You’re dragging your ladder out to spend your precious Saturday afternoon cleaning gutters. You think to yourself,” There must be a better way to clean these gutters, or prevent them from debris build-up in the first place!” As you climb the first rungs, you decide that you are going to get those gutter guards that you saw in that commercial a few years back. But, is this the best solution for everyone?

What are gutter guards?

Gutter guards are pieces of material that help keep your gutters free from debris. They are made of different materials, with a wide range of cost, longevity, and effectiveness. Let’s take a look at a few different types.

 

Foam and Brush Gutter Guards

A foam or a brush gutter guard are two different types with similar designs behind them. Both of these guards go inside the actual gutter. The foam guard lets the water go through the foam but keeps the debris from clogging the gutter. The brush guard goes in the gutter and allows the water to run right by it while collecting and trapping any debris. These are two of the easiest and cheapest options, with the brush guard needing a decent amount of upkeep. 

Screen and Mesh/MicroMesh Gutter Guards

This type of guard is installed by placing a portion of it under your first row of shingles. The rest covers the top of your gutter and has little holes or mesh, letting water through and keeping debris out. This is not as cheap as the first category and isn’t always a DIY project.

Reverse Curve/Surface Tension Gutter Guards

This third type of guard is a solid piece of material that is partially installed under the first row of shingles and then extends past the edge of your gutter. Then, it bends down and back in on itself toward the gutter. The design behind this is that, due to surface tension, the water will stay on the guard as it bends back and will drop in the gutter, while any debris will slide off the roof, keeping your gutter clear. 

 

Do Gutter Guards Truly Fix The Problem?

You may be thinking that this sounds too good to be true! This is the answer to all of your

! While these guards do help mitigate the problem, there are still some things to know about gutter guards when considering installing them. 

Not Maintenance-Free

None of these gutter guards will completely cure your gutter debris issue. There will always be a need for you to get that ladder out and make sure things are still working properly. In fact, some of these need to be checked on, or even possibly replaced, often throughout the year.

Cost and Installation

While some of these options are somewhat cheap, others are not so much. Weighing the cost and effectiveness of this gutter guard system may show that these would not be a wise investment in your situation. 

Call Gutter Maids Today!

Put the ladder back in the shed for good, and give Gutter Maids a call. As locals who love their community, we would love to come out for a free estimate and help you figure out what is best for you and your home. “Don’t Risk a Fall, Give Us a Call!”