap as well

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm going to have a go at making something to vacuum the gutters from the floor, or I'll try and find someone to do it for me ;-) Thanks for the comment

[@caskwith]

I bet you could make something good with compression jointed PVC pipe, easy to store then as well.

[@MatSmithLondon]

Wet and dry hoover, 4m hose, strapped to the end of a stick with a U-bend bracket on the end? It should work a treat.

[@GdaySport]

I have a massive tree outside the front of my house, and my roof tiles are textured which seems to be ideal for moss to grow on, so when it dies it rolls down into the gutter. It twice a year I'm up them ladders because they are blocked...

[@ultimatehandyman]

Trees are a real pain. We get stuff falling from the trees about 4 times per year, plus the patio goes green in no time!

[@DerekTJ]

I've found on my newer smoother surface gutters, silicone lubricant spray stops debris from clinging in the first place.

[@ultimatehandyman]

That's interesting, I might try that Thanks for the comment 👍

[@eclipsenow5431]

In Australia under gum trees we could end up getting someone out every fortnight or month! Instead - some here put the gutter-brush in and use it to deflect the gum leaves and hold them up higher. Then - if garden beds near the house prevent ladders getting in close - we can just put the A frame ladder at a safer distance and use an electric blower to blow leaf litter off the brushes every few months. It's about reducing the labour and making it safer, not eliminating the labour. AND we assume we'll have to take the brush out and clean it off every few years even maintaining it like this! Gum leaves are deadly when dry - and one spark from one of our Aussie climate mega-fires a few miles away could set our house on fire. It's a different land and different practice. But from where I am (admitting it's a totally different country) complaining that gutter-guards fill with gunk after a few years is like complaining that a toothbrush doesn't work because you have to brush your teeth twice a day!

[@ultimatehandyman]

I’m glad you agree that these guards are a waste of money 😉 Thanks for the comment 👍

[@TheBreaster]

You’d want a spacesuit on you if there is a Hedgehog in use and you want to clean out the gutters if there is any water in there.They make a right mess of paint work too

[@ultimatehandyman]

Yeah, all of these products seem to help for a short while- then make the original problem much worse! Thanks for the comment 👍

[@Keepingthefaith72]

Great vid , Totally agree there`s not much point in using either of them . Maybe you could do a video on whats the best way to clean out gutters , I know there are different types of equipment you can buy , But can never decide which to go for ?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I've seem commercial vacuum cleaners but they all seem to be >£1000 I have bought some 3 inch drain pipe and will have a go at making something soon. Thanks for the comment

[@Keepingthefaith72]

There`s also a cheap scraper Ive seen in screwfix that you attach to some rods , But Ive read good and bad reports about them ... Thanxs for replying .....

[@ultimatehandyman]

I have seen the profiled scraper and I did add one to my cart a few weeks back but then went somewhere else to buy the other stuff (I think it is still in my basket). I didn't know you could attach it to poles though! Thanks for the comment

[@imout671]

I've found gutter guards that are even with the edges so debris can roll over or blow over but water filters through. Works well. They fit under the shingle edge.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@decwow]

Russ Cherry They do, but they require you to install the gutter with specific tolerances in mind for the guard to function correctly. This sometimes means you have to reinstall the gutters. Not necessarily replace them, but in those cases you would have to massively adjust them.

[@frogeye22]

I've started using Lindab Self Cleaning Leaf Traps which are fitted on the downpipe - they seem to work pretty well, I'm thinking of fitting a sump at the bottom as well to be able to scoop out the sludge before it disappears into the drainage system.- it is useful to hear of your experiences with these preventative systems though - thank you

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome Thanks for the comment 👍

[@dickyknees3877]

At the end of the day you still have to get up and clean your gutters using gutter guards. I saw on an invention show on tv years ago a bloke made a hinged end peace for the end of the gutter that you simply open, hose out the gutter, then close the hinged end. Easy .

[@ultimatehandyman]

That is correct. Thanks for the comment

[@ChoppingtonOtter]

Just built our own house and was thinking about these - won't bother now! Useful vid thanks.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@carolcarroll-s6g]

We have a neighbour next door who has fitted a hedgehog in her gutter. She did it on advice fro her windowcleaner as the water from the whole row comes off the end of her house. Unfortunately the hedgehog is fitted from my house and when it rains the water pours over the front . Is the legal for her to do. Shes a very nasty neighbour and will do as she wants, theres no reasoning with her

[@yusuf.alajnabi]

Great video chez I will definitely be looking into getting the hedge hogs for my gutters trees near houses generally cause them to get clogged.

[@ultimatehandyman]

The gutter hedgehogs do help near trees for a while but then you end up removing them to clean them. If you get a few dry days it's easy to clean them just pull them out and give them a shake and then put them back in. Thanks for the comment

[@bscott77]

Really good honest review, was looking at something like this but as you say it kind of defeats the purpose of them if you have to remove them and clean them anyway

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@ranank.3336]

I had similar stuff already installed .. and when I moved to the house the second year I just took them off , they were useless. Thanks for the video.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@jesuiscequejesuis2267]

Are there other types that actually shed all leaves and debris and don't require any maintenance?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm not sure. I have seen a video of some metal gutters in the states, which are curved and have a slot in them for the water to run over, then it goes through the slot and into the gutter. Thanks for the comment

[@jesuiscequejesuis2267]

@@ultimatehandyman I haven't seen those, but I've seen ones that appear to be made of a mesh like a fly screen which I think is glued onto the edge of the roof so that everything other than water just runs off the roof. But I imagine it's damn expensive to install.

[@NotTeemo]

Thanks for the walk through however depending on where you live some local government actually require you to have gutter guard. hence I am still doing research on it.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@bogsdolics]

Hi Great video, I saw in a magazine sort of T-bags you through in your gutters and the bacteria in the T-bags rots the leaves and dirt , has anyone tried these ,thanks for any help ,G.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I've not heard of those before. Thanks for the comment

[@charliewindsor2992]

I agree it is actually a waste of time and money fitting either of these as the gutters still get blocked but it is then a slower more labour intensive process (expensive) to clean them out especially with the gutter guards which can take over three times as long as clearing the gutter in the old fashioned way, you are better off just cleaning the gutters out more often even if it ends up being several times a year

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@lost70s]

wind would the wind not pick up the hedge hog ?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I had them installed here for a couple of years and they never lifted with the wind. I don't use anything in the gutters now, I just clean them out once per year. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@MrFookface]

Brilliant video! Thanks! Helped me make up my mind.

[@ultimatehandyman]

👍

[@RexBanner_]

Every one or two years? Isn't that leaving it a while. Shouldn't it be every 6 month or annually if you're lazy?

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'll try every 12 months to begin with ;-) Obviously I don't think you'll be able to vacuum the gutters at certain times of the year as the debris in there will be too wet to vacuum up. Thanks for the comment

[@RexBanner_]

Ultimate Handyman cheers handyman.. Judging by the video and your response, your preferred method is to vacuum:) Can i ask whether you ever use the old school scoop and throw the crude away. If you're against this method, can i ask why? Also what vacuum do you recommend? Apologies if you've arleady answered this before

[@ultimatehandyman]

Yes, I try to avoid working at heights unless I get someone to foot the ladder. I do know a guy that fell from a ladder and eventually died, which is why I'll have a go at making something to vacuum from floor level. I'd throw anything from the gutter into the bin as it will contain sand etc from the roof. I've been using this vacuum for a few years, it was cheap and works well - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZDJg32JqbB2q5I

[@maurice1606]

Some of my gutters near trees need cleaning three or four times a year, while the others could probably go for two years.

[@lazylad9064]

Hope you enjoyed your holiday if it was a holiday. That seems a bit far to go on a job😂😂😂. I personally don't like these items as eventually you end up taking them out and cleaning the gutter.thanks for posting and I've heard someone in thialand wants a handy man.😁😁😁👍👍😀😀

[@ultimatehandyman]

It was good, thanks. (well the kids enjoyed it) Yeah, these items are not the good Idea I thought they first were! Thanks for the comment

[@garygeach]

Knew they were a waste of money. I use the gutter vacuum to empty gutters and these just make it impossible as stuff sits in the bottom of them as well

[@ultimatehandyman]

👍

[@50sRockChick]

Very useful video.thank you.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I’m glad you found the video useful Thanks for the comment 👍

[@carpii]

You're supposed to use clips to keep the gutter hogs in place. Even so, my roofer fitted a clip every meter, and after strong winds they still worked their way loose and hung down the front of my house. I ended up just taking them down and getting rid of them. I was told they wouldn't be that visible but they are, and pretty ugly imo

[@ultimatehandyman]

You don't have to use clips. I've had them installed for about 3 years without clips Thanks for the comment

[@carpii]

Oh ok, I was probably just unlucky. It was about 18 months ago when UK suddenly had extreme gale force winds, and this was only about 3 weeks after I had them installed so they just came loose.

[@ultimatehandyman]

I guess it depends how much over hang you have on the roof tiles, I have seen people use cable ties to hold them in some gutters. They were fine in my gutters, apart from eventually getting blocked.

[@BarriosGroupie]

I agree with your conclusion that getting a professional to vaccum them every one or two years is cheaper and more convenient in the long run. Plus you're playing a part in oiling the wheels of the economy by spending money on a service that isn't too expensive. The ironic thing about leaving leaves in your gutter is that they're effectively a biodegradable gutter hedgehog that prevents other leaves getting in; they also dry out in the sun and will be blown away in some cases.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@ForViewingOnly]

If you look at the micro-mesh products that they use in the U.S., both of the options in this video look like very poor alternatives. Both products in this video will hold on to leaves and debris and will still need regular clearing, and I wouldn't buy either of them.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the info!

[@NibbleTV]

That will save me a few quid. I will just keep them clean. Good work.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@zebakhtar4022]

Great vid.whilst watching this from begining i was thinking why bother with those in the first place.lol

[@ultimatehandyman]

I've lived in 5 houses, but this is the first one to be near lots of trees. I do not have much spare time, I work full time and try to get a video uploaded each week. The weather in the UK and the limited time I have available means I try to find better (time saving) options, I thought the gutter guards and gutter hedgehogs would help- but they just delayed the inevitable. Thanks for the comment

[@plunder1956]

I've used the Hedgehog style for several years now. To clean them I grip a strong metal garden rake head (with curved tines) in my workmate and pull the hedgehog lengths through it, a few times. This has proved very effective. I find hedgehog brushes really work; so I gradually replaced all my gutter guards & mesh guards with them. If you have a really wide gutter channel; between two roof sections. Say between the main house and a conservatory. One can make up a double width section using long cable ties and lengths of plastic pipe at 2 foot intervals (to form linking spacers). They are just as easy to remove. but harder to clean.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@TheOnlySgtRock]

Haha, "...vacuum out your gutters every one or two years." Hell, I have to do mine every one or two weeks be it spring or fall.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Blimey, that must be a nightmare! Thanks for the comment 👍

[@mrsteel9026]

Do the hh stop birds

[@ultimatehandyman]

I'm not sure. We have lots of birds around here, but they rarely go in the gutters.

[@jimmytai1915]

Thank you for sharing

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome Thanks for the comment 👍

[@jusb1066]

could always collect the dead hedgehogs, they are free!

[@ultimatehandyman]

LOL

[@priestof1]

Gutter guards suck they never stay on. One solution existed. The old timers had gutters you could flip via push rod. That's it, that's the only real solution

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@thakingjh]

Maybe try some steel eavestrough works way better

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@luckylarrikin1439]

Thanks mate!

[@ultimatehandyman]

You're welcome! Thanks for the comment 👍

[@davidyoung6608]

Neat video man.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment

[@jackwardley3626]

both a waste of time

[@ultimatehandyman]

👍