BLOG POST: Gutter Guards
Gutter
Guards
Gutter guards help prevent leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other debris from entering your eavestrough system while allowing rainwater to flow freely. By reducing buildup and blockages, gutter guards can help prevent overflowing eavestroughs and clogged downspouts while significantly reducing how often your eavestroughs need to be cleaned. While they are an excellent preventative measure, its important to remember that they are never a final solution. If a company suggests otherwise... Bear Property Cleaning recommends that you don't do business with them!
Gutter Guard Information
Gutter Guards: Long-Term Protection for Your Eavestrough System
Gutter guards are designed to help keep leaves, twigs, pine needles, seeds, and other debris from accumulating inside your eavestroughs while still allowing rainwater to flow through the system and safely away from your home.
For properties surrounded by mature trees, professionally installed gutter guards can significantly reduce the amount of debris entering the eavestrough system. This helps reduce the likelihood of clogged gutters and downspouts, particularly during the fall when leaves and organic debris can quickly accumulate.
Keeping your eavestroughs flowing properly is important for protecting more than just the gutter system itself. Overflowing eavestroughs can allow water to run down exterior walls, collect around the foundation, damage fascia and soffits, erode landscaping, and contribute to other moisture-related problems around the property.
While gutter guards do not make an eavestrough system completely maintenance-free, they can greatly reduce the amount of debris that collects inside the gutters. Periodic inspections and maintenance are still important to ensure the guards, gutters, and downspouts continue functioning properly.
The quality and installation of the gutter guard system also matter. A properly fitted gutter guard should prevent larger debris from entering the eavestrough while still allowing substantial amounts of rainwater to drain through during Ontario's heavier storms.
For homeowners looking to reduce seasonal eavestrough cleaning, improve drainage, and provide additional protection for their home's water-management system, gutter guard installation can be a practical long-term solution.
Gutter Guard: FAQ's
What Are Gutter Guards?
Gutter guards are protective covers installed over an eavestrough system to help prevent leaves, twigs, pine needles, seeds, and other debris from entering the gutters. They are designed to allow rainwater to pass into the eavestrough while keeping larger debris out, helping the gutter and downspout system continue draining properly.
Do Gutter Guards Eliminate the Need for Eavestrough Cleaning?
Gutter guards can significantly reduce the amount of debris that enters your eavestroughs, but no gutter guard system should be considered completely maintenance-free. Small debris can accumulate on top of the guards over time, so periodic inspections and occasional cleaning are still recommended.
Are Gutter Guards Worth Installing?
For many homeowners, especially those with mature trees surrounding their property, gutter guards can be a worthwhile investment. By reducing debris buildup, they can decrease the frequency of extensive gutter cleaning and lower the likelihood of blockages developing inside the eavestroughs and downspouts.
Do Gutter Guards Prevent Clogged Downspouts?
Gutter guards can greatly reduce the amount of leaves and larger debris entering the gutter system, which can help prevent clogged downspouts. Keeping downspouts clear is particularly important because they are responsible for carrying rainwater from the roof and directing it away from the foundation.
Can Gutter Guards Help Prevent Eavestrough Overflow?
Yes, when properly installed and maintained, gutter guards can help reduce overflows caused by debris-filled eavestroughs. However, overflowing can also occur because of improperly pitched gutters, undersized eavestroughs, clogged downspouts, excessive roof runoff, or other drainage problems.
Will Gutter Guards Work During Heavy Rain?
A properly designed and installed gutter guard system should allow significant amounts of rainwater to enter the eavestrough. Performance during heavy rainfall depends on the type of gutter guard, roof design, roof pitch, eavestrough capacity, and the amount of water being discharged from the roof.
Do Gutter Guards Work With Leaves and Pine Needles?
Gutter guards are commonly installed on properties surrounded by deciduous and evergreen trees. They can help prevent leaves, pine needles, twigs, seeds, and similar organic debris from accumulating inside the eavestrough, although effectiveness varies depending on the design of the guard.
Can Gutter Guards Help Protect My Foundation?
Gutter guards can contribute to a properly functioning roof drainage system by helping keep eavestroughs and downspouts clear. When rainwater is effectively collected and directed away from the building, it can reduce water overflowing near exterior walls, landscaping, and the foundation.
Can Gutter Guards Be Installed on Existing Eavestroughs?
In many cases, yes. Gutter guards can often be installed on an existing eavestrough system as long as the gutters are in suitable condition. The eavestroughs should generally be cleaned and inspected before installation so existing debris and drainage problems are addressed first.
Should Eavestroughs Be Cleaned Before Installing Gutter Guards?
Yes. Existing leaves, dirt, roof granules, and organic buildup should be removed before gutter guards are installed. Downspouts should also be checked to ensure water can flow freely through the entire drainage system.
Do Gutter Guards Help During the Fall?
Fall is one of the main seasons when gutter guards can be beneficial. Falling leaves can quickly fill open eavestroughs, particularly on homes surrounded by large mature trees. Gutter guards help prevent much of this material from entering the gutter in the first place.
How Long Do Gutter Guards Last?
The lifespan of gutter guards depends on the material, design, installation quality, weather exposure, and maintenance. Higher-quality metal gutter guard systems can provide many years of service when correctly installed and periodically inspected.
Can Gutter Guards Be Installed on Different Types of Roofs?
Gutter guards can be installed with many common residential roofing and eavestrough configurations. However, the appropriate installation method depends on factors such as the roofing material, roof pitch, gutter style, and how the eavestrough is mounted to the home.
