How Do Gutter Guards Work?

Gutter guards are designed to keep home gutter systems from clogging, thus allowing gutters to efficiently divert water away from your home. This can go a long way toward preventing water damage after heavy rains and snow. As a result, gutter guards are a good investment that protect your home from the ravages of inclement weather that may occur over time. Continue reading to learn how gutter guards work and what you can do to keep them well-maintained.

How Do Gutter Guards Work?

Gutter systems protect your home from water damage by diverting rainwater away from the house. However, over time, they can become clogged by things like leaves, twigs, and even bird nests that may accumulate inside of them. In order to prevent this clogging, you can protect your gutters and downspouts by using gutter guards, which stop different types of materials from getting inside of gutters. Installing guards ahead of hurricane season is a great way to prevent costly storm damage to your home.

Gutter guards—which can be made from materials such as mesh, foam, and vinyl—are typically installed on top of gutters. Common types, like screens, are installed by inserting them underneath the bottommost row of roofing shingles. They then allow water to freely flow through the gutters while blocking debris from getting inside. When deciding which type of gutter guard to install, you should think about the type, size, and look of the product that is the best choice for your home.

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The Benefits of Gutter Guards

There are several benefits that homeowners enjoy when they install guards to their gutters, such as:

Preventing Damage Caused by Debris and Ice

When gutters get clogged with ice, it can cause a pool of water to form around your house or flow into your home. Depending on the area of the home that is impacted, repairing water damage caused by gutter problems can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 or more to fix.

Gutter guards can prevent gutters from being clogged from ice, as well as clogs caused by debris such as leaves and sticks that get stuck in gutters and downspouts. Considering most installations are inexpensive, it is well worth the peace of mind and investment. The more damage you can prevent to your gutters, the longer your gutters’ lifespan. If your gutters are already damaged, you may need to consider budgeting to replace them.

Saving Gutters From Pests

Pests may cause damage to your gutters because uncovered gutters can attract critters, like rodents and birds, which build nests to take up house inside of them. Gutter guards can prevent this from happening, as well as insects breeding in stagnant water that may have accumulated inside of the gutters.

Preventing Fires

If you live in an area that is prone to bushfires, gutter guards can protect your home from fire embers that may be carried throughout the neighborhood by strong winds. When you have the guards installed, embers will not be able to ignite because of dry materials that could have otherwise been stored inside of the gutters.

Reducing Maintenance

Thanks to all of the protection that gutter guards provide from pests and debris, as well as rot and rust, gutters do not need to be cleaned and maintained as often. This makes guards a good investment that will save you lots of time and money in the long run.

How to Care for Gutter Guards

Although gutter guards can significantly reduce maintenance time, that doesn’t mean they require no maintenance at all. In order to care for your gutter system and guards, you should start by placing a drop cloth on the ground underneath them to catch the debris you will be removing. Then climb up to the gutters with a ladder and remove materials caught by the guards by sweeping your hands across them. You may find stuck needles and twigs that need to be removed by pulling them loosely with your fingers. Wearing gardening gloves can make cleaning gutter guards easier since they will protect your hands from getting stabbed by sharp twigs and needles.

How Much Do Gutter Guards Cost?

The cost of gutter guards depends on the type you purchase and how much material you need for your home. Generally, you can expect to pay between $100 and $2,000 for gutter guards if you install them yourself. If you choose to have them professionally installed, you may pay around $300 to $2,000, depending on how challenging the installation process is.

Find an Experienced Gutter Contractor

If you want to have gutter guards added to your home, be sure to consult with an experienced contractor to find the best options for your home and your budget.

Find Gutter Pros

The pros at Modernize can connect you with trusted, local contractors who will help you choose the best gutter guards and complete the installation. Also, be sure to consult our contractor checklist, which will help you evaluate contractors and make the most informed decision.