Clogged gutters are a problem for many homeowners. As leaves, dirt, twigs, and other debris gets stuck in your gutters, the clogs prevent water from being diverted away from your home. You might end up with standing water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitos and other pests. Or there could be so much debris in your gutters that they are weighed down and about to fall off. Worst of all, your gutters might be so full that the water is overflowing and spilling onto your home and its foundation, doing expensive damage in the process. While cleaning out your gutters regularly (about twice a year) is important to prevent clogs, some homeowners opt to make things easier on themselves and invest in gutter guards.
Gutter guards are screens or covers that are installed over the top of your gutters to catch large debris like leaves and twigs while still allowing water to pass and flow through the system normally. Some people have strong opinions about gutter guards, claiming that they don’t keep your gutters clear, so other people will naturally be curious about whether gutter guards are worth it. The short answer is that it depends.
Gutter guards can go very far in preventing clogs in your gutters, but to believe that they are a foolproof solution would be naïve. Gutter guards are not an alternative to gutter cleaning; they just make it easier. With gutter guards, your gutters will not need to be cleaned as often. Your gutter guards will be an especially worthwhile investment if you have lots of trees around your house since there will be more falling leaves and debris. In addition, cheap gutter guards won’t work as well as more expensive ones, so the type of gutter guards you choose may affect whether they are worth it for you.
If you have questions about whether gutter guards are right for you, give us a call.