I just happened to see, Menards’ is blowing cheapo gutter leaf guards out online:
These are not the greatest, so I wouldn’t use them in a hard spot to get to, really high, etc., but at 5’ up...?
I been taking care of many small projects here today. Too many to list. But, an interesting one was a quick take-apart of a (also cheapo) LED / Solar security light from Menards. It looks practical to replace the battery cell with TWO of higher capacity. It “probably” is practical to pull out the solar panel for relocation on a long wire, replacing its spot on the unit with a blank plastic or metal piece / panel.
For a cheapo this thing is bright. I doubt it’s really 1200 lumens as claimed — I’d say more like 600, but, it’s enough for a small area security light, plus it runs at 20 lumens (may actually be “close” until something triggers the motion sensor.)
Another test will be to see if our cat triggers the light within, say, 10 ft. away. If yes, one of these goes up by the chicken house. Not for the cat! For raccoons and opossums...
Still looking at gutters and now looking at Menard’s. They have two thicknesses of aluminum available, 0.019” and 0.027”. Lowes is 0.0185” which is thinner than Menard’s thin stuff and Lowes has no heavy duty version.
The HD at Menard’s is 16’ long while light duty at both places is 10’ long.
40% thicker would require less hangers and just be better in general. I need 72’ plus some to hang off the end of each side to reach the inlet of the tanks.
5 lengths x 16’ is 80’. The price for the 16 footers is $32 or $160 for the five. Less hangers, less splices and those gutter accessories are cheaper than Lowes.
Those leaf guards aren’t stocked at the local Menard’s but they do free ship-to-store and looks like they’ll work with the gutter I’m looking at and, a 25 pack of 3’ is 75’. I can cover the ends that hang off with something solid since there’s no roof to run off into them.
And of course as I’m researching gutter, we had 1.45”or rain here today that probably would have been enough to fill a tank or two.
Just looking at Menard’s weekly ad and they also have aluminum leaf guards which look to be better than the vinyl and are made by the same company as the gutter they sell and it’s in stock at the local store. Screws to the front and back of the gutter and strengthens it. Black to help prevent/melt ice. Screws included.
20 foot for $11(normally $27) - https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/gutters-accessories/gutter-accessories/spectra-metals-armour-shield-gutter-cover-5-pieces-per-box/ashield4/p-1494310841625-c-5812.htm
It’s about time for a Menard’s trip. Rest of the gutter stuff will come later but I might as well get the leaf guard while it’s on sale. Sale would save $60 and sale ends on the 17th.