Gutters that work efficiently are essential to protecting the foundation of your home. Gutters are designed to redirect water to downspouts that carry the water to a suitable drainage location, well away from your foundation. But gutters need regular maintenance to work effectively and can be difficult to access and hard to keep free of leaves and debris. So in case you’ve ever pondered this question, here’s how to know if you need gutter guards:
Enter gutter guards, created to alleviate the problem of clogged gutters. But do gutter guards really work? And does your particular home need them and are they worth the expense?
CLIMATE MATTERS
Long story short, if you live in a warm area with a roof free of falling leaves and debris, you most likely don’t need the added protection of gutter guards. However, if your home is surrounded by trees that drop leaves and debris on your roof, and you live in a climate with snow and ice, gutter guards will help keep your gutters free of debris and ice dams. But keep in mind that gutters cause more harm than good if they aren’t regularly cleaned and instead are clogged with debris and ice.
TYPES OF GUTTER GUARDS
There are five types of gutter guards to consider:
- Brush Guards
- Foam Guards
- Mesh Guards
- Reverse-Curve Guards
- Screen Guards
In short, a Reverse-Curve gutter guard is the best option on the market, but it’s also the most expensive and requires professional installation. Screen Gutter Guards are the most commonly used and are relatively easy to install. These gutter guards can be made of perforated metal or plastic, but generally resemble mesh or fencing. They sit on top of the gutters and prevent most large debris from entering, though screen gutter guards are not effective against pine needles, grass, and other small debris.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE IS KEY
Even with gutter guards in place, there is no set-it-and-forget it when it comes to gutters. Regardless of which option you choose, even gutters with gutter guards still require regular maintenance and should be cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
However you decide to deal with your gutters, the most important thing is to make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris as the winter season approaches. The best time to clean gutters is in the late fall, after the trees surrounding your home have shed their leaves. (Image courtesy of Houselogic)