Black Amerimax Home Products 4400 Downspout Filter

The design of this product is quite unique though it makes such good sense that I'm not sure why more downspouts are not the same. This downspout has an easily accessed grate close to ground level that filters out leaves and other debris before they get into outflow pipe (which usually in this kind of application, is buried under soil and/or mulch). While overwhelming amounts of debris might still get stuck up in the gutter (requiring periodic cleaning), this grate has already caught leaves which I easily removed. The caveat of course is that the grate has to be cleaned after major rainstorms which, here in Colorado, are usually periodic and not frequent. I will have to use this grate through the upcoming year to know for sure if its effectiveness continues. For now, I am strongly recommending it.

I am so glad I got these. I have sponges in my gutters that trap the majority of stuff that they come into contact with and when I do clean my gutters twice a year I purposefully spray the junk from the gutters towards the downspout as this thing catches the rest. Just pull out everything by hand and lets the water drain into my tile and away from my foundation walls. Extremely glad I found this product.

This product does exactly what it is supposed to do. It prevents leaves, acorns, twigs, etc from passing through your gutter system into drain tile or where-ever the water goes from your gutters. The only weak point that I noticed is that the "screen" is a lightweight molded plastic part that under extremely high water flows can dislodge and let debris through. So far this has only happened to me once, so I don't consider it to be a big problem. If I was really concerned about it I could wire it into place, but so far it hasn't been much of a problem so I haven't bothered to. Bottom line, I'd buy this product again.

I got this to use for a rain barrel. This is a much cheaper option than getting some intricate, complex system. Very sturdy and will hold up to elements for many years.

I didn't give it 5 stars because when it came I noticed that it is open to let the water out before it gets to the pipe. this is to wash the leaves away. Anyhow they didn't picture that feature when I bought it and I can't use it. We have gutter guards and I wanted all the water from the downspout to go into the pipe leading to the street. It wouldn't pay to send it back, so it went to the thrift store. If you want it to wash your leaves away, then I imagine it would be 5 stars.

I cut the duct part, and hot-glued a screen to filter out pine needles and other debris. Since water can spill over, I made a rubber rectangle insert that acts as door. Very nifty product, thanks

had serious problem with small leaves in the rainwater collection filter--this simple device separates all the debris and allows water to continue to the storage tank--i added a piece of screenwire to separate the smallest leaves

Has anyone who gave this product 5 stars actually been outside to see it while it’s raining? More water pours out of the opening than goes through it, completely defeating the purpose of installing it. Great idea but poor execution. Needs a door over the enclosure that keeps the water in but can be opened for clean out. I bought 2 and used one to cut up and make my own door.