Do You Need Gutter Guards?

Gutters play a vital role in guiding/directing water away from the roof and foundation of the house. They should, however, be kept clean and clear of debris to prevent blockage and possible leakage. While regular gutter maintenance and cleaning does the trick, installing gutter guards can save you lots of time and effort. Gutter guards prevent twigs, leaves, and other debris from collecting in the gutters while allowing rainwater to flow through unobstructed. 

Gutter guards come in several different varieties to cater to your specific needs and budget. The most common types of gutter guards on the market today include PVC covers, mesh screens, surface tension helmets, and foam inserts. You can also choose to have an expert do the installations or do it in a DIY (saves you a few bucks). Installing mesh gutter guards in a DIY can cost you around $425 for 200 linear feet, while you'd have to spend about $1,500 on the same for professional installation. 

Although some may consider gutter guards an unnecessary expense, it is not. Homes with gutter guards installed have a reduced risk of leaks and water damage from water backing up in gutters and rarely need to be cleaned. In other words, the returns on investment from gutter guards are more significant than what you invested on in both material and installation costs. Here are some of the reasons you should install gutter guards. 

1. Reduces the Need for Regular Gutter Cleaning and Maintenance

Gutter guards help block/filter twigs, leaves, and windblown debris from the gutter system. This leaves the gutter channel free of blockage caused by the same, hence no need to worry about regular gutter cleaning. A typical gutter (without the guards installed) needs to be cleaned at least twice annually to remove accumulated debris over time. This translates to around $320 for gutter cleaning alone in a year. 

Installing the proper gutter guards for your home can help lower the frequency of gutter cleanings per year. Mesh gutter guards, for example, are the easiest to clean as all you need is to sweep any leaves and other debris atop the guards. Mesh gutter guards can also be easily lifted to remove any foreign materials that might have passed through as well. However, professionally installed gutter guards are less likely to allow foreign materials through. 

With gutter guards sieving off all the leaves and debris, they too can become clogged at times. The rule of thumb here is to have gutter guards cleaned at least once every other year. Although you could choose to clean the gutter guards yourself, it's best (and safer) to hire an expert if you have a two or three-storied home.

2. They Protect Your Home from Damage

The last thing any homeowner wants is to have to deal with clogged gutters during the storm or rainy season. A clog can impact the free flow of water through the gutter systems, putting the home at serious risk, including: 

• Leaks from water spilling onto the roof
• Water pooling on the fascia board: The fascia board runs between the side of the house and the gutters. Water pooling exposes the fascia board to water damage, affecting its integrity and leading to further structural damage.
• Water pooling around the foundation: This can cause flooding and damage to the home's foundation. 

Water pooling and damage are among the worst things that can happen to your home. A clogged gutter system exposes your home to most of these risks, a reason you should consider installing gutter guards to prevent the accumulation of debris and clogging risks. 

3. Lowers the Risk of Mold and Mildew Growth

Mold and mildew are not only bad for your health but also for your house. Organic debris, dirt, and leaves in the gutters provide the perfect environment for both of these to grow and thrive, posing a real threat to you and the house. The worst thing about this is that it will take time before you can notice signs of mold growth in the gutters. 

If not detected early, mold can grow to make it harder for water in the gutter system to flow smoothly, exposing other parts of the roof to water damage. Water pooling in gutters increases the risk of rotting to organic materials it is exposed to, the roof in this case. This also contaminates indoor air quality with mold spores, dangerous for people with respiratory conditions, asthma, and allergies. Mold and mildew remediation isn't cheap either. Mold removal can cost upwards of $2,000 per 200 square feet of basement flooring and walls. Prolonged exposure and damage can also force you to install a new attic space - an additional $7,000 in expenses. All this can be avoided by having gutter guards installed professionally and ensuring they remain in the best condition possible. 

4. Pest Control

Pests are less likely to camp in protected gutters (with guards installed) as compared to unprotected ones. Gutter guards naturally repel pests by making it almost impossible to perch inside. The guards provide a protective barrier against snakes, birds, and rodents that would be looking to make a home in your gutter system. 

Water pooling due to clogged gutters also creates the perfect breeding environment for insects and mosquitoes. Even a small pool in the gutter systems can attract thousands of mosquitoes, a risk no one would want to take. Cleaning/sweeping twigs and leaves off of your gutter system is one thing; having to deal with insects and pests breeding in the same is another. This can turn a simple chore into a more complicated one requiring the services of an expert in the same, especially if rodents and other large pests are involved. Gutter guards can, however, save you from such a hassle. 

5. Fire Protection

Installing gutter guards can also help reduce the risk of fires in your home, especially if within wildfire-prone regions. According to a study conducted at the University of California, metal gutters and gutter guards prevent fires from spreading as metal is less combustible. In addition to this, gutter guards prevent leaves/twigs and other flammable materials from collecting and drying out in the gutter channels. This goes a long way in reducing the risk of fires. However, those living in wildfire-prone areas should consider getting metal gutters and gutter guards and avoid plastic ones for obvious reasons. 

The roof is considerably more vulnerable to wildfires. Keeping it and the gutters clean and clear makes it less vulnerable to such fires. It is thus better to spend a few thousand dollars to have mesh gutter guards or surface helmets installed than leave your home at the mercy of wildfires and water damage.