You’ve known for some time now that those old, sagging gutters of yours have got to go. They’re an eyesore and they do nothing for your home’s curb appeal. Making the decision to replace them is the first step. Next, you weigh your options: aluminum? Vinyl? Or do you go all out and invest in beautiful copper? No matter what material you choose for your gutter replacement, new gutters will protect your home from the damaging effects that stormwater can have on your home.
Damaging Clogs
Gutters are only effective when they’re clear of leaves and other debris that cause clogs. When it builds up, water can’t pass through well and flows over the side, damaging siding and landscaping, causing cracks in walkways or your foundation, leaks in doors and windows, and wood rot. In the winter, clogs freeze and can cause ice to form on the roof creating leaks into your home.
Types of Leaf Protection
Leaf protection is the solution to house-damaging clogs. Leaf protection, or gutter guards, come in several styles whose effectiveness depends on the types of leaves you have around your house. Solid Gutter Covers or Reverse Curve Gutter Guards, for example, work well with leaves but not as well with pine needles. They’re made of metal and hang over your gutters allowing water to flow over the curve into the gutter as leaves fall to the ground. They work well to keep out leaves and debris but they can be heavy and may damage your gutters or their fasteners.
There are cheaper solutions like guards made of foam or bristles or wire tubes that only need to be cut and placed in your gutters but with these, you get what you pay for. Needles tend to clog them and they tend to deteriorate quickly in the elements.
The most effective solution for leaf protection is Micro Mesh and Perforated Aluminum Guards. They are sheets of lightweight aluminum that are punched with tiny holes that let water in and nothing else. They’re secured on top of your gutters but are light enough to not cause damage to them.
Cost and Savings
The cost of leaf protection can vary and can cost up to $10 per linear foot, depending on the kind you choose. If you take into consideration the cost of the damages that clogged gutters can cause and calculate how much it would cost you to fix a crack in your foundation or a leaking roof, leaf protection is well worth the investment. You’ll also save money on maintenance. While gutter guards won’t eliminate the need for cleanings, they’ll greatly reduce their frequency.
If you’ve decided it’s time to replace your gutters, Gutter Pros can help. Gutter Pros is a full-service gutter company that specializes in commercial gutters, copper gutters, and leaf protection. Our technicians can help you find just the right type of gutter for your commercial company along with effective leaf protection. If you choose to replace your gutters with copper gutters, we not only install those but we can also install copper gutter guards on them. From installation to maintenance, Gutter Pros does it all. Call us at (314)656-7195 and schedule an appointment today.