What are Gutter Guards? Why Do I Need Them?

Cleaning gutters is a miserable and dangerous job. Imagine a solution that protects your gutters from damaging debris and eliminates the need to ever have to climb your ladders again. Fortunately, there is a solution.

Installing gutter guards can be a smart choice when it comes to protecting your home, however, with so many gutter guards on the market, it’s important to invest in the right system. Otherwise, you could end up with an even bigger mess. Discover the benefits of installing gutter guards and see how to choose the right protection for your home.

How Gutters Work

Before we get into why you need gutter guards, it’s important to understand how your gutter system works.

Gutters are designed to remove rainwater away from the base of your home with the help of your downspouts. In order to be effective, gutters and downspouts need to be completely free of debris. If left neglected, your gutters can be clogged with debris, leaves, pine needles and more, which can impede your system’s performance. With no place to go, water can pool over the side of your gutters, gather around the base of your home, and lead to serious issues.

Benefits of Gutter Guards: Protect your Entire Home

Effective gutter guards provide a variety of benefits. One of the most important benefits is that they can protect your home from serious home damage. In fact, clogged gutters can have far-reaching consequences and can lead to:

• Rotting fascia and soffit
• Foundation damage
• Basement flooding
• Mold and mildew growth
• Pests
• Roof damage
• And more!

By properly diverting water away from your home, you not only will protect your gutters with effective gutter guards, but you’ll protect your entire home from the damage of clogged gutters.

Eliminating the Dangerous Task of Gutter Cleaning

The other important aspect of gutter guards has to do with your safety and quality of life. Let’s face it — gutter cleaning is not only time-consuming and dirty, it’s dangerous, too! Climbing the ladder to clean your gutters is daunting and exhausting. Plus, you’ll have to find the best way to clear your downspouts, which can be a hassle.
By climbing the ladder multiple times per year, you’ll have to risk your safety as well. In fact, there are an estimated 164,000 ladder-related injuries every year. An effective gutter protection system, like LeafFilter, eliminates gutter cleaning, so you can stop climbing the ladder to clean out gutters with the permanent solution to clogged gutters.

Choosing the Right Gutter Guard

While a gutter protection system is important, it’s even more important to find the right gutter guards for your home. It’s true that not all gutter guards are created equal. In the ongoing debate of LeafFilter vs LeafGuard, understanding the benefits and downside of each option can help you make an informed decision.

• Brush Guards: These are cylindrical devices filled with bristles that fit directly into your gutters, catching debris while allowing water to flow.

  • Benefits: Easy to install and maintain, cost-effective.

  • Downsides: Can accumulate debris within the bristles, requiring frequent cleaning.
  • Best for: Homeowners seeking a quick and inexpensive solution with the willingness for regular maintenance.

• Foam Inserts: Designed to fit inside the gutter, these inserts allow water to pass through while blocking larger debris.

  • Benefits: Simple installation, prevents large debris from clogging gutters.
  • Downsides: May become clogged with smaller particles over time, leading to potential water overflow.
  • Best for: Those who want a straightforward install but are prepared for occasional cleaning.

• DIY Screens: Flat or curved screens cover the top of the gutter, filtering out leaves and debris.

  • Benefits: Affordable, widely available in home improvement stores.
  • Downsides: Can warp or detach in severe weather, may not filter finer debris.
  • Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners looking for an easy, do-it-yourself option.

• Micro-Mesh Toppers: These high-grade products use fine mesh to keep out even the smallest debris while allowing water to flow freely.

  • Benefits: Excellent filtration, low maintenance, durable.
  • Downsides: Higher initial cost, professional installation often recommended.
  • Best for: Homeowners seeking a long-term, low-maintenance solution with superior performance.

• Hood-Style Systems: These systems use a curved hood to direct water into the gutter while keeping out debris.

  • Benefits: Effective in heavy rainfall, reduces the need for frequent cleaning.
  • Downsides: Can be more expensive, may require professional installation.
  • Best for: Homes in regions with heavy rain, where minimal maintenance is desired.

For those seeking Gutter Protection Perfection, LeafFilter offers a micro-mesh solution that stands out for its durability and efficiency. To learn more about how LeafFilter can transform your gutter protection strategy, schedule your free consultation today!