Gutter Guards: Are They Worth It?

It seems like, in the world of home and gutter maintenance, there’s a million-dollar question no one really seems to know the answer to… What is the deal with gutter guards? There are two major schools of thought floating around on the internet: one group will tell you that gutter guards are a great addition to a property and an opposing group that swears, up and down, that gutter guards are one of the worse inventions ever created… So, are they worth it? According to some, you’re signing up for a world of heartache by having gutter guards installed, while others claim your gutter woes are over the moment you slap a guard of any sort over your gutter system.

However, like most things in life, there are both benefits and downsides to installing gutter guards to your home’s or property’s gutter system… First, when determining if gutter guards are right for you and your property, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the different types of guards out there and which would be right for the area in which you live. It is also important to take note of the stability of your property’s gutters and roofline to ensure the added weight of guards won’t cause any unnecessary damage. Continue reading to learn more about the different guards to choose from as well as the pros and cons of installing them.

Types Of Gutter Guards

Screen/Mesh: Installed on the top of the gutter system, both screen and mesh act in the same way of preventing debris from entering the gutter system while rainwater is allowed to filter through the small holes of the guard. Micro mesh is made of much smaller holes, preventing even smaller debris such as sand or seeds from entering your gutters. This ability to catch the finest of materials means, however, that mesh needs to be sprayed down and scrubbed occasionally to knock those smaller particles free of the mesh.

Reverse Curve: Made of light metal or plastic, these curved guards sit above your gutters and allow water to flow off the curved surface into the trough below. While very efficient at keeping out debris, this guard type is not DIY-friendly and, depending on the installation type, can even void your roof warranty.
Brush: True to its name, these (more or less) oversize pipe cleaners rest inside the trough of your gutters, allowing water to flow normally while debris sits on top of the brush’s bristles. Simply cut the brush to length and insert into your gutters. Due to the easy nature of the installation and the price, this is a very popular option with DIYers. However, once it’s time to clean the brushes, it can be quiet an unpleasant and time-consuming task (whether it’s more work than actually cleaning your gutters, I’ll let you decide for yourself).
Foam: A very simple method to use, these triangular blocks of foam sit in the gutters with one flat side facing upwards, allowing water to run off the angled sides (and through the foam) while debris sits on top. Unfortunately, in areas that experience heavy precipitation, these guards will quickly become over saturated, resulting in overflow.

Advantages Of Gutter Guards

Prevent Large Debris From Clogging Gutters – It probably goes without saying that the foremost reason for installing guards is to prevent debris from clogging your gutters throughout the year and ensuring that they keep draining without issue.
Keep Pest And Larger Insects From Nesting In Your Gutters – Stop birds, rodents, and even snakes (oh my) from making home in your gutters by having guards put in place. In addition, standing water offers the perfect breeding ground for insects such as mosquitoes – a guard can prevent clogs that lead to such occurrences.
Extend The Life Of Your Gutters By Preventing Rust – Saturated plant debris sitting in the belly of your gutters can result in rust and erosion spots which will later result in leaks and other damage.
Reduce Ice Dam Formations In Winter – It is a popular fallacy that guards increase the likelihood of ice and snow buildup in your gutters come winter. This is the case with the reverse curve models but does not stand true for other types of guards. In fact, by installing a gutter guard, you avoid debris landing in your gutters and causing water stagnation that can later freeze once the temperature drops.
Collect Cleaner Water For Your Rain Tank – If you collect rainwater for other uses, installing a gutter guard can result in runoff water that is clearer and means your tank can hold more water rather than plant debris pushed out of the downspout.
Spend Less Time And Money On Your Gutter Maintenance – It is recommended that homeowners have their gutters cleaned out on a bi-annual schedule. With gutter guards installed, the number of necessary cleanings drops to once a year if not every other year, saving you time and energy if you plan on cleaning them yourself and a pretty penny if you’re having someone else take care of it for you.
Fire Prevention – Though it might not seem like an issue in the Pacific Northwest, forest and brush fires are still something to be wary of during the dry summer months, even in this area. Gutter guards mean there is less plant matter sitting in your gutters waiting to act like kindling when hot embers from a near by fire hit your roofline.

Drawbacks of Gutter Guards

More Expensive Gutter Cleanings – Due to the extra labor required to clean gutter systems that have guards, the price of cleanings will be more expensive to reflect that. However, it’ll still save you money only having to schedule cleanings once a year or every other year as opposed to the typical twice a year.

Model Specific Issues – While very effective at keeping out larger forms of debris, reverse curve gutter guards can actually worsen the effects of ice dams by trapping snow and ice inside the covered gutter. It should also be pointed out that if not properly installed, these guards can hang past the edge of your gutters, resulting in rainwater pouring right off the curved surface and missing the trough entirely, rendering your gutters basically useless.
Potential For Damage – If incorrectly installed or too heavy, gutter guards can cause damage to your gutters and consequently your property’s roof line. Avoid these issues by allowing a professional to determine which guard model is best suited for your gutters and allowing them to properly put them on.

Let Someone Else Handle It

Protect your home from the horrors of water damage by keeping your gutters clean and clog-free with gutter guards. Avoid costly mistakes due to improper installation or injury from toppling over backwards off a ladder while attempting to install your new guards. Instead, rely on the trusted professionals at Snugs Services to take care of all your gutter needs! We have a team that is dedicated to all things gutters and understand what is needed in order to complete the job efficiently and to exceptional standards. We can clean, repair, or replace any gutters on your property, finishing the job off with the highest quality of screen and micro mesh combo guards, powder coated to prevent rust, and sturdy in design. These guards are perfect for withstanding the rainy Pacific Northwest weather while also preventing leaves, pine needles and other types of natural debris from stopping up your home’s drainage
system. Call us today about getting gutter guards installed on your home, hassle and stress free!

Snugs Pro Wash, Inc, dba SNUGS Services, has been providing high quality Pressure Washing Services in Portland, OR since 1995. Started as a residential pressure washing and roof cleaning service, SNUGS is now one of the leading exterior cleaning companies in the Northwest. From our humble beginnings as a man with a truck and a trailer we have grown to become a multi-million dollar company serving corporate customers, name brands, and mom and pop companies alike.

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