Which Type of Gutter Guards Should I Buy?
Gutter guards for your home come in many different materials, applications and costs. We have outlined a few for you to consider before committing to a purchase.
Brush Gutter Guards for Your Home
As their name suggests, these gutter guards have bristles that make them resemble giant pipe or bottle cleaners. The gutter guards sit in the gutters and the bristles keep leaves and other debris from reaching the bottom of the gutters where water flows through. The key advantage of brush gutter guards is that they can be installed easily, so you may not need professional help unless you choose to ask for that help.
However, experts warn that brush gutter guards cannot necessarily keep all debris out since smaller items can get through to the bottom of the gutters and cause a clog.
Foam Gutter Guards for Your Home
This type of gutter guard consists of pieces of foam that are placed inside the gutters. These guards block debris from accumulating in the gutters while allowing water to flow through.
Key Benefits:
- Inexpensive
- Doesn’t require professional installation
Disadvantages:
- Trees and other seedlings can grow within the foam
- Clogs easily form within the foam itself
- Presents a potential increased fire risk
- Difficult maintainance since you have to take them down in order to clean the gutters
Surface Tension or Reverse Curve Gutter Guards for Your Home
The design of these gutters allows them push debris down while allowing water to flow through the gutter system. One major advantage of these is that it carries some form of warranty since they are mainly installed by professionals. Additionally, they are far better than brush and foam guards.
Disadvantages:
- can lift the shingles on the roof of your house, which could void the warranty on the roof system
- Gutter guards are extremely visible from a distance
- Some suppliers may make them buy new gutters to go with the gutter guards
- Pests can nest inside these gutter guards
Screens
Another option is to buy screens with large holes and install them to your gutters, either professionally or on your own. Screens are another affordable option for people looking to buy gutter guards. However, screens only prevent the larger pieces of debris, like big leaves, from entering the gutter. This means that the gutter could still get clogged fairly quickly from smaller debris. Also, storms and windy conditions can blow screens off the gutters. Plumbers in Sacramento, therefore, only let customers buy this type of gutter guard once they are fully aware of the maintenance requirements.
Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards for Your Home
This type of gutter guard has tiny holes that are not visible to the naked eye. These stainless steel guards are very durable and provide the best clog protection for gutters. Most even come with a warranty and will have to be installed professionally. Micro-mesh gutter guards are on the pricier end of the spectrum and you must take time to make sure you are selecting the best quality guards from amongst the many available on the market. Ask a Sacramento plumber for help if you aren’t certain about making the best decision on your own.
As you can see, there is a variety of gutter guards from which you can pick from to meet your needs. Get our help at Clarke & Rush so that you don’t make a costly mistake by buying what is visually appealing yet functionally inadequate.
