One of the longest debates between homeowners and roofing contractors is “Are leaf guards for gutters worth it”? Some people love leaf guards and others say they add more work to the cleaning process. So the primary question should be, do leaf guards for gutters really work? Let’s explore that question.
After every spring and every fall, you get the ladder and set out to clean the gutters. The different elements from trees, animals like birds, and squirrels often leave our gutters filled with junk plugging them up. This cleaning process can take anywhere from a half day to a whole day before you’re done.
The idea behind leaf guards is to keep that stuff out of the gutters, eliminating the need to spend your free time doing it. The advocates of leaf guards say it’s all dependent on proper installation as well as the proper type for your scenario.
Do Gutter Guards Cause Problems?
Those that don’t advocate leaf guard gutters are the first to tell anyone about the problems they can cause. Some are concerned about debris that accumulates on top of the guard and if they cause ice damns.
Another factor to consider about leaf guard gutters is the warranty on your roof could be negatively impacted if they aren’t installed correctly. Always hire a professional contractor like Call The Gutter Guys that has experience in installing leaf guards. There is a right way to install them and many wrong ways. When leaf guard gutters are attached by nails to the roof shingles this can void the roof warranty. Please check with the installer.
What Are The Benefits of Leaf Guards?
Time & Money: Open gutters collect various types of debris, like leaves and limbs, that accumulate and lead to clogged gutter runs and downspouts, keeping water from flowing. Yes, even with gutter guards, you’ll have to spend some time cleaning off the top of the leaf guard, gutters themselves won’t need cleaning.
Damage Prevention: As ice and snow melt, the water runs off into the gutters and then refreezes there, then additional melting ice and snow flows over the gutter and around your home’s foundation. Additionally, that excess water becomes heavy and pulls from the house or gutters collapse. causes your gutter to have additional weight, and the gutter might give in. With leaf guard gutters installed, your gutters become stronger to prevent that from happening.
Your Safety: Most would agree that gutter cleaning isn’t fun, but it’s also dangerous with climbing ladders and possible electrical shocks if you hit the wiring going into your home. If you don’t clean the gutters, they become clogged and the water that doesn’t spill over and pool around the foundation will back up under the shingles and begin rotting the roof. A leaf guard will reduce the chances of these things happening.
Increased Home Value: Potential home buyers will be drawn to a home with clean and properly hung gutters, and leaf guard gutters can make them even more attractive. The funny thing about gutters, they aren’t noticed when they’re installed, but a home without them, gets noticed that it needs them.
Clogged gutters are worse than no gutters, but with a good leaf guard, gutters are a benefit. So, are leaf guard gutters worth the money? For the short answer, yes, if they are installed by an experienced professional.
Call The Gutter Guys have several leaf guards to chose from and the experience to explain the differences. Not only can leaf guards for gutters range greatly in price, they also range greatly in how they function. For a free consultation give us a call at 612-314-6770 or use the form below to send us an email.