Downspout strainers
Downspout strainers are used to keep downspouts from plugging. They come in various sizes, shapes, hole-size and material.
When choosing a downspout strainer, it is important to keep in mind what is filling up your gutters and what is plugging your downspouts.
Expanded Mesh
The most commonly used downspout strainer is the expanded mesh. Unfortunately, this is not the best type to use for most people. The mesh is too fine and restrictive. It plugs early and is easy to install improperly. Instead of preventing the downspout from plugging quickly, it accelerates how quickly it plugs. I think the reason why so many people by these is because retailers make a larger profit margin on them and they are about the least expensive. As a home owner, I think it's foolish for me to spend $2 less on a downspout strainer and pay much more to have the downspout unplugged.
Picture of expanded mesh downspout strainer to go here.
Bird Cage
A better downspout strainer to use is the "birdcage". It is usually made of steel or aluminum. It must be installed properly. When it is installed properly, it provides good water flow, proper hole size to let smaller particles through and it lasts a fair amount of time. They come in small, medium and large. I usually use the medium size and reform it to fit small downspout openings. This gives a larger surface area in which to strain debris. This downspout strainer works well for leaves and needles.
Picture of bird cage downspout strainer to go here.
Gutter Pump
The worst downspout strainer I've seen is the "Gutter Pump"TM. It basicly caps the downspout opening and is quickly plugged as sediment forms around the bottom of the opening. Except for newly fallen leaves, this does the opposite (and very quickly) of keeping your downspout openings from plugging.
Picture of "gutter pump" to go here. |