Climbing up on a ladder is dangerous, and cleaning gutters on a shaky old ladder is bound to end up in catastrophe. According to the CDC, there are over 500,000 ladder-related injuries each year.
This is a startling statistic to hear, but it serves as a reminder to use caution when ascending a ladder for any reason. While it is always a good idea to be as safe as possible when on a ladder, an easy way to reduce the time you spend on ladders is by installing gutter guards.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are many different styles of gutter guards and each has its own series of benefits and shortcomings. Some popular types of gutter guards include bottle brush, foam, reverse curve, perforated metal, and micro mesh.
Bottlebrush guards are typically inexpensive and are designed to prevent leaves and debris from entering the gutter by floating over the bristles. This type of guard may accumulate a layer of leaves on the top, but generally performs well and is easy to install!
Foam guards are made of permeable styrofoam that allows water through but keeps large particles from clogging your gutters. These guards are also easy to install, but exposure to the elements can leave these guards somewhat brittle after a few years of use.
Reverse curve guards are molded plastic or metal overhangs that allow water to run into your gutter while leaves and other debris fall off the edge. Water has a property called surface tension which allows it to run along the curve and into the gutter, but other debris cannot follow it unless it is very small. These can be effective, but they typically require the lifting of shingles which may void your warranty.
Perforated Metal guards consist of thin metal sheets with small holes punched into them. These guards work very well for larger debris, but smaller debris such as pine needles can pass through and lead to a gutter clog.
The most highly rated style of gutter guard is micro mesh. This type of guard allows almost no debris through the mesh because the holes are so fine that only water can go through. These guards are low maintenance and effective.
Gutter Guard Benefits
Gutter Guards are a great option if you are trying to avoid the dreaded trip up the ladder to clean debris from your gutters. Gutter guards prevent the risk of gutter related ladder injuries, but they come with many other benefits as well.
Gutters are designed to carry water safely away from your home to prevent costly damage to your home and outdoor space such as foundation, siding, and landscaping damage. Gutters work extremely well for this purpose, but they tend to become clogged especially if there are a lot of trees around.
Clogged gutters can be a nightmare to fix, but it is a problem that is easily prevented by installing gutter guards. These ensure that your gutters will remain clog-free, and you can remain safe with two feet on the ground!
Final Thoughts
Gutters are an incredible invention to prevent damage to your home, but they only work when they aren’t clogged. Gutter guards are an easy and low maintenance way to prevent the hazards associated with clogged gutters. It’s a very good idea to invest in gutter guards to keep both you and your home safe.