Your gutters are essential for keeping your home and landscaping in good shape when there’s a lot of rain, but cleaning out the gutters is a pain that can quickly fall by the wayside. Gutter guards sit on top of the gutters and block debris from entering. Most gutter guards are between three and eight feet in length, according to Bob Vila, and they’re a very good addition to your gutters and roof. Here are three key purposes.
1. Keep the Gutters Clear and Flowing
The gutter guards can be wire mesh or a metal plate with colander-like holes in it. In either case, the guard blocks leaves and other debris from entering the gutter while allowing water to still flow inside. So, water still gets off the roof and can flow to a drainage point, while the leaves and other items sit on the guard and wait for you to clean them off. Once the rain has ended and the roof has dried off, the debris on top of the gutter guard can form a guard-blocking mass if you don’t clean the guards off regularly. Luckily, that’s really easy to do.
2. Make Cleaning the Gutters Much, Much Faster
How do you clean a gutter guard? With all the leaves stuck on top, you really just have to sweep them off. Some gutter guards are hinged, and you can actually lift them up and flip them over, allowing the debris to fall to the ground. You may still have to clean off the guards manually, but there will be less debris left. The hinged gutter guards also let you inspect the inside of the gutter to ensure everything looks good in there.
3. Prevent Pest Infestations
When leaves gather in a gutter, they form a nice little habitat for a lot of pests. They can also trap water and prevent some of it from flowing to the downspout. These puddles are perfect for mosquito larvae. With a gutter guard, the leaves can’t trap water, and they really can’t provide shelter for bugs unless you just never clean off the guard. Although, since cleaning them is so easy, you can almost always find the time.
Gutter guards are the answer to reducing gutter maintenance while still protecting your home from rain or nearby debris. As a homeowner, it’s in your best interest to invest in them. Contact Wisconsin Seamless Gutters today to get started with a free estimate.
