Gutter guards—those mesh screens, foam inserts, or solid covers—are marketed as the ultimate solution to gutter maintenance. But are they genuinely useful, or are they just another home improvement gimmick? In this blog post we will break it down for you.
The Promise of Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are products that have been designed to prevent debris such as leaves, twigs, insects, and rodents from calling your gutters home. They all come in a range of forms, from mesh screens, foam inserts or even solid covers.
The main appeal for these products is to reduce the amount of gutter cleaning maintenance you’ll need to do. Which can save you time, money, and your health. These products can also help your home’s roof, foundation and even exterior from water damage by preventing clogs.
The Reality Check
Though the appeal and benefits of gutter guards are strong, their installation prices can vary from a range of factors. Such as how much gutters you have, how much it would cost per feet to install, the quality of the material and the professional installation costs, just to name a few.
If you’re ready for the investment but can’t fork out to cover your whole gutter system with these products, consider different areas of your house and see which areas would need it more. Such as if any of your gutters are being cover by trees. Or where leaves are more commonly going to fall during different seasons of the year. Or maybe due to if your roof is slanted or not, more water will fall into one side of the gutters more than others.
Even after installation some maintenance will still be required. As much as we would all want gutter guards to be a permanent maintenance-free solution to our gutter problems, some routine check-ups are still required. This is so we can be kept up to date on the health of our gutters, see if our gutter guards need replacement or see if there is a bigger problem starting to arise that is beyond the fix of gutter guards.
Design Matters
The effectiveness of gutter guard’s hinges on their design. Poorly installed or ill-designed guards can lead to problems. Rainwater might spill behind the gutters, causing rot in fascia boards—a costly repair. Plus, some guards struggle to capture rainwater effectively.
The Great Debate: Do They Work?
Opinions on gutter guards are divided. Some homeowners swear by them, claiming reduced cleaning and fewer clogs. Others remain sceptical. The truth lies somewhere in between. While they can keep out large debris, no guard is foolproof. Fine particles can still infiltrate. Correct installation matters greatly in making sure that the product works to its best ability and help its quality last for as long as possible.
The Bottom Line:
Prospective Savings: Consider the long-term savings. If you despise gutter cleaning and are willing to invest upfront, guards might be worthwhile.
Home-Specific Needs: Assess your surroundings. Are you in a tree-cover area? Twice-a-year cleaning might still be necessary. City dwellers can aim for once a year.
Quality Matters: Opt-in for well-designed guards and professional installation. Cheap options may cost you more in repairs down the line.
In the end, gutter guards aren’t a magic bullet. They’re a tool, not a miracle. So, weigh the costs, consider your gutters’ needs, and decide if they’re truly useful for your home.
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