As a homeowner, odds are that you have probably come across a magical invention that promises to keep your gutters clean forever. There are at least a dozen names for the devices: gutter guards, gutter shields, gutter screens, gutter protectors, gutter helmets, gutter gloves, etc. Having been in the gutter business for over thirty-five years, we simply like to call them useless.
Why do these products fail? The answer is simple: debris always finds a way into the system. The guards that are seen in the “in home demonstration” or depicted in photos or videos fail to illustrate the role that the dust, dirt, mildew, roof grit, and debris that accumulate on your roof every single day plays. Additionally, during heavy rains, the gutter guard will prevent water from flowing through the gutter and will begin to simply pour right over the top of the gutter.
The result, unfortunately, is always the same: the gutters will overflow, and your home and basement will become exposed to thousands of gallons of water pooling around your foundation. Furthermore, the wood behind the gutter will begin to rot, the gutters themselves will go “off pitch” (meaning they will have lost their angle and they will actually hold water), and your “100% guaranteed” no-clog gutters will end up damaging your home.
So, the answer remains- What should you do? Just leave your gutters open and clean them on a regular schedule. It saves you thousands of dollars and is the easiest and best solution for gutter maintenance.
Image courtesy of exteriorenergysolutions.com
