Let’s call a spade a spade. There will always be a need for gutter cleaning. Even the best protective systems cannot leave the gutters free of debris for a lifetime. But rain gutter guards will narrow down the times you’ll need to climb the ladder or hire a pro. And that’s not all they’ll do for you.
The main benefits from a gutter guards installation?
· Cleaning the gutters is a nightmare. Not that you won’t have to remove debris or objects that don’t belong in the gutter system but you won’t have to do it very often. That’s the main purpose of installing guard gutters in the first place: to guard the gutters.
· Now, less dirt in the gutters means the less likely you’ll experience a water damage. You’ll be sure that the rainwater will flow and run off the property without meeting obstructions that can easily cause overflows.
· Since tree twigs or ice doesn’t land in the gutters, they are better protected and won’t get easily damaged. This expands their lifespan and reduces the chance of cracks, which might be created by pressure.
Is it in your best interest to install guard gutters?
Let’s talk money. We won’t provide you with price tags here since there are several types of gutter guards and the cost will also be influenced by the size of your roof. But you will still need a gutter service contractor to install the guards. And this may not come cheap but will worth the expense if you are planning to remain in this house for many years. If not, you’ll be better off just hiring a contractor to clean your residential gutters twice a year. So, it all comes down to your personal needs.
The most popular guard gutter types
There are actually many guard gutter types and styles but they are mainly separated in leaf filters, screens, and covers. Most of them are placed directly over the existing rainwater gutters while others completely cover the gutter. They usually have small holes to allow the rainwater to fall in but not big enough to let debris to fit through. For the same purpose, some have a small opening between the guard and the gutter.
· Screen gutters are very easy to install and inexpensive but have rather big holes which means that some dirt may end up in the gutters. On the negative side, they are hard to brush and thus remove debris entangled on the screen and they may become damaged by the UV sun rays and high winds.
· Some covers slip under the shingles but in order to work well, they must have the same exact pitch with the roof. They are called surface tension gutter guards because they do exactly that: they depend on the surface tension to allow water to enter the gutter while send all debris to slide off. They prevent large debris from falling in the gutters and although small ones might end up in the gutter, they usually flow with the water and don’t create a problem. But these ones usually have one or two slots and thus don’t manage well heavy rains.
· Mesh gutter guards have a filter and a support frame. Their installation is harder but they enable better water flow and don’t allow clogging due to small debris accumulation.
· Sponge guards are easily placed in the gutters and they enable water to flow and run off without obstructions. That happens because the sponge occupies the space in the gutter keeping large debris from lying there but small debris can be caught on the sides or on the sponge and eventually create a clogging problem.
Overall, gutter guards serve well when you plan to stay in this home for a long time and the surroundings are filled with trees which make it easier for gutters to get filthy. In this case, investing in gutter guards to guard the gutter is the best solution.
