Covered gutters & gutter guards: The basics

by Ghodsi Emambakhsh 06/23/2024

If your home does not have covered gutters, it's worth considering gutter guard options. Keeping your gutters clean ensures proper drainage of rain runoff to avoid damage to your home's foundation. If you're interested in learning more about gutter guard options, here are some of the basic facts to know:

Do covered gutters really work?

Although a covered gutter can't necessarily guarantee you'll be free of issues, it can greatly reduce the amount of time spent cleaning and maintaining your drainage system.

The advantages of using gutter guards

A gutter guard helps in protecting a drainage system from water damage and prevents the spread of waste. Leaves, weeds, feathers and other debris can clog the gutter system quickly and hinder drainage.

Pest populations are also attracted to dripping, dirty gutters and will pose additional risk to your walls, roof and drainage. Installing gutter guards is a simple way to avoid unwanted issues and keep your drainage system clear.

Types of gutter guards

Some gutter guards are made of material meant to trap debris while allowing water to slice through. Micro mesh gutter guards and screen gutter guards are both examples of this concept.

There are also surface tension gutter guards made of metal or plastic, which direct the flow of debris out of the gutter entirely. Surface tension gutter guards, also called reverse curve gutter guards, are generally more costly and trickier to install. Mesh and screen gutter guard varieties are DIY-friendly, affordable and available in dozens of styles and strengths.

Can I put gutter guards on myself?

If your home is only one story tall, installing gutter guards is a relatively simple process requiring basic tools. However, it's safer to opt for professional installation if your gutters are higher than one story.

Gutter maintenance is a key part of protecting your home from the wear and tear of the elements. By using gutter guards, you can avoid serious clogs and make your own home maintenance job much simpler.

About the Author
Author

Ghodsi Emambakhsh

Experience the difference - personal ties and relationships turn a property into a home. Warm, professional relationships are a hallmark of the Compass experience, and my clients often remark on the quality of my carefully chosen network of financial, legal, logistical and other specialists. The high-quality network that I have fostered extends beyond the Bay Area to an international audience of potential home buyers and sellers through the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and the firm's luxury home division known as Luxury Portfolio. My personal network combined with Compass market tenure and brand identity gives my clients a distinct advantage when buying or selling a home. My relationships open the door for my clients to be at home anywhere. Where people, homes, opportunity and a bit of imagination intersect, you'll find me at Compass.