Every fall there is one home maintenance task I dread the most: cleaning my gutters. Not only do I need to get up on a ladder and carefully position my body and waste bucket so that we don’t fall to our doom, but the thought of having to reach my hand inside the gutters and face whatever horrors are inside make me want to do anything else.
It’s not just cleaning out a summer’s worth of outdoor buildup. It’s removing decomposing leaves, wet twigs, sticky pine needs and large bugs. Sometimes very large bugs.
Needless to say, the task is nasty.
But now that we’ve discovered the solution, I would never go back.
Gutter guards cut down on cleaning, but they also protect your gutters and stop debris from building up. But don’t just take my word for it. USA TODAY asked the roofing experts about gutter guards to learn if they really work, or if they are all hype.
Here’s what they said.
Do gutter guards work?
Moral of the story: Yes. Gutter guards work, and they can work well to protect your gutter system and, more importantly, your home against structural water damage, fascia (roof) rot and foundation erosion.
“Gutter guards can reduce debris and gutter clogs which helps rain flow away from the home as intended,” says Ryan Westfall, president of Westfall Roofing, an award-winning residential roofing contractor in Central and Southwest Florida. “Keeping rainwater flowing away from your home will protect the roof, fascia, siding, foundation and landscaping from water damage.”
What are gutter guards and how do they work?
Gutter guards are protective covers or inserts designed to be placed over or installed inside rain gutters. Gutters are prone to clogging, and require annual maintenance to keep them clear of debris; gutter guards are designed to reduce both those problems.
Gutter guards stop leaves, pine needles, twigs and roof debris from getting stuck in your gutters, but still allow rain to pass through and away from your house.
Common types of gutter guards
Mesh screen gutter guards are the most common, but options like stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guards are considered the most effective. Brushes, screens and foam inserts are common DIY options, but professionally installed gutter guards can include an entire gutter system, like LeafGuard.
Other common types of professional and DIY gutter guards include:
- Mesh
- Micro-mesh
- Screen
- Reverse curve
- Foam
- Brush
Do gutter guards actually prevent clogs?
Yes, properly installed gutter guards will stop your gutters from clogging. Gutter guards are designed to prevent large debris like leaves and sticks from getting stuck in your gutters. However, they aren’t invincible. Smaller debris, like dirt, pieces of damaged shingle, seeds and other small debris can sometimes break through the gutter guard barrier and lead to build up over time.
What gutter guards do well
Gutter guards are a good home upgrade for homeowners who want to cut down on gutter cleaning. They’re especially good for:
- Stopping large debris from clogging your gutters.
- Reducing the amount of time and effort you spend on cleaning your gutters.
- Protecting your home from water damage, as the gutter guards will act as a barrier for water to flow through your gutters and away from your home.
What gutter guards don’t do
Gutter guards are not:
- Entirely maintenance-free. You still need to clean them off for them to work.
- Fool-proof. Sometimes skinny pine needles can make their way into the gutters, meaning your gutters could still get clogged.
- Perfect at stopping small debris from getting in. Pine needles, shingle grit and dirt can still make its way into your gutters even with a gutter guard.
How effective are different types of gutter guards?
The best gutter guard for your gutters depends on your roof, your budget and what you want out of them.
Westfall recommends aluminum gutter guards for the majority of homeowners, as they offer the “best balance of performance and value.” These gutter guards allow rainwater to flow through them, but stop leaves and larger debris due to their slight perforation (meaning they are made up of small holes). These are the most reliable in his opinion because they reduce clogs but don’t restrict water flow.
But if you have the budget and want the best on the market, there are even better options. “If you’re looking for the premium option, LeafGuard-style systems are the Rolls-Royce of gutter guards, but they also come with a premium price tag,” says Westfall.
What are the disadvantages of gutter guards?
The biggest disadvantage — or myth, more like it — is that installing gutter guards still requires maintenance. Leaves and other debris can still pile up on top, meaning you’ll need to clear them off from time to time.
Gutter guards can be expensive to install, especially if you go with professional installation. DIY options are available, but might not work as well if you don’t install them correctly.
On the more serious side, poor gutter guard installation quality could even damage your roof, according to Westfall. “We often see installations where the gutter guard’s flange is tucked underneath the shingles instead of being properly positioned against the drip edge,” he says. “That can interfere with the roof system, create a pathway for water intrusion, and eventually lead to roof leaks.”
Are gutter guards worth the money?
It comes down to your home, environment and preferences, but for many homeowners, gutter guards can be worth the money.
When gutter guards make sense
Busy homeowners who have lots of trees on their property and who live in an area that experiences a lot of storms will get he most out of their gutter guards. Trees are a gutter’s worst enemy, as they can drop leaves, needles and seeds that build up, leading to overflowing water, clogs or worse, water damage.
You should clean your gutters at least twice per year, but you may need to do it more frequently if you have a lot of trees that drop debris into your gutters. the average homeowner spends up to three hours cleaning gutters (and that’s for a simple roof for an average 1,800 square-foot home), so it’s safe to say it will require a good Saturday morning to get the job done. If you have kids, work or an otherwise busy lifestyle, you might not find the time to clean the gutters well enough to let them do their job.
When they may not be worth it
Homeowners who feel comfortable doing their own home maintenance and have the time to do so may not find gutter guards worth it. “If there are not a lot of trees, and a homeowner feels comfortable doing regular inspections and cleanings, gutter guards may not be necessary,” says Westfall.
How much maintenance do gutter guards require?
As much as we’d like it to be true, installing gutter guards doesn’t mean you get to avoid home maintenance altogether. Gutter guards will, however, cut down on how much gutter maintenance you have to do. According to some sources, gutter guards can cut up to 70% off annual maintenance costs.
“Just like any other system on your home, your roof and gutters need annual maintenance to maintain their peak performance,” says Jon Abernathy, roofing expert with more than 20 years of contractor experience and director of contractor engagement at TAMKO Building Products. “Gutter guards and having your gutters cleaned by a professional at the end of each season can help prevent issues like ice dams, leaks and clogs.”
Westfall says that debris can still pile up on top of the gutter guards, so you’ll need to spend some time at the end of each season cleaning them off. You can do this yourself or hire a service, but you’ll want to clean them so that they can work as intended.
Best situations for installing gutter guards
If you live in an area where trees cover your roof, gutter guards are always a good idea. “If you have a lot of trees around your property, gutter guards are usually a worthwhile investment, regardless of your roof type,” says Westfall. “They’re also especially valuable in areas that experience heavy downpours, where clogged gutters can overflow and lead to water damage around the roof, foundation, and landscaping.”
Still, other types of roofs and environments can make your home the ideal candidate for gutter guards:
- Homes surrounded by deciduous trees: In the fall, trees drop leaves and can clog your gutters if you don’t stay on top if it. Gutter guards prevent those clogs from happening and make the leaves much easier to clean.
- Areas with frequent storms: If you get a lot of rain with heavy downpours, gutter guards can help keep your gutters clear so that they can get water away from the structure of your home.
- Homes with difficult roof access: For homes with steep roofs or multiple levels, gutter guards can make sense. Because gutter guards mean less cleaning, you’ll save time and money on gutter cleaning costs.
- Regions with pine needles and seeds: Pine needles and tree seeds (think helicopters) can clog your gutters quickly. Their thin, narrow shapes will build up over time and can cause major problems if left unchecked. Gutter guards designed to keep pine needles out (like micromesh) can be a life saver.
The bottom line: Do gutter guards work?
Gutter guards do work, and they can cut down on gutter cleaning and protect your gutters so that they can do their job.
The type of gutter guard you need depends on your roof, gutters and environment. That’s why it’s important to talk to your local gutter guard pro to determine what makes the most sense for your home.
“There are big differences when it comes to quality, durability and performance,” says Westfall. “Investing in a quality system will go a long way.”