Gutter guards work when they are installed correctly and properly maintained, regardless of the slope of your roof. However, they have limitations in extreme weather conditions.
One of the biggest benefits of gutter guards is less gutter cleaning. Gutter guards block large debris, but remember, you’ll still need to clean your gutters once in a while to prevent clogs. This is important, especially if you live in an area with heavy rainfall or lots of leaves and other debris from trees.
Choosing the right type and taking additional precautions will ensure gutter guards do their job. In this article, we’ll explore the conditions in which gutter guards work and when they have limited functionality.
Trees Near Your Home
If there are trees near your home, you most likely have seen a lot of leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other debris in your gutters. If the debris isn’t regularly removed from gutters, it will clog the gutters and downspouts. The good news is that gutter guards protect your gutters from leaves, twigs, and large debris to prevent clogs.
While leaves and twigs are easy to remove from gutters or gutter guards, pine needles can slip through most types of gutter guards and cause problems. Mesh and micro-mesh gutter guards are the best choice to protect your gutters from pine needles and other small debris.
Reddit user SomeMadCaaant shares their experience:
Comment
byu/That-Salamander-2800 from discussion
inAusRenovation
Extreme Weather Conditions
Your local climate should be one of the factors you consider when choosing the type of gutter guards to install on your home. Gutter guards have limitations in extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, freezing temperatures, and scorching heat.
While gutter guards allow water to drain from the roof, they may not handle heavy rainfall. Cleaning your gutters, even with gutter guards installed, prevents clogs that lead to water overflow during heavy rain. Micro-mesh and reverse curve gutter guards can handle higher volumes of water than other gutter guards.
You can take additional precautions to ensure your gutter guards can handle extreme weather conditions, including resizing your gutters, removing the gutter guards before winter, or installing a heat cable. The type and quality of the gutter guards you install help ensure their reliability during extreme weather.
Installation Method
Correct installation ensures your gutter guards function properly. Foam and brush gutter guards are the easiest DIY options, but always check the manufacturer’s instructions when installing these. On the other hand, you should hire a professional to install more complex gutter guard systems, such as the micro-mesh and reverse curve types.
Roof Type
Gutter guards can work for your home, whether you have a steep or low-sloped roof. Water and debris buildup, which gutter guards help prevent, are more likely to occur on steep roofs.
Gutters are less common in homes with flat roofs, but gutter guards will still function the same way they do on more sloped roofs.
FAQ About Gutter Guards
Yes, gutter guards work in heavy rain. However, you’ll still need to clean your gutters to prevent clogs that cause water overflow.
Yes, some gutter guards are effective against pine needles. Micro-mesh gutter guards are your top choice to block pine needles and other small debris.
Yes, gutter guards work on steep roofs. They prevent water and debris buildup, a common issue with steep roofs.
Read Next:
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Main Photo Credit: Lesuna / Adobe Stock / Generated with AI
Related Posts:
