In an ideal world, your roof guttering should transport rainwater to the downspouts, but that sometimes is not the case. With that in mind, does your gutter water splash out, soak people to the bone, or boreholes in your meticulous landscaping? Fortunately, gutter splash guards are a simple, inexpensive solution to an often frustrating problem.
What Are Gutter Splash Guards?
Gutter splash guards are thin, small vinyl pieces installed on gutters to direct water back into them. They come available with a straight or curved profile to fit on the corners of your gutter system. The corner pieces are instrumental because most gutter splashing occurs just above the corner, in the valleys of a roof.
Why Use Gutter Splash Guards?
There are many reasons why a gutter might overflow or splashdown. However, the design of gutter splash guards compensates for excess gutter water. This overspill often happens in valleys, where the water from two roof planes collects. Sometimes, gutters cannot capture the high volume of water coming off of the roof. As a result, some water goes straight over the gutters and onto the ground.
Why is gutter overflow a problem? It can create several issues:
- Landscaping damage
- Home foundation damage
- Gutter damage
- Increased potential for roof leaks at the roof edges
This problem might also cause more minor annoyances, such as spraying water or mud on your siding and windows.
A roof valley is a term used to describe two roofing sheets coming together. They are designed as channels for rainwater to collect in the gutter and drain via the downspout. Water flow increases during stormy weather, and the sheer torrent consequently overshoots the gutter and splashes around your house. Installing a splash guard directs rainwater into the gutter.
The Benefits
Installation is quick and convenient.
Installation is a simple matter of fitting one on every roof valley, making it a cheap, efficient, and straightforward solution.
The most vulnerable part of the roof is effectively guarded.
Roof valleys bear the brunt of water weight. So, when installing splash guards, the protection is where it needs to be.
They are easily removable.
If you need to paint, repair, or replace a gutter, you can easily detach and reattach it when needed.
They are inconspicuous.
The splash guard design is minimal and straightforward; therefore, it will blend in with your house’s architecture. In addition, there is no danger of it sticking out like a sore thumb, as it will appear as though it was installed when the house was built.
They are inexpensive.
If you shop around, it is possible to purchase a pack of 12 for less than $50. They typically cost between $35 and $50 for a multi-pack. What a bargain!
Who Needs Gutter Splash Guards?
Gutter diverters will not solve all kinds of gutter overflow problems, so it is essential to know when they are needed.
You need gutter splash guards if the water missing your gutters is rushing over the tops of them, in specific spots, when there is a lot of rain. If gutter splashing frequently occurs on your roof, it may be better to install oversized gutters to accommodate the water volume that you’re dealing with.
Gutter splash guards will not fix other common gutter problems, such as clogs, poorly aligned gutters, and leaking gutters. It can also be challenging to establish the problem responsible for your gutter issue, mainly because it likely happens during instances of high rain when a lot of water moves down your roof. So, it is vital to get expert advice.
Gutter splash guards are a cheap, simple solution for a structural problem on the roof. For example, if you have an upper roof plane that drains onto a lower roof plane, there may not be much you can do to reduce the amount of water that drains into the gutter. A gutter splash guard may be simpler than rearranging the gutter system on the upper roof plane.
Of course, a professional roofer can assist in deciding if gutter splash guards will solve your problem. Will it solve your problem, or do you need something else? Call a professional and find out! You have nothing to lose by phoning around.
