Fall Seasons Annual Chore
Every fall, the trees begin to change colors and turn beautiful shades of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. This color change makes for beautiful scenery for a weekend drive. While many enjoy the masterpiece that Mother Nature has created, many homeowners dread the annual ritual of the cleanup.
Significance of Gutters
While they may seem harmless, leaving leaves on your roof and in gutters can lead to several problems. When leaves pile up on your roof, they can trap moisture, which can lead to mold growth. Additionally, mold can weaken your roof’s structure, leading to costly future repairs. As leaves drift to the edges of your roof, they can accumulate in the gutters. No matter how large or small a home is, clean getters are a must, as they are the only method of directing water away from your home to prevent serious damage to your property. Climbing on ladders or roofs can be dangerous for most and should be left to the professionals.
Gutter Guards
For new homes and existing homes, the most common-sense approach is gutter guards of some type that provide annual protection for roofing and gutter systems. They simply prevent organic matter and tree droppings from clogging gutters, interrupting waterflow, and ultimately creating damage to roofs and building foundation integrity. While all gutter guards need to be cleaned eventually, the simple solution here is hose or power wash attachments to flush them with high-pressure spray. Gutter guards stop leaves, debris and more from clogging your gutters while allowing water to flow through the gutters and off your roof. Not only do gutter guards help with rain runoff, but they prevent birds and animals from burrowing in your gutters or building nests. They also help keep rainwater from leaking into your home’s foundation, which can lead to structural issues, mold, flooding and more.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are many types of Gutter Guards available from numerous supply and installation sources in almost all regions and they also are available at most big box home improvement retailers. There are six types of gutter guards on the market: micro-mesh, mesh, screen, reverse curve/surface tension, brush, and foam. The gutter guard you select for your home should depend on your visibility, installation, cost preferences, and the amount of rainfall and debris your gutters experience.
Quality Examples of Gutter Guards
A-M Gutter Guards Heavy (Industrial) Gauge .018 100% Aluminum will not rust – Lifetime warranty by A-M Gutter Guard covers no rust, rot or product self-deterioration.
Leaf Filter – With no holes, gaps, or large openings, Leaf Filter keeps out all types of debris including pine needles, shingle grit, seed pods. Installs directly on your existing gutters.
Micro-Mesh – Made with a heavy .027 gauge painted aluminum. Micro- Mesh fits right on top of the gutter and is double banded with no sharp edges to damage your roof.
Atlas – White All-Aluminum Gutter Guard designed to drop in and secure. Engineered with .19 gauge punched aluminum, offering strength and durability.
Screen- Screen gutter guards are perforated metal or plastic sheets that lay on top of the gutter. The material’s holes block medium to large debris while still letting water flow through.
