Cleaning gutters can be a daunting chore, often involving messiness, dirt, and even potential danger from ladder climbing. Fortunately, there is a solution to circumvent this tedious job. Many homeowners opt for gutter guards as a means to drastically minimise the necessity of cleaning their gutters. But is investing in gutter guards truly beneficial? Let's explore the advantages and disadvantages of gutter guards to assist you in making an informed decision.
What Are Gutter Guards?
Ensuring optimal performance of your gutters necessitates regular cleaning, maintenance, and attention. However, if you find yourself lacking the time, motivation, or inclination for such tasks, gutter guards offer a solution.
A gutter guard – also referred to as a gutter cover, gutter helmet, or gutter screen – is a protective cover placed over the top of your gutters. It facilitates the smooth flow of water while capturing twigs, leaves, and other debris. Without this added protection, your gutters are more susceptible to clogs that can result in water damage, mould growth, foundation issues, basement flooding, and erosion around your property.
Gutter guards are available in a variety of styles, sizes, and materials to provide you with ample options for selection.
Are Gutter Guards a Good Investment?
Gutter guards do simplify home maintenance by capturing various unwanted materials that could enter your gutters, preventing damage, pest issues, and other concerns. While they are not completely foolproof against debris, they effectively safeguard your gutter system.
However, even the most robust gutter guards cannot entirely eliminate the need for gutter cleaning. Instead, they lessen the frequency with which you must inspect for clogs or hire someone to do it for you.
In essence, incorporating gutter guards into your gutter system is indeed beneficial. Yet, they are not flawless. Therefore, should you consider investing in such a product? Let's explore the reasons for and against it.
ADVANTAGES OF GUTTER GUARD
1. Saves Time and Money on Maintenance
Installing gutter guards can save you valuable time and money that would otherwise be spent on cleaning your gutters or hiring someone to do it for you. This investment reduces the frequency of gutter cleanings and makes the process significantly easier compared to dealing with clogged gutters.
2. Decreases Pest Infestations
Gutter guards not only help in keeping your gutters clean but also prevent various pests including birds, mice, spiders, mosquitoes and other insects from taking residence in your gutter system. By eliminating standing water in your gutters, gutter guards make your home less appealing to wildlife and vermin. Furthermore, they act as a barrier against birds, rodents, and possums that could access the roof area behind your fascia boards.
3. Potential Fire Protection
Gutter guards can offer a valuable advantage in fire protection, especially in regions prone to wildfires. In the event of a fire outbreak, airborne embers can travel long distances. If these embers land on dry debris, twigs, or leaves clogging your gutters, they can ignite quickly and pose a threat to your home. By serving as a physical barrier between embers and gutter debris, certain types of gutter guards may help mitigate this potential fire risk.
4. Prevents Corrosion and Rust
Constant accumulation of moist leaves and debris in your gutters can lead to corrosion and rust over time. Gutter guards prevent the build-up of pine needles, twigs, leaves and other debris that contribute to these damaging effects.
5. Enhances Water Flow Efficiency
Maintaining efficient water flow through your gutters and downspouts is crucial for protecting your home from moisture-related issues. Gutter guards improve water flow by keeping gutters clear of debris, ensuring rainwater moves freely and quickly while also helping to maintain clean water for storage in rainwater tanks.
DISADVANTAGES OF GUTTER GUARD
While gutter guards offer convenience, they do have limitations. Here are important considerations before investing in gutter guards.
1. Not 100% Effective, Maintenance still necessary
Although gutter guards can help prevent large debris from entering your gutters, they are not foolproof. Smaller debris may still accumulate over time, necessitating periodic professional cleaning to ensure optimal gutter performance.
Maintenance is necessary for gutter guards, and it involves periodic cleaning which can be laborious and challenging as it may involve removing and re-installing the guards every time a clean is needed. Typically, the recommended frequency for cleaning or inspecting gutter guards is once or twice a year, with more frequent checks advised for those residing in storm-prone regions. This task can be particularly cumbersome for two-story homes. Moreover, the maintenance of gutter guards differs depending on their design. Seeking assistance from a professional service provider is necessary.
2. Prone to Damage
Gutter guards are susceptible to being dented or harmed by various factors, such as:
- Placing ladders against the guards
- Storms producing large hail ice chunks
- Tree limbs falling onto them
- Accidental damage from other activities
- Birds and other wildlife may occasionally peck at gutter guards, resulting in interference with their placement
3. Lack of Maintenance May Lead to Gutter Sagging
Neglecting regular cleaning of your gutter guards can result in added weight build-up, potentially causing sagging gutters, water overflow issues, and even harm to your foundation.
4. Potential to be Aesthetically Unappealing
Some gutter guards may protrude ever so slightly from the roof line. If this is a concern to you then be aware that Gutter guards may detract from the overall appearance. But on the other hand, so will overflowing gutters.
5. Can Void Your Roof Warranty
Some types of gutter guards may need to be slid under your roof shingles, which may compromise the integrity of your roof and void your roof warranty. Please note: The types of gutter guard recommended and installed by Rise N Shine will not void your warranty or cause any damage.
In summary, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider on both sides. We suggest speaking with the experts at Rise N Shine to assist you in making a well-informed choice. One last point before we wrap this up:
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
When it comes to gutter guard installations, although it could be possible to do it yourself, it's certainly advisable to hire a skilled installer.
Rise N Shine can expertly manage your project from beginning to end. We assist in selecting the suitable gutter guards for your residence, carry out the installation with precision, and offer guidance on maintenance. Based on the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne Victoria, we are your go-to specialists for:
- Gutter Guard Installation
- Gutter Cleaning
- Solar Panel Cleaning
- Window Cleaning
- Pressure Washing
- Soft washing
Contact our friendly team to get your free quote - 0468 355 204