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Reviewed by Tomas Kalkys. President.
Qualifications: More than 20 years of experience in residential and commercial exterior remodeling.
Founding farther of Legacy Service.
Written by LegacyUSA Team
posted on May 30,2019
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The rain gutters on your house are a small but very important part of your home that protects it against water damage from heavy rains. If your gutters get clogged during rainfall, they’re unable to move water safely away from your home. This increases structural damage from water and can cause rot and mold growth. The situation can get even worse by affecting the air inside of your home and growing mold on your walls and ceiling becoming a danger to you and your family. A convenient and easy way to stop this is by using gutter guards. If you live in an area with constant heavy rainfall, you more than likely know what gutter guards are. If not, it’s still a good idea to educate yourself about them if you have trouble keeping your gutters clean during the rainy season in your area. Gutter guards are a product designed to prevent your gutters from getting clogged with debris such as leaves, pine needles, and other things. But before you invest in gutter guards, it’s important to know about the different types and their pros and cons. There are many gutter guards available on the market, but we’ll go over the ones designed for the typical 5-inch k style gutters that you see on most homes.
Not a real zip code.
Mesh Gutter Guards or Micro Mesh Gutter Guards have tiny holes that are barely visible. They are typically made out of stainless steel and have the capability of allowing water through while still blocking out debris. This type of gutter guard is very popular among homeowners and easily attach to roof shingles. You can call a trusted contractor to install these gutters at a fair cost. If you’re looking for a maintenance free solution to keep your gutters clean, mesh gutter guards may be the way to go.
Pros | Cons |
Named best gutter protection by Consumer Reports | More expensive than DIY gutter guards |
A permanent solution to clogged gutters | “Large hole” types can become clogged |
Professionally installed | Possibility of occasional maintenance |
Reverse Curve Gutter Guards, also known as “Surface Tension Gutter Guards” and are designed to direct rainwater downwards from your home. They also prevent leaves and other debris from falling into your gutters by dropping them down to the ground. This type of guard is more of a short term solution and may not be the best pick for your home.
Not a real zip code.
Pros | Cons |
Typically professionally installed | May cause roof shingles to lift |
Guaranteed manufacturer warranty | Noticeable from the ground |
More reliable than foam/brush guards | Expensive installation |
Can occasionally clog |
Bottle Brush Gutter Guards are made up of bristles that give the appearance of an oversized pipe cleaner. This guard fits nicely inside your existing gutters and is placed in an upright position. The placement of brush guards causes leaves and other types of debris to stay on top of the bristles as rainwater effortlessly moves through the gutters. Brush Guards may keep the debris out of the gutter, but cleaning the guard itself can become a bit of a hassle. Not having guards may be a more affordable and better choice in general.
Pros | Cons |
Easy to install | Will not block all debris |
Affordable | Can get clogged easily |
High maintenance |
Nylon Gutter Guards, just like Brush Gutter Guards easily slip into your existing gutters and do not have to be attached to your roofing shingles. This guard is great at stopping the entry and accumulation of ice and snow in your gutters. Because Nylon guards do not have to be attached to roofing shingles, they allow much more space to water entry and water flow. If you experience harsh winters, this is the guard for you.
Pros | Cons |
Great during the winter | Short lifespan |
Cheap to install | Visible from the ground |
Another easily inserted guard is a Foam Gutter Guard. This guard is made of pieces of foam that are easily installed. The foam blocks debris from quickly building up in your gutter after storms and rainfall. Although the most affordable option out of all the gutter types, you will have to dedicate a lot of extra time to clean them which may leave the better option to not have gutter guards altogether.
Pros | Cons |
Inexpensive | Have to remove/reinstall to clean |
Easy to self-install | Easy for seedlings and trees to grow inside the foam |
Economic | Can cause fire hazards |
With all the available Gutter Guard options, you shouldn’t have to keep dealing with the messy, miserable, and smelly job of cleaning out your gutters each time it rains. Now that you have more knowledge on the different types of gutter guards, take the time to compare the pros and cons charts of each one to help you figure out the best option for your home. As you’re choosing between prices, keep in mind attachment methods and capability. There is a great range of gutter guard models, materials, and colors that can suit your home. If choosing a gutter guard that has to be professionally installed, always go with a reputable contractor that has the experience and skill to provide you a fault-free installation. Quality workmanship will ensure low maintenance and high-quality gutter guards for years.
Posted on May 30,2019 in Roof
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