Do Gutter Guards Work? The Pros and Cons

You already know your gutters are an essential line of defense for your home or building, directing water away and protecting your property from water damage. But what protects your gutters? Gutter covers are specifically designed to help keep your drainage system free of debris and clogs. Let’s look at how well gutter guards work and the pros and cons of installing gutter covers. 

Do Gutter Guards Really Work?

Benefits of Gutter Guards

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that’s definitely true in the case of gutter covers. Properly installed gutter guards can help keep your roof, eaves, siding and even foundation, in better condition year over year. They can reduce your maintenance time, less time up on a ladder, cleaning gutters and more time enjoying your yard. 

Maximizing the benefits of gutter guards also means picking the right design for your situation. While there are technically 6 styles of gutter covers, there are similarities so we’ve grouped screen, mesh and micro-mesh into one talking point, brush and foam are also combined as both involve ‘inserts’, leaving reverse-curve as a stand-alone style since it differs most from the others. 

Screen, Mesh & Micro-Mesh: Frequently seen as a cost-effective DIY option, screen style gutter covers are exactly that, perforated sheets that fit over your gutters, held in place by clips. While they work, they can be easily overwhelmed by hard rain and they can’t keep out smaller debris such as pine needles, seed pods etc. which can lead the need for frequent cleaning. Of the ‘screen’ type gutter covers, micro-mesh was the best-performing, especially when installed professionally by a trusted company such as Quality Seamless Gutters, as they were able to filter out even pine needles but they do have one major downside. Micro-mesh gutter covers can ice over in winter, leading to ice dams that can block your system. 

Reverse-Curve: These types of covers are almost like mini awnings or gutter helmets. They are one of the longest lasting designs of gutter covers and require little maintenance. They are also more visible than most other styles and have a significant upfront cost and may need occasional professional cleaning to keep functioning at their best. Installing gutter covers in the reverse-curve style is best done by professionals.

Brush & Foam: Both brush and foam gutter guards start off with the same installation, inserting the guard into your existing gutter. Brush gutter guards resemble large pipe cleaners that are laid in your gutter. He bristles trap leaves and other larger debris, they’re an inexpensive and easy to use option however, they don’t block anything smaller than tree leaves, they can clog easily and require more frequent maintenance and replacement. Foam is another insert which is easy to use but like brush style gutter covers, they can clog easily, they wear down and require more frequent replacement and cleaning.

Drawbacks of Gutter Guards

There’s no doubt that guards are important and worth considering, there are factors that could be considered drawbacks too. In Bluffton, SC, there’s plenty of flowering trees and shrubs which means options such as screen, mesh, brush and foam gutter guards would likely need significant regular cleaning. We don’t get severe winter weather making options such as micro-mesh and reverse-curve the most beneficial options. But installing gutter covers in these materials needs professional installation, leading to an initially higher up-front cost. 

Factors to Consider Before Installing Gutter Guards

Before deciding on gutter guards, consider the following factors:

It’s important to start with the condition of your existing gutters. If you are already experiencing issues, damage or other warning signs or if your gutters were installed improperly gutter guards will not be able to overcome those and can even exacerbate them by adding extra weight to an already stressed system. For best results, get a professional inspection and free estimate from a trusted company such as Quality Seamless Gutters to get started. 

As we noted, Bluffton, SC doesn’t have harsh winters so ice is less of a concern but we do have a lot of plant-life to be aware of. Our high humidity and frequent rain make gutter covers highly beneficial to keep water from damaging your siding, landscape or foundation. While brush and foam gutter guards are easy to install yourself, they’re both likely to be overwhelmed by leaves and other debris leading to frequent maintenance needs. Screen and mesh are both good mid-range options but will come with some maintenance needs where reverse-curve and micro-mesh will give you an easy to care for and efficient gutter guard system, it does come with higher upfront costs and is best done by professionals. 

How Do Gutter Guards Compare to Regular Maintenance?

Simply put, it doesn’t. Regular maintenance is necessary no matter what kind of gutter guard you have but the amount of maintenance and its effectiveness increase hugely when combined with having the right gutter guard to protect your gutters 24/7. Installing gutter guards along with regular maintenance insures the best protection possible.

Making the Decision on Gutter Guards

Gutter guards reduce maintenance, prevent water damage, and extended gutter lifespan. And while they are not maintenance-free, they can significantly reduce the amount of effort and frequency of maintenance needed. Even if you chose the least expensive option and successfully install them yourself there is going to be an initial cost in materials. More elaborate gutter guard systems require professional installation but has the benefit of being longer lasting, better performing and require less maintenance than other styles.

Maybe you still wonder: Are gutter guards a good idea? For many homeowners, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks, especially when professionally installed. Ready to protect your home and simplify your gutter maintenance? Contact the experts at Quality Seamless Gutters to get your free estimate today!