Gutter protection systems are designed to protect your gutters, by allowing rainwater to enter into the gutter system while keeping leaves and other debris out of it. This protection will prevent clogs, and damages to the gutter system and other structures. Leaves and debris can clog gutters and downspouts. Should this happen, the water could fill up the gutter, spill over the front and pool around the foundation, causing damage to the landscape and the house, including mold and peeling paint.
Gutter system protections are usually known as gutter guards, gutter covers or gutter screens when they are used in the gutters, and downspout cleanouts in case they are used directly in the downspouts to avoid the debris to reach an underground drain system, which could create a clog.
Gutter guards come in a variety of forms that can help keeping gutters free of debris and leaves. This can limit, or sometimes prevent, the need for cleaning gutters and the stress of damage to the structure.
Are gutter guards worth it?
There are several reasons to consider a gutter protection system for your home. Let´s see some of them here:
1. No more clogs: Leaves and debris can’t go into your gutters, which prevents them from forming clogs.
2. Makes your life easier and impacts your gutter cleaning expenses: Although installing a gutter guard can ease the gutter cleaning, it doesn’t mean there is not maintenance needed. For example, swiping the top of the gutter with an extension pole once or twice a year could be enough with some of the screens.
3. Strengthen and gives stability to your gutters: Did you know that some gutter covers strengthen the gutter? Yes, for example, Xtreme gutter guard not only prevents the debris to go into the gutters but also provides a box-like reinforcement that helps to keep them in place.
4. Helps to prevent snow damages. That box-like reinforcement we mentioned can preempt the snow to tear the gutters apart. The use of a cover also prevent the debris to form ice dams inside the gutter, which will keep the melted snow from flowing into the ground and make the gutter heavier for your gutter system. This could lead to broken gutters and leaks, and could contribute to detach the gutters, and it is even more likely if the gutters are attached with nails.
5. Keep the drain system clear and working properly, avoiding expensive plumbing services to repair the drains.
6. Safety: it contributes to your safety and your loved ones’. According to the World Health Organization, the United States leads the world in ladder deaths. Each year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. that are caused by falls from ladders. Often, those falls occur while someone is on a ladder cleaning debris from a gutter.
7. Add value to your home: Finally, a quality gutter protection system can add value to your home, making it more desirable when it is time to sell.
As mentioned in previous posts, clogged gutters can cause thousands of dollars in damages to homes from rotting fascia boards, landscape erosion and foundation repair, not to mention the hassle of having to clean gutters.
There are different options to have your gutters covered, made with different materials and forms. We will soon post more information about the different gutter cover and downspouts cleanouts options, so you can be informed on what is the best for you. Stay tune!
