September 15, 2022
Top 5 Things To Consider When Getting A Gutter Guard Installation
Gutter guards do a fantastic job of reducing the amount of debris that falls into your gutters and keeping your gutters flowing. Clogged gutters have serious consequences, including water damage, leaks to your roof, and structural damage to your foundations. The professional installation of gutter guards will help keep your gutters clear and will protect your roof and foundation. They will also save you time and effort in having to clean the gutters whenever they get blocked.
It’s important to take your time when choosing gutter guards and make sure they are suited to the type of debris that you get and will fit your existing gutters. Poorly installed gutter guards and gutter guards of the wrong type will only cause problems. There are 5 points to keep in mind when selecting gutter guards.
1. Size of Debris
Depending upon the size of debris that is filling your gutters, you will need specific sized gutter guards. If you look around at what trees are in the near vicinity you can get an idea of what it is filling your gutters. Alternatively, you can look in your gutter at different times of the year and see what is in them. Gutter guard performance is best at stopping and catching larger debris, such as leaves, twigs, full-length pine needles, and other materials from nearby trees. Some styles of guard also prevent snowfall from filling up the gutter and decreasing water flow.
Tiny pieces of sand, roof granules, and broken pine needles are just too small to be able to be caught by gutter guards. Water needs to be able to flow through the meshes and grilles of gutter guards and gutters and it is almost impossible to catch these tiny pieces of debris. If you live in an area where these things are a significant problem, you need to install gutter guards that can be easily lifted and cleaned.
Foam gutter guards may be a better decision rather than mesh-type ones, for stopping the smaller particles. Your professional gutter installer will be able to recommend the best type of gutter guard, depending on the size of debris you get.
2. Willingness to Clean
The installation of gutter guards will significantly reduce the number of times you need to clean the gutters. However, they do still need cleaning once or twice a year, as do the gutter guards themselves, if they become blocked by leaves or pine needles. Now that cleaning is once or twice a year it isn’t such a burden on your time. Or you can pay a specialist to come in and clean the gutters and guards for you.
3. Condition of Gutters
For water to flow properly through your gutters, the gutters have to be well attached to fascia boards and tilted at the right angle for the water to flow. In order to install gutter guards and have them improve upon your gutter performance you need to ensure your gutters are in good condition. Contact us if you are worried or think that your gutters need some repairs.
Most gutter guards are exceedingly light weight and wont add to the load upon the gutters. Gutter guards also often have their own attachment hardware.
4. Roof Edges
The biggest limitation you have when it comes to choosing gutter guards, is the amount of space on the edge of the roof where the gutter attaches – the fascia board. Some modern homes are designed so that the fascia is minimal for a more modern aesthetic. So it may be necessary to check if you have any room for gutters and gutter guards.
Gutter guards are supposed to rest a few inches below the edge of the roof and the shingles or other roofing materials. Some gutter guard systems can be installed right under the shingles in order for there to be enough room for the guards to be mounted on the gutters. These systems may be more costly as they need specialized installation. Still it is much less work than refitting the roof edge with bigger boards for the attachment of the guard system.
In addition to the gutters being in good condition, it is important that the fascia boards are also in good condition so that they can be used to mount the gutters and guards. If your gutters are sagging or loose this may indicate that the fascia boards are rotting.
5. Type of Guard
There are a vast selection of different gutter guards, it may be quite confusing knowing which one will be best for your gutters. Get a professional opinion, a professional will look at the size of debris that builds up in your gutters and the actual size of your gutters and will be able to advise the best gutter guards for the job.
The most common materials of gutter guards are: aluminum, foam, and plastic. Metal and plastic guards come in mesh, grille, and sometimes micromesh designs, to collect the smallest particles possible. Using a suitable size and type of gutter guard will significantly reduce the work you need to perform on your gutters, throughout the year.
Stop the inconvenience of blocked gutters and water leaks by installing gutter guards for your home. A gutter guard system will help defend your gutters from blockage with plant debris and save you time from having to frequently clean out the gutters. At Optimal Gutters we have a wide selection of gutter guards for you to peruse. Our specialists will help you choose the right gutter guard system for your house and for your budget. Come book a complete consultation with us, no matter what type or size of debris you get we have gutter guards that can stop it. Contact us today for more information or to book a consultation.
