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The Pros and Cons of Gutter Guards
March 30, 2023
Gutter Guards May be Just What You Need
Taking care of your gutters is one of those things in life that can be frustrating to deal with, but ultimately extremely important. After all, gutters are so important to the integrity of a home that most lending agencies won’t even consider a loan unless they are present.
But boy, climbing up on that ladder to clean them out a few times a year sure does become less and less appealing every time the service is due.
Accordingly, any measures that you can take to both protect your gutters and cut down on maintenance might sound like a godsend. If you’re looking for something to reduce the amount of effort you have to put into unpleasant chores involving your drainage system, gutter guards are likely just what you need.
Gutter guards are a grating system that is designed to help keep debris, leaves, and other materials out of a home's gutters. They cover the top of the gutter and filter out errant plant matter while letting rainwater pass through. Like any product, there are both pros and cons to using gutter guards. Let’s take a look at some of these benefits and detriments so that you can decide for yourself whether they are right for your home.
Pros:
1. Reduced Maintenance: One of the most significant advantages of gutter guards is that they can significantly reduce the amount of maintenance required to keep gutters clean. By preventing debris from entering the gutters, the guards can prevent clogs and blockages, which can cause water to overflow and damage the home's foundation.
2. Protection against Ice Dams: Gutter guards can also help prevent the formation of ice dams during the winter months.
Ice dams occur when water from melting snow refreezes on the roof's edge, creating a dam that prevents water from draining into the gutters. This can cause water to seep into the roof, causing significant damage. Gutter guards prevent debris from accumulating in the gutters and blocking the flow of water, which can reduce the likelihood of ice dams forming.
3. Increased Lifespan of Gutters: Gutter guards can help increase the lifespan of gutters by reducing the amount of debris that accumulates in them. Debris can cause gutters to rust and corrode, which can lead to leaks and other damage. By preventing debris from entering the gutters, gutter guards can help prevent rust and corrosion and extend the life of the gutters.
4. Pest Prevention: Gutter guards can also
prevent pests from entering the gutters and building nests. Pests such as birds, squirrels, and rodents are attracted to the debris that accumulates in gutters, which can lead to nesting and other problems. Gutter guards prevent debris from accumulating, which can reduce the likelihood of pests entering the gutters.
Cons:
1. Expense: One of the most significant drawbacks of gutter guards is their cost. Gutter guards can be expensive with some systems costing several thousand dollars. The cost of installation can also be high, especially if the gutters need to be replaced or modified to accommodate the guards.
2. Not 100% Effective: While gutter guards can help reduce the amount of maintenance needed for gutters, they are not 100% effective. Small debris such as seeds and needles can still find their way into the gutters, which can still require manual cleaning. Additionally, gutter guards can become clogged with debris over time, reducing their effectiveness. While it’s true that gutter guards will significantly reduce the amount of effort put into cleaning and maintaining gutters, they are not the end-all-be-all solution one might hope for.
3. Difficulty of Installation: Some gutter guards can be difficult to install, especially for DIY homeowners. The installation process can require specialized tools and equipment, and if the gutters need to be modified to accommodate the guards, the installation process can be even more complicated. That is to say, you’ll most likely need a pro to take care of installation for you.
4. Maintenance Required: While gutter guards can reduce the amount of maintenance needed for gutters, they still require some level of maintenance themselves.
5. Appearance: Some folks may not like the way they look. While some gutter guards are designed to be invisible, others are noticeable. We’ve never found them to be particularly obtrusive, but everyone has different tastes.
Either Way, We Can Help
Installing gutter guards is an investment that will make your life easier, provided that you don’t mind the extra cost out-of-pocket. Gutter guards will drastically reduce the amount of time you spend elbow deep in muck on your roof; this is absolutely true. But if you’re looking for a permanent fix that will let you forget about your gutters forever, we’re sorry to say that such a system doesn’t exist.
If you’re curious to learn more about gutter guards, we encourage you to give us a call so that we can provide you with a free quote for service and a plan that will work for you!
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