Gutter Splash Guards: What Do They Do, and Do You Need Them?

What Are Gutter Splash Guards?

The purpose of gutter splash guards is to prevent water from overshooting your gutters. The amount of water that flows from a roof valley into a gutter is far more significant than the amount of water that flows into the gutter from other sections of your roof.

When rain overshoots the gutter, it falls on the ground near the foundation of your home and leads to home damage.

The majority of gutter splash guards are comprised of aluminum and secured with screws. In order to make them less obvious, you can purchase one that is the same color as your gutters.

Unfortunately, most gutter splash guards only prevent water from flowing over the top of your roof valley and spilling onto the ground. Since water flows rapidly, the splash guards may not be able to handle it and fail to perform their intended function.

Let’s look more in-depth at the specific pros and cons of installing gutter splash guards.

The Pros and Cons of Gutter Splash Guards

Pros

1. Prevent Water Overflow: Gutter splash guards help in directing the flow of water, particularly in roof valleys where a large amount of water can come together. This helps prevent water from splashing over the gutters.
2. Protect Foundation and Landscaping: By managing the water flow more effectively, gutter splash guards help protect your home’s foundation and landscaping from water damage and erosion.
3. Reduce Maintenance: They can help reduce the maintenance required for your gutters and the area around your foundation, as there’s less overflow and splashing that can cause issues.
4. Cost-Effective: Splash guards are generally inexpensive and easy to install, making them a cost-effective solution for water management.
5. Durability: Many gutter splash guards are made from durable materials that withstand harsh weather, providing long-lasting functionality.

Cons

1. Potential for Incorrect Installation: If not installed correctly, splash guards can actually cause water to be directed in undesired ways, potentially leading to damage.
2. Aesthetic Impact: Some homeowners might find that gutter splash guards affect the aesthetic appeal of their home, as they can be visible and alter the look of the gutters.
3. Limited Solution: Splash guards are a partial solution; they help with water splash but don’t address other gutter issues like clogging from leaves and debris.
4. Regular Maintenance Required: While they reduce certain maintenance needs, gutter splash guards still need to be checked and cleaned regularly to ensure they function properly.
5. Compatibility Issues: Not all splash guards are compatible with every type of gutter system, so you need to ensure that the guards you choose work with your existing gutters.

Choosing the Right Gutter Splash Guards

If you’re in search of a quality gutter splash guard, LeafFilter is the optimal choice.

LeafFilter gutter guards are so fine that leaves, pine needles, shingle grit, and other debris won’t ever enter your gutters. They contain no large holes, gaps, or openings and can protect your home from a variety of costly home damages including:

• Landscape erosion: Bare areas where grass and other plants won’t grow, crumbling or falling slopes, and dried-up mud streams after rain are all signs of landscape erosion.
• Basement flooding: A musty, damp odor, mold, and cracks in the floor or walls may signify basement flooding.
• Mold and mildew: Black spots, stains, wall discoloration, and allergic reactions may mean that there is mold or mildew in your home.
• Foundation damage: Foundation problems can usually be detected in a basement or crawl space. The most common signs of this issue are uneven and sagging floors, cracked walls, a cracking chimney, and standing water under the house.

Water damage is the cause of all of these home damages. When your gutters are clogged with debris, water won’t be able to move freely into your downspouts and will likely remain in your gutters.

With LeafFilter gutter guards, you won’t have to worry about this issue and can reduce your risk of water damage and the home damage that it causes.

If you’re to protect your gutters and home, you owe it to yourself to schedule a free estimate today.