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What Are Gutter Guards?
The term “gutter guards” refers to a mechanical device that prevents outdoor debris from entering the gutter system. While not perfect, gutter guards address a number of common problems homeowners face with their gutter system, like overflows, leaks, and water damage.
Gutter guards are usually attached mechanically to the top opening of a gutter (where the water flows off the edge of the roof into the gutter) and is designed to deflect or filter debris from rainwater. If the debris is allowed into the gutter, clogs are often the result.
Clogged gutters can lead to water damage to the home, as well as ground erosion.Unfortunately, life often gets in the way and we forget to check our gutters before the damage has already occurred. Here we will briefly discuss what gutter guards do, why they do it, and why you might need them for your home.
Why Would I Want Gutter Guards?
Gutter guards are one of those inventions most of us wish we’d thought of. For many years, every fall a homeowner was forced to climb a ladder and remove the smelly gunk clogging their gutters that was actually decomposed plant material. Gutter guards,depending on the design, either filter out much of this material, or simply deflect it away from the gutter.
For many homeowners gutter guards are a blessing, especially for homes that are multi-story and difficult to reach. Gutter guards are designed to mitigate the problem from occurring. Most gutter guards still require periodic inspection, but some gutter guards, like micro-mesh, are very low maintenance.
What Are the Signs
I Need Gutter Guards?
There are a few easy to spot indications that gutter guards will improve your life. For example, if you routinely spend time every year cleaning your gutters or hire someone to do so, gutter guards are probably for you.
Next are the typical signs your gutters would benefit from gutter guards:
You Probably Need Gutter Guards If Your Gutters Are:
Gutters can actually fall off of your house if they become clogged with water and debris.Water weighs about eight pounds per gallon, so as crazy as it sounds, some gutters might hold as much as five hundred pounds of water, not counting the gravel, seeds, and other debris. That’s a lot to ask of a few aluminum gutter spikes or lag screws.
Savvy homeowners discovered that installing gutter guards on their gutter system would pay for themselves over time in reduced maintenance and hassle. Basic gutter guards can be installed by a do-it-yourselfer, but some require advanced training to install. These advanced gutter guards are essentially an install and forget feature, but they must be installed by a pro.
Can I Buy Gutter Guards Anywhere?
You can purchase some styles of gutter guards at Home Depot, like the foam and screen versions. These are useful, but they don’t eliminate the biggest problem of owning gutter guards in the first place, which is cleaning them.
Ideally, you’ll want the gutter guard that requires the least maintenance, because much of the effort expended in owning gutter guards is spent climbing ladders and cleaning the gutter guards.
If you’re serious about ending your career as a part time gutter cleaner, a smart idea is to talk to a pro and get some free input. At the moment, the micro-mesh style gutter guards offer the most bang for the buck, because they solve the most
problems. Micro-mesh gutter guards are a hybrid combination of deflection type and filter type gutter guards, providing the best of both.
Micro-mesh gutter guards have perforations that, as the name suggests, are very small. This design still allows rainwater to pass through the mesh, but any debris large enough to clog the gutter is deflected away. Micro-mesh gutter guards also
address the limitations of foam and plastic gutter guards, like deterioration due to radiation from the sun.
What Are the Different Kinds of Gutter Guards?
Gutter guard design generally falls into one of two categories. They either deflect the debris that clogs your gutters, or they filter the water as it passes into your gutters.
These include:
Gutter Covers (Deflection Style Gutter Guard)
Essentially Maintenance Free
Moderately Expensive Free
Requires Expert Installation
Still Allows Small Debris to Enter the Gutter
Might Allow Rainwater to Miss the Gutter Entirely
Foam (Filter Style Gutter Guard)
Very Inexpensive
DIY Friendly
Easy to install
Short Life
Requires Periodic Cleaning
Degrades In Sunlight
Hold Deteriorating Debris
Micro Mesh (Filter/Deflection Style Gutter Guard)
Relatively Inexpensive
Durable and Will Not Degrade In Sunlight
Not Clog Easily, So Less Maintenance Required
Generally Considered the Best Overall
Screen (Filter Style Gutter Guard)
Requires Periodic Cleaning
Might Still Allow Pine Needles and Seeds
Inexpensive
Easy to Install
Can Be Metal or Plastic
Micro-mesh gutter guards filter small debris and deflect large debris, so very little gets into the gutter system. Deflection style gutter guards, even when installed perfectly, can still allow small debris into the gutter. Filter style gutter guards do a great job of keeping out all types of debris, but like any filter, they must be periodically cleaned.
What Is the Installation Process For Gutter Guard?
The process for ordering gutter guards is easy. If you suspect you may need gutter guards, you can find a local expert to help, like ProCraft Restoration Group®. They will make a quick, efficient inspection of your gutters and provide their recommendations.
The best ones let you book an appointment online, at your convenience. Then a qualified technician will come to your home, meet you, and take some measurements. recommendations.
The technician will measure your home precisely, and make design changes if needed to correct any issues.Once you’ve hired them,they’ll schedule your gutter guard installation project. When the weather cooperates, they’ll send a team of technicians to install your new gutter guards.
Gutter guards typically take only a few hours to install, but of course it will depend on your home and gutters. Ideally, look for companies like this one. ProCraft Restoration Group, for example, also offers other construction services, like roofing, painting, and restoration services. This way, if your gutters need attention or your roof is in trouble, you’ll already have a relationship with a company you can trust.
Will Gutter Guards Work On Any House?
Generally, gutter guards are available to fit any size or style of gutter. The vast majority of homes built today use 5” or 6” width “K” style aluminum seamless gutters, which are perfectly augmented by micro-mesh type gutter guards. Other gutter guards work as well, but the micro-mesh type gutter guard reduces the most common complaints, like constant cleaning, repairs, and re-installation. Gutter guards install easily on any of these gutters, although the process may change slightly from gutter to gutter. If aesthetics are important, the micro-mesh version is the most hidden from view, so you never know they’re there.
What Are the Pros and Cons Of Gutter Guards?
Expertly designed and installed gutter guards really offer no downside, other than the cost to purchase and install them. However, some poorly installed gutter guards, even high quality ones, can actually make your water problem worse.
Gutter Guard: Pros
Available in a Variety of Designs
Designed to Reduce Gutter Cleaning
Most Work Well, But May Require Regular Cleaning
Installs In a Matter Of Hours
Many Are Hidden From View
Easily Customizable to Fit Most Gutters
Cost Effective to Install and Own
Likely to Pay For Themselves
Gutter Guards: Cons
There really aren’t any cons to using gutter guards, as long as they are used as intended. However, a single missed cleaning chance can lead to water damage, soil erosion, and insect infestation. If you want the additional peace of mind in case you forget, the micro-mesh gutter guard will be the most effective and require the least maintenance.
How Do I Find a Gutter Guard Installer Near Me?
Generally, the best way to shop for a gutter guard installation company is to look for a local company online. Look for one with a nice website that clearly anticipates and answers most of your questions. This usually indicates a company that has invested in their business.
When searching for a gutter guard installer in your town, look for the best value, not necessarily the lowest price. Many homeowners feel high quality gutter guards are worth their weight in gold if they prevent a fall or wood rot.
Poorly installed gutter guards can actually make your water problem worse, however. A smart move is to use a low maintenance version like micro-mesh, installed by highly trained professionals because they are very reliable and cost effective to own.
The best way to hire a gutter guard installation company is to search online and use search terms like “gutter guard near me”, or “seamless gutter company”. In most markets, a company with a great reputation for installing seamless gutters will also be your best choice for gutter guards. These companies invest in high quality training, so they’ll get it right the first time.
If you are in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill (Research Triangle) or Atlanta area, ProCraft Restoration Group® is happy to help.
225 Reformation Pkwy, Suite 200 Canton, GA 30114
3131 RDU Center Drive, Suite 115 Morrisville, NC 27560
