Gutter Repair and Cleaning + Preventative Maintenance

To Guard or Not To Guard Your Gutters? 

Inspired by an article posted on LinkedIn, I'm writing a blog post to address a common question asked by homeowners: 

 "Should I install gutter guards?"

Here are the pros and cons of different types of gutter guards, and why you should or shouldn't use them: 

Let's consider the typical scenario that you're likely to experience. 

Your gutters are clogged, overflowing every time it rains, you're getting stains on your sheetrock and bubbling paint in the outside corners on the ceiling where the water seems to be cascading out of your gutter. 

Argh! You've painted that corner ten times and you're sick of it. You can't figure out how so much dirt gets in your gutters, and why it doesn't just wash away. 

You call a gutter guy, roofer, or a local handyman to come over to clean your gutters.

 

"Well," says the gutter guy as he writes your estimate, "Your gutters are pretty clogged. I can clean them, and seal any leaks at joints, but you should really consider getting some kind of gutter guard to prevent all that stuff from getting in there." 

You squirm uncomfortably. You're thinking: What's this going to cost?

The gutter guy hands you his estimate. $150 to clean your gutters, and three options: 

Vinyl Screens, Metal Screens, or a whole new gutter system that has covers already attached. 

Total amounts: the first is under $1000, the next is over $1000, and the third is over $2000. 

You balk. 

Which option is the best for you? 

Let's go over the reasons why one might be better than the other for you, and why you might wish to go for a particular type. 

1. Vinyl Screens: Vinyl is very easy to install. It's flexible, and allows the installer to merely bend it temporarily to get it to slip into your gutter, Pros: It's cheap. Cons: Vinyl is very likely to breakdown, especially in  sunny areas. Eventually it will crack - like in cold weather, and depending upon the type of leaf litter, it may get clogged itself. Not good in areas with pine needles. They just get stuck in the holes, and you have the same problem draining all over again. 

2. Metal Screens: Metal can be hard to install, depending upon the condition and size of your gutter, But once installed, usually provides many, many years of service. Pros: Long-Lasting. Cons: More expensive, harder to install, can get clogged by pine needles just like the vinyl. 

3. Built-In Covers: Some systems have covers pre-installed, that look like a helmet or visor that a knight of the Middle Ages might have used,. There's only a slit to accept water, and leaves and pine needles generally are fewer and further between than in a screen. Pros: Work pretty well, in all sorts of conditions. Cons: Really expensive. Harder to install. Can get clogged occasionally, and when clogged, are harder to clean, requiring much more time and labor costs. 

4. Sponge/Foam Inserts: This is a rigid or semi-rigid foam that is inserted in your gutters, preventing anything from entering them except water. Pros: Reasonably cheap, depending on the manufacturer. Will not allow anything to get in the gutter. Cons: Once mold sets in, these porous foams can get clogged easily (with slime!) During the winter months, they soak up a lot of water, and can freeze, causing the ice dams and clogs that you just don't want. 

6. Curved, or Cylindrical gutters: A futuristic look and a curved top insure that nothing but water enters these gutters. Pros: In most circumstances, they work pretty well. Cons: Really expensive compared to traditional gutters, must be carefully cleaned, and possibly taken apart to get to clogs when they happen. 

7. Monitored systems: This is taking gutters to a whole new level, computerizing them with sensors that allow you to gauge flow, clogs, and even amounts of rainfall. I'm not even going to cover the rest. You need an electrician, a computer expert, and a gutter guy to work together to install these babies. Not for the faint of heart, price-wise. 

So we've covered all your options. What do you really need to think about? 

1. What kind of stuff is getting in my gutters?  -- What kind of trees do you have? 

Pines are the most intrusive. Oaks are pretty bad, too. Maples can do damage as well, 

Do you have a lot of trees overhanging you home? You might wish to consider getting a tree guy to trim back overhanging limbs. This will help you roof, too - and is much safer in storms, 

2. How often do you need your gutters cleaned, and exactly how dirty are they? -- Gutters should be cleaned twice a year in climates that have deciduous trees (trees that shed leaves). Best to do it late spring and mid-fall. 

If you find that you have plants growing in your gutters each season, you might wish to consider gutter guards.

3. What's your budget look like? Cleaning and maintaining gutters might seem like a serious outlay each year, but no matter what system you have, it's best to have them cleaned regularly. Can you afford to install guards and still pay for cleanings? Would you be better off paying for a tree trim? 

Armed with all this information, you should be able to get a rough idea of how you want to approach your gutter needs.

 

As usual, if you have any questions, feel fee to call me! 855-626-9100 toll free, Best Quality Roofing and Chimney. Ask for Nick.