When it comes to cleaning your gutters, you want to be sure you are doing it correctly. This will ensure that the gutters get cleared of any leaves or other gross stuff that may be hanging out in them – and block the draining system.
What is a Gutter Guard?
Gutter guards are a great way to prevent leaves and other debris from clogging up your gutter when water runs down them. The stream or roof drainage systems commonly have a large opening where the rainwater flows through, except when it comes to gutter guards – it is placed below this opening.
A gutter guard is an external barrier that protects the foundation of your home from leaves and other debris in the rainwater system. Gutter guards are installed at the bottom of downspouts or any other point which could drop wet or mouldy leaves.
A gutter guard can come in several shapes and sizes. Some are rigid, while others may be formed into a more flexible shape that can easily fit over sections of your roof’s edge.
Vertical gutter guards are installed directly on your downspouts. The guard is usually made of plastic with a rubber coating on the bottom to help prevent slipping.
Horizontal gutter guards are installed along the length of the downspout instead of at the base of it like vertical guards do. They also have a rubberized coating on the bottom to prevent slipping but they don’t attach directly to the downspout.
What is Leaf Protection for Gutters?
Leaf protection for gutters is a piece of equipment that comes along with gutter guards to help prevent leaves from cluttering up your gutters and getting into your home.
Leaf protection for gutters is the system utilized to prevent trees and other vegetation from falling into and damaging the gutter system of your home. Leaf protection products are composed of an array of chemical compounds that soften soil, sediment, rock and even concrete. In many situations, chemical agents must be combined with a carefully crafted, artistic composition that uses strategically placed pipes as well as diffuser bars.
Leaf protection for gutters is a great way to keep leaves, bug droppings etc. away from your house. If you are having problems with leaves and other debris in your gutters, this may be a big problem for your home’s appearance and health.
Leaf protection for gutters is a protective barrier that helps prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from entering your gutter system. Leaf protection will also help prevent damage to the gutter and downspout from these materials. Leaks can cause unnecessary expenses to homeowners by having to replace the entire gutter assembly.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are many different types of gutter guards available to homeowners and businesses, including mainly the following:
Durable Vinyl Gutter guards: They are made from durable acrylic plastic that is resistant to UV rays, dirt, and water. They can be painted or left natural, depending on your preference.
Metal Gutter Guards: protect against rust, corrosion and other damage that may happen over time to metal gutters. Metal gutters are usually made from aluminium and stainless steel, but some people choose to use other metals like copper or brass.
Plastic Gutter Guards: It is used for those situations where you do not want to paint your guttering. It provides a protective barrier between the structural members of the roofing system and the cladding. It also helps prevent ice dams from forming at the top of your roof as water flows down over ice crystals in cold weather conditions.
Metal Gutter Guard: Metal gutter guards are typically made of aluminium, stainless steel, or galvanized steel. They’re usually painted white or gray and come in various lengths so that they can be installed at multiple locations.
PVC Gutter Guards: PVC gutter guards are typically made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is both flexible and durable. The material is painted white or gray, and it’s often coated with an anti-corrosion coating to prevent rusting over time.
EPDM Rubber Gutter Guards: EPDM rubber gutter guards are available in both black and white colors, and they’re often used as more permanent solutions for protecting gutters from damage caused by leaves and debris.
Copper Gutter Guards: It is another type of metal that’s commonly used as a permanent solution for protecting gutters from damage caused by leaves and debris.
How much do Gutter Guards Cost?
- PVC Screen Gutter Guard: $0.60 to $1.50 per foot
- Mesh Gutter Guard: $0.8 to $1.25 per foot
- Aluminum Perforated Cover for Gutters: $1 to $1.5 per foot
- Steel Screen Gutter Guard: $1.5 to $3.5 per foot
- Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard: $1.75 to $2.5 per foot
- Foam Gutter Guard: $2.5 to $3.5 per foot
- Brush Gutter Guard: $2.5 to $3.5 per foot
Advantages and Disadvantages
Here are a few benefits and drawbacks of installing or replacing gutter guards for your home:
Pros:
- Gutter guards in commercial buildings provide more than just the aesthetic benefit of a clean gutter system
- It protects your roof and fascia from damage caused by falling leaves and debris that may otherwise fall into your gutters
- Affordable, prevent leaves, pest infestations, and spread of bushfires
Cons:
- Repairing gutter guards are conditionally expensive as both repair and replacement include the labor cost of removal
- Debris on the screen can block the drainage system of the roof
- During busts or storms, the gutter screens will get dislodged if not they are not mechanically attached
- Longevity depends on the material. The more high-quality (and expensive) the gutter material is, the longer it will last
How can I install gutter guards?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing gutter guards for leaf prevention:
- Rake the gutter down with a rake to remove debris and leaves.
- Remove the gutter guards from their packaging by pulling straight up on the tabs on each side of the guard.
- Use a rubber mallet to tap each guard into place so it will be flush against the gutter. If your gutter is not straight, you may need two or more guards.
- Install a metal bracket to each end of your gutter using a wrench, pliers, or hand-held drill.
- Clamp these brackets over your guttering and secure them to your house’s wall using 12″ long galvanized screws or 12-inch-long galvanized cable ties that are attached with 3/8-inch diameter hex head bolts.
Remember, Gutter guards should be installed after any kind of tree or shrub trimming. This is because most branches that fall from trees can break off and get caught in your gutters. If this happens, you could end up replacing all of your gutters.
Statewide Roofing Experts are certified in cleaning gutters and installing gutter guards to channel water, leaves or any other waste off your roof.
Contact us today for gutter guard installation, repair and replacement.
