Rigdon, Inc. Blog
Understanding Gutter Guards
by Kerry Rigdon on 01/20/16
Gutter guards...gutter
screens....gutter helmet...gutter covers...Google any of these terms and you
will get hundreds of different types of gutter guard systems. There
are relatively inexpensive do-it-yourself products at stores like Home Depot or
Lowe's, and there are very expensive professionally installed systems
available. With so many products available it isn't easy to determine
which ones are the best. Below you'll find details on some common designs,
but first we need to understand what guards are intended to do.
HOW GUARDS WORK
Gutter guards are intended to reduce the chance of home
damage caused by clogged gutters, and reduce the frequency of gutter cleaning /
maintenance. No guard will eliminate the risk of water damage or
eliminate the need to clean / maintain your gutters. There are many
different guard designs and all claim to be the best...however some guards do a
better job than others of helping homeowners reduce the risk of clogged
gutters, and some guards (from our experience) encourage clogs!
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COMMON TYPES OF GUARDS
Gutter Screens come in several varieties
including roll-out, hinged, and snap-on. You can find them manufactured
from plastic or metal. Some simply lay on top of the gutter. Generally,
these guards are promoted as easy to install, inexpensive, and openings will
allow rainwater to easily flow through while blocking leaves and debris.
One of the major problems
with screens is that the ends of the sections aren't
sealed-off. This
creates gaps where leaves, debris and sticks can get through. It also
creates opportunities for squirrels, birds, (and we've seen raccoons and
opossums) to wedge under the screen to nest. And once debris is in the
gutter, the rest of the screen prevents this debris from simply blowing
out. Additionally, leaves, sticks, and stems get caught in the large
screen openings, which collects and traps more debris, and the problem
escalates. Also, if the screens simply roll out or lay on without secure
fasteners, they can blow out of position or completely off the gutter.
Another drawback with these systems is that they can be aesthetically
unattractive and visible from the ground.
Bottle Brush guards simply lay in the
gutter channel. The good part about this product is that it is generally
not visible from the ground. That's about the most positive thing
about this system. The brushes may help a little with large leaves, but
actually trap maple seed 'helicopters' that are so common in this areaduring
the spring. Worse yet to clean out the brushes you must remove them and
shake them scattering debris. At least when cleaning gutters with no
guards at all it is easy to scoop and bag debris. The bristles snag
almost all types of debris and then keep it from being washed away with a
normal rain.
Foam Gutter Inserts are designed to fill the gutter channel so no debris can get that it seemingly works for about a year, then the material starts to deteriorate in but water can flow through. Homeowners who have used this product find
and degrade. Upon removal what they find is that this product traps fine particulate matter in the gutter. The other big problem is that it can't absorb rainwater fast enough. Even with moderate rainfalls, the water runs directly over the gutter and landscaping / drainage issues are the result.
Gutter Helmet and similar products are
professionally installed systems that are designed to allow rainwater to flow
in and debris to fall away. They are permanently attached
The biggest problem with these type of guards is that the opening will allow for debris to enter (especially maple seeds) and for small birds to enter and build nests. Since the covers are fixed, permanent systems, there is no way to get into the gutter to clean it out without ripping out the system risking roof and/or gutter damage.
WHY WE PREFER GUTTER RX
The following are the main features and benefits we like about Gutter Rx:
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- Completely
covers the entire gutter channel --no openings for animals or debris
- Constructed
of aluminum -- will not rust or deteriorate
- Attaches
to the fascia and the front of the gutter -- extremely secure and
reinforces gutter strength
- Perforated
like a colander -- allows for water flow but too small and won't trap
maple seeds
- Stair-stepped
surface -- reduces coefficient of friction / surface debris can simply
blow away
- Fits
flush to the gutter -- not visible from ground
- 20-year
NO CLOG Guarantee from manufacturer -- one of the industries strongest
guarantees
Gutter Rx consistently out-performs other gutter cover
systems because it is well designed, keeps debris out of the
gutter, is aesthetically pleasing, and for the quality extremely
cost-efficient. It is the only system we offer!
For more information about Gutter
Rx, visit our website.
FINAL NOTES
We have many clients who
have recently had new roofs/gutters installed and are given some sort of gutter
cover system either free or at 'extreme discounts' by the roofer as an added
bonus. Some of these clients are calling us with concerns because they
still seem to have clogged gutters. Removing
these covers to clean can result in additional fees for time and labor, and
sometimes is impossible if installed under the first row of
shingles. If you are in the market for a new roof or gutters and are
offered free or discounted gutter guards, be sure to ask what type of guard it
is, if there is a no-clog warranty, and consider it carefully before having them
installed.
Another issue is that
homeowners tend to install a gutter cover system and assume that they don't
need to worry about gutters again. All
gutters, covered or not, need to be checked periodically to make sure that they
are operating correctly. Winter snow and ice, falling
tree limbs, and industrious animals can cause damage that is often undetected
until water damage occurs. Rigdon offers gutter inspection services that
include cleaning if needed.
We highly recommend Gutter
Rx -- it is the best gutter protection product we've worked
with in the 24 years we've been in business. This is the first special
offer we've had for these guards and encourage you to take advantage of it!
