By the time spring finally rolls around, our homes are often a wreck. The lawn is brown, leaves and sticks are everywhere, including your gutters which is why spring is the perfect time to clean your gutters. And when we say “clean your gutters”, we don’t mean drag that rickety old wooden latter out of the garage and risk your neck climbing up to your roof to scoop out the debris and muck, we mean call a professional gutter cleaner (like Gutter Pros) to do it for you.
Most of that debris could be avoided with the installation of leaf protection for your gutters. But do you need it?
If you live in the middle of a prairie, you probably don’t need leaf protection for your gutters but most properties have trees on them that drop leaves and needles that will clog your gutters without some kind of cover on them. The reason for installing guards would be to prevent clogging because clogs in your gutters and downspouts can lead to many problems.
They cause damage to Your Home. Clogged gutters can cause a lot of expensive damage. During storms, clogs cause rainwater to overflow, ruining your landscaping, damaging your siding, causing leaks in windows and doors, cracks and leaks in your foundation, and create an ideal setting for mold.
They create a fire hazard. If dry leaves are left in your gutters, they create a fire hazard. All it takes is one stray ember from your neighbor’s firepit to start your house on fire.
Pests love them. Clogs create a perfect habitat for insects like bees, ants, mosquitoes to build their nests, as well as for small animals like mice and birds.
They can smell. All that built-up decomposing material can begin to cause an unpleasant odor.
Gutter guards can greatly reduce clogs in your gutter system. It’s not the case that your gutters will never have to be cleaned but they won’t need to be cleaned with the same frequency as they do without guards. Depending on the type of guard you use, sticks and debris will be eliminated but sometimes thick silt is left behind that may have to be cleaned out periodically. They can also help increase the value of your home. New home buyers usually see gutter guards as a plus because they know the upkeep will be easier.
Types of Leaf Protection
There are several types of leaf protection to choose from depending on the types of leaves you have around your home.
Solid Gutter Covers or Reverse Curve Gutter Guards
These are installed at the roofline with a curve over the gutters so when water flows over the edge, leaves fall off as water flows into the gutter. They work well with leaves but not as well with pine needles. They work but they can be heavy and may damage your gutters or their fasteners and could void your roof’s warranty.
Micro Mesh and Perforated Aluminum Guards
These types of guards are placed over your gutters with holes or mesh that allow water to flow in while keeping leaves and needles out and they’re lightweight so they don’t damage your gutters. These are generally the most effective leaf protection.
Foam or Bristles
These are quite a bit cheaper than other solutions but don’t work well long term. They’re simply cut and placed in the gutters but foam deteriorates quickly and bristles tend to impale the leaves instead of repelling them.
Leaf protection can save you time or, if you’re having a professional clean your gutters regularly, installing gutter guards can save you money. If you’re looking for a solution to leaf build-up in your gutters, call the experts at GutterPros. We have several options when it comes to leaf protection. Call us today at (314)656-7195 and let us find the right one for you!