Gutter guards are designed to block leaves, twigs, and general debris from getting inside of your gutter. This should let water flow unfettered through the gutter, then away from your home. But sometimes, your gutter guard just doesn’t work. Is that because you got a bad gutter guard or is it because gutter guards are bad in the first place? Do gutter guards work?
Types of Gutter Guards
Here are some of the types of gutter guards you might want to deal with:
- Bottle brush – Guards with bristles pointing outwards to stop debris while letting water come into the gutter.
- Metal Screens – A basic model, these lock onto the outer side of the gutter. Metal screens are easy to install and inexpensive, but can clog easily due to small openings in the mesh.
- Micro Mesh – Consists of a frame and a mesh filter that can vary in size depending on your needs. Micro mesh allows an incredible flow of water while providing complete blockage of debris. It’s a bit difficult to install, but it works very well.
- Nylon – Best suited for winter, as they help stop ice and snow accumulation. They can also fit in the gutter without attaching them to your shingles.
- Reverse Curve – These prevent very large debris from entering the gutter and are often made from either vinyl or metal. The reverse curve guard does not handle large amounts of rainfall well, causing it to overshoot the gutter and fall to the ground.
- Slit Gutter Covers – Very similar to the reverse curve guard, it increases the flow of rainwater into the gutter. Like the reverse curve, it too has difficulty with large amounts of rainwater.
- Sponge/Foam – Sponge-like guards are placed on the inside of your gutter and allow water to flow through while blocking large debris. If seeds get caught in a sponge guard, they could actually start to grow and create even worse debris inside of your gutter.
- Surface Tension Guard – A seemingly solid piece which allows the water to track the surface of the guard and guides it into the gutter without spilling.
The Final Verdict on if Gutter Guards Work
A quality gutter installation team will assess the needs of your house, assess the environment, then recommend the best kind of gutter for your house. No gutter guard will completely get rid of debris. You will have to clean your gutters every once in a while. This does not, however, mean that gutter guards don’t work. A gutter guard can help ensure steady water flow while blocking the biggest problem pieces. As long as the water can continue to flow through your gutters, then you will be good.
Also, ask about install hinges on the guard. This can let you or a qualified professional clean out the gutter guards without having to completely uninstall the unit. Contact our team today for help!
