It’s one of the most commonly asked questions when homeowners are considering installing gutter guards. If “work” to you means significantly decreasing the amount of maintenance needed to keep your gutters clean and eliminating the need for interior gutter cleanings; then the answer is yes. If your idea of guards working is a 100% maintenance free solution, then we can’t answer that with yes.
However, if you want to hire the best team for cleaning gutters, there are a lot of local companies that could offer such good service for you. Moreover, you should still understand how these guards work and how it can benefit you in the long run.
How Do Gutter Guards Work?
Gutter guards are also known as gutter screens, helmets, or covers, and they’re placed over the tops of your gutters to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from entering—they also allow water to drain away from your house properly. Ideally, these guards will save you time and money in the long run by reducing maintenance costs or worse, the cost of major home repairs. Many homeowners realize too late that clogged gutters can cause serious, expensive problems with your property.
It seems like gutter guards are a perfect solution to keeping your gutters from clogging. Plus, with a cover in place, you’ll never have to clean gutters again. Right?
Not so fast. Gutter guards can be a good tool if properly installed and maintained, but they’re not worry-free. As a rule of thumb, it’s important to note that gutter guards don’t provide foolproof protection against all debris. However, they do help you cut back on yearly upkeep, cleaning, and maintenance.
Why Do You Need Them?
Your gutters are a catch-all for twigs, dirt, roof runoff, and other outdoor grime. Without regular cleaning or protection, your gutters fill with heavy muck that can cause serious damage if left unchecked. Your home’s gutters are an investment meant to protect your home by diverting rain away from your house, but when clogged, gutters won’t work as well as they should. And with too much clogging, your gutters can bend or worse, detach from your roof. Gutter guards are one way to protect your home from damage. But do gutter guards work? The answer isn’t simple and there are advantages and disadvantages—professionals agree that leaf gutter guards don’t provide foolproof protection against clogging, but they do drastically decrease annual maintenance. Let’s take a look at how they work and if they are right for your home.
Do these Guards Eliminate Maintenance?
Some gutter guards and installation companies will promise a maintenance-free product that you can install and forget. But, this isn’t true and it’s wise to be wary of those claims. In reality, gutter covers don’t keep every bit of debris out. If you live in a rainy, windy area, twigs and roof debris can still find a way into your gutters.
With a gutter screen or cover, it might be harder to see when that debris piles up. As your gutters become clogged, water can back up underneath your shingles and cause roof leaks and damage. If you have large trees and a lot of foliage hanging over your gutters, gutter guards can help block larger falling leaves or twigs. But, you shouldn’t depend on them to save you from routine cleaning.
Are You Getting the Right Guards?
You can have gutter guards professionally installed, but you can also buy them online or at hardware stores and install them yourself. While a DIY solution can save money, it’s easy to purchase the wrong type of gutter guards that aren’t best for your home. If you do it yourself, be sure you measure and install correctly. If not placed and secured well, your gutter guards can do more harm than good. Your gutter guards can do more harm than good if not placed and secured well. To minimize the risk of improper installation, trust professionals to install your gutter guards. We’ll recommend the best type of guards for your home and install them the right way.