Experts often agree that gutter guards do not provide foolproof protection against all debris that can foul and clog gutters. You should not buy gutter protectors with the intention of never cleaning your downspouts again. They don't make your gutters invincible or magically resistant to the debris of the seasons. Advertisers claim that gutter protectors keep their gutters free of debris.
While it can prevent larger leaves and debris from infiltrating the gutter, smaller items, such as twigs and pine needles, can slip through the barrier. Over time, these bars can accumulate and, very soon, you will encounter a dam that prevents water from flowing through the channel. In general, sewer protectors can buy you time, but they don't stop blockages from happening completely. After reviewing long-term costs, it's safe to say that sewer protectors aren't worth it and are a waste of money.
Gutter Guards do a relatively good job of keeping debris out of gutters, saving you the chore of cleaning gutters. However, gutters still need routine cleaning and maintenance, defeating the purpose of investing in gutter guards. There are all kinds of gutter protectors. The good ones keep your gutters clean and can eliminate flooding and damage to your home.
But Consumer Reports tests reveal that some of them don't work well. Gutter protectors for bottle brushes are similar to pokey bristles that prevent birds from landing on things like statues. It is also more difficult to detect blockages because the guards sit at the top of the gutter, obstructing the view. Clean Break Home Services is an award-winning professional home services company offering services such as painting, pressure washing and gutter cleaning in Vancouver.
In places like the Pacific Northwest, it is especially important to clean gutters at least twice a year because of the weather and the amount of forests surrounding the houses. That said though, they drastically reduce the number of times you have to put on your gloves and hose your hands through the gutter system. Unfortunately, this is not an ideal world, and no matter what they say otherwise, gutter protectors (screens, helmets, covers) are not worth the investment. It's surprising and disappointing, but contrary to popular belief, sewer guards are a money pit, and there are five reasons for that.
One of the gutter guard designs, the K-style gutter guard, passes under the roof shingles, slightly lifting the first row of roof shingles. Avoiding such guards and setting up a cleaning schedule for gutters twice a year, according to expert advice, is best practice. While effective at keeping leaves and debris out of gutters, gutter guards can cause debris to build up on the roof. By removing small items, you can prevent them from becoming a big problem that could cause further damage to your property or the gutter guard.
The correct installation of a gutter guard should reduce the number of times you will have to clean the gutters. In the worst case scenario, gutter protectors could cause irreparable damage to the roof, costing thousands of dollars to replace. In turn, the protectors will reduce the amount of gutter cleaning and save you money in the long run.
