Gutter protectors or their other name, gutter screens, helmets or covers supposedly prevent debris from entering rain gutters. In turn, the protectors will reduce the amount of gutter cleaning and save you money in the long run. Or so say the sellers of gutter protectors. Experts tend to agree that gutter protectors do not provide foolproof protection against all debris that can litter and clog gutters.
You should not buy gutter protectors with the intention of never cleaning your downspouts again. They don't make your gutters invincible or magically resistant to station debris. Gutter guards, also called leaf guards, are supposed to give homeowners peace of mind when it comes to preventing clogged or blocked gutters. While you may think that you will not need to clean the gutters again when you have them installed, keep in mind that this is not necessary.
Professional roofers know that no gutter guard offers 100 percent protection against leaves, pine needles and other debris. Some of this debris can pass through these guards and fill their gutters. Regular cleaning is still needed to remove debris that manages to pass these protection systems. There are all kinds of gutter protectors.
The good ones keep gutters clean and can eliminate flooding and damage to your home. But Consumer Reports tests show that some don't work well. Years ago, I did a thorough test of almost every gutter protection design. I discovered that almost all of them fail.
Reverse curve designs allow small chunks of debris to be transported to the gutter, where decaying dirt is impossible to clean. Small debris of all kinds clogs holes, slits and holes in the other designs. Most gutter guards fail miserably in spring when small debris falls from trees like snow in a blizzard. After reviewing the long-term costs, it's safe to say that gutter protectors aren't worth it and it's a waste of money.
Gutter protectors do a relatively good job of keeping debris out of gutters, saving you the task of cleaning gutters. However, gutters still need routine cleaning and maintenance, which goes against the purpose of investing in gutter protectors. Gutter protectors can do a very good job of keeping gutters flowing freely. If you have large trees in your yard, gutter protectors will really save you time and unpleasant labor by helping to keep your gutters from clogging up.
I'm a fan of properly installed high-quality gutter guards. I would have to walk to the top of my giant hipped roof house with a hose to clean the gutters about 20-22 feet above the ground. Some homeowners use gutter guards, such as LeafGuard, which claim to prevent debris from filling their gutters. This screen type gutter guard is designed to slide under the first row of shingles and then fit over the outer edge of the gutter.
By installing a gutter guard, screen, or helmet, you add additional weight to the gutter that your fascia can't carry. To remove debris that has slipped through the fenders, you'll need to clean the gutters regularly. You should call a professional gutter cleaning service to make sure all accumulated debris is removed, which could be up to four times a year in an area rich in foliage. This stainless steel gutter guard features a fine but durable mesh that keeps even the smallest seeds blown by the wind out of your gutters.
To choose the correct size gutter guard, you need to climb a safe ladder to measure the width of the gutter. Foam and brush gutter protectors are essentially invisible from the ground because they sit completely in the gutter, but micromesh, screen and reverse curve gutter protectors are more visible. Solid 'shield' type gutter protectors rely on the capillary properties of water to get water into the gutters. Mesh gutter protectors are sheets filled with holes that cover the gutter and attach to the roof tiles.
Gutter guards offer a great way to reduce maintenance and protect gutters from debris buildup and pest infestations. Despite claims that shields are self-sufficient and reduce the number of times you need to clean your gutters, these blade protectors still require routine cleaning. . .
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