"How to: Install Gutter Guards Where There is No Roof Edge"

 By Ron Stultz

9 November 2009

Open, meaning not covered, house gutters and trees or more specifically, tree leaves, is not a good combination. Don't know about you, but I would like to never have to clean out house gutters again.

To solve my gutter clog problem, I bought and installed vinyl gutter guards. Gutter guards slip up underneath roof shingles on one side and "clip" on the gutter edge on the other side. Other than at corners where some cutting is required, installation of gutter guards is pretty easy. I do go to the effort of screwing them into the gutter however so they will not blow off or out of the gutter in a strong wind.

But, on my house, the gutter installers liked to carry a gutter around a house wall edge and then to a down spout. Fine and dandy but this means there is some run of gutter with no roof edge to use or support gutter guards. How to solve?

To install gutter guards where there is no roof edge:

- Bought a 8 foot piece of what is called "Tough Wood." Not really wood but a composite of some type, probably recycled plastic bottles or similar. And the reason for buying this type of material was that it will not rot. (Do not like replacing wood anymore than I like cleaning gutters out) and thus can be used to make a great gutter guard support piece, strip, length.

- Used a table saw but you could do with circular saw, jig saw or even a hand saw, to cut a 15 degree down angle on one edge, along the entire length, of my "Tough Wood." On house exteriors, 15 degrees is used a lot as the minimal rain drain, drip off, edge. Then from upper edge of 15 degree angle, measured down 1 inch and cut my "Tough Wood" on its length.

- On gutter section with no roof edge, measured length needed of gutter guard support.

- Using my guard support, I measured the required length and cut it off.

- Took gutter guard support and placed it right on back edge of gutter such that 15 degree down angle face was towards me. When all aligned like I wanted, used 2 "deck" screws to hold gutter guard support in place. Used "decking" screws as they will not rust.

- Now took piece of gutter guard and began to cut length of back and trying it, clipped to gutter in front and resting on my gutter support in the back. Took me several small cuts along the length of the gutter guard to finally have a perfect fit.

- With gutter guard resting on support along the back and clipped to the gutter in the front, I used 2 gutter screws to hold the gutter guard to the gutter guard support strip.

- With gutter guard firmly in place, caulked rear edge so water can not get down between gutter support and wood fascia board.

A lot of trouble? Would rather fix it right one time than have to clean out clogged gutters over and over again.