Have you recently wondered, “Does my home need gutter guards?”
Chances are, if you are reading this article, you are seriously considering gutter guards, but you’re also not sure if they are worth the price and hassle. Gutter guards – sometimes called gutter covers – are essential in keeping bad debris out, but letting water flow in.
Leaves, sticks, pine needles, and other debris can quickly eradicate the structural integrity of your home’s rain gutters, so preserving your gutters with gutter guards is worth it. Today, we will explain why gutter guards are worth it and when to avoid them!
First, what are gutter guards?
Understanding how gutter guards work starts with the foundational understanding of rain gutters. Your home’s gutters are designed to collect and transport water flow during storms from your roof.
Using the trough channels, gutters and downspouts collect and displace away from your home’s foundation to prevent issues like erosion. If your gutters are free and clear, they will work great.
Clogged gutters, on the other hand, require attention. Without proper maintenance and cleaning, clogged gutters can lead to countless issues. This is where installing gutter guards comes in.
Gutter guards are simply a gutter protection system designed to preserve the lifespan of your home’s rain gutters. To prevent debris buildup and pest infestations, gutter guards come in multiple types and styles, each with pros and cons. Below, we will cover the function of gutter guards and types of gutter guards.
What Do Gutter Guards Do & 3 Reasons Why You Need Them:
Gutter guards preserve and protect. While new gutter guards cost money, they essentially offset paid gutter cleaning each year while also preventing common issues like overflowing gutters.
Below are a few reasons to consider gutter guards:
1. Prevent Blockage and water damage
The number one reason homeowners want to install gutter guards is to protect their gutter system from blockage. While gutter screens won’t get the job done, select gutter guards can effectively prevent blockage as a result of sticks, leaves, and other debris.
By preventing blockage with your gutters, you are preventing any chance of water damage from your gutters. Blocked gutters can cause numerous issues, from soil erosion to foundational problems. Water leaks within your home and roof issues can also come from unprotected gutters. The last thing you want to do is void your roof warranty or deal with a basement flooding because your gutters were clogged,
2. Helps Alleviate Ice Dams and Gutter Freezing
Living in the north means cold weather and freezing temperatures. After the snow melts, any standing water in your gutters can freeze. While ice dams and freezing water might not seem harmful, these clogs can lead to issues such as the weight slowly pulling your gutters away from your home.
3. prevent brush fires
Yes, belive it or not dry leaves and pine needles in your gutters can catch on fire. Though extremely rare, depending on the city you live if wildfires are common, you want to avoid any flammable materials. Dry leaves are a great candidate for flammable material, so gutter guards can help prevent a potential brush fire.
Types of Gutter Guards:
Regarding gutter guards, there are countless companies and brands to choose from. Like purchasing anything from your home, not all choices are created equally. Below we highlight some of the most common gutter guards with the best reputations:
1. Surface Tension Guards
Our top pick here at Genunie Exteriors is the surface tension gutter guards. They cover the entire gutter and prevent pests and birds from nesting and any large debris. While most gutter guards require minimal maintenance, the proper surface tension guards, such as Raindrop, require none.
The concept with surface tension gutter guards is that mounting them on the front of your gutters and under the shingle will fully protect your gutters and only let water in. Occasionally, some very tiny debris will enter the gutters, but since the debris is so small, it is washed out by the water flow.
Hiring a professional gutter company is a must with these guards. However, the cost is usually made up in 4-5 years with what someone would pay annually for cleaning each year. These are not DIY gutter guards; while they require professional installation, hiring is the better long-term option!
2. Brush Gutter Guards
Brush gutter guards are very inexpensive and don’t do a terrible job, which is why we rank them ahead of reverse-curve gutter guards. While gutter guards reduce debris and prevent cleaning – ideally – brush guards can sometimes cause more maintenance. Sitting inside of your gutter trough to avoid clogs from accumulating help. However, they themselves can cause clogs if not regularly cleaned.
Regarding cost-effectiveness, they are an inexpensive option that you can DIY. Lastly, they are also to take in and out to clean/remove however you see fit.
3. Reverse-Curve Gutter Guards
Reverse curve gutter guards (Leafguard gutter guards are the popular brand) perform exactly how they sound. The covers allow a small opening to let water in as the water curves around the gutter guard. With such a small opening, small debris cannot enter. Thus, your gutters stay clear and avoid clogging.
The downside to these gutter guards is that while they sound great in theory, they cannot withstand the sheer volume of water flow during heavier storms. Water inevitably flows over the guards and misses the gutters entirely when reverse curve gutter guards cannot perform.
While they are suitable in some areas around the country, they’re not ideal if you live in heavy rain areas. Lastly, they also let birds in who nest and cause other issues. Feel free to watch this video and look at the comments within:
4. [Avoid] Gutter Covers & Mesh
Cheap vinyl gutter covers, mesh guards, and screen gutter guards are not worth it! If you’re moving forward with a gutter guard installation project, avoid the “Cheapest” solution. Mesh and screen gutter guards can lead to blocked gutters. Because they’re cheap in price, some homeowners think they’re protecting their channels when they’re causing themselves more headaches.
Estimate Gutter Guard Costs Here:
Use our Gutter Calculator!
Easily estimate the cost of what new gutters will cost for your home!
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Estimate Total Footage
Estimate the linear distance in feet for your gutters and also your downspouts!
- You can use Google Maps to search for your home and use the measuring tool to measure your home, or simply use rough estimates (if the front of your home is 40' across and there is one long gutter, you can estimate that at 40').
- Downspouts are usually 13 feet for a one-story home and 23 feet for a two-story home. Count the number of downspouts you have in your home currently.
Remember, this is just an estimate; the final total will be calculated when our install team measures for materials.
Estimate Total Footage
Estimate the linear distance in feet for your gutters and also your downspouts!
- You can use Google Maps to search for your home and use the measuring tool to measure your home, or simply use rough estimates (if the front of your home is 40' across and there is one long gutter, you can estimate that at 40').
- Downspouts are usually 13 feet for a one-story home and 23 feet for a two-story home. Count the number of downspouts you have in your home currently.
Remember, this is just an estimate; the final total will be calculated when our install team measures for materials.
Would you like to add gutter protection?
You can select from one of two options for gutter protection, affordable OR self-cleaning (no maintenance required).
Estimate the total amount of gutters (do not include the downspouts). Remember, this is just an estimate; the final total will be calculated when our install team measures materials.
Final Cost
The final estimated price is :
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FAQ:
Do You Still Need to Clean Your Gutters?
When you have gutter guards, depending on the type, you will still need to clean them. This is a drawback for some. If gutter guards aim to protect your gutter systems, you have to clean the guards themselves. However, the cleaning is less frequent and does prevent serious gutter clogs. Some guards, like Raindrop, are designed to be self-cleaning.
Are DIY Gutter Guards a Good Idea?
While gutter guards might come with installation instructions, they’re not always a DIY project. Foam gutter guards and brush guards are simple to install. The same goes for mesh or screens. However, easy to install also means not always the best product!
Who are the best gutter guard companies/brands?
The top gutter guard companies in terms of product are Raindrop Gutter Guards, Gutter Helmets, and LeafFilter.
Gutter Downspouts: What Are They & Why They Are Important!