Do Gutter Guards Really Work?

Keeping your gutters clean is important to protect your roof and home from water damage. But if the task of cleaning out your gutters seems to slip your mind often, or if you’re not quite comfortable climbing up a ladder, it’s time to get some gutter guards.

For the skeptic who’s wondering, “Do gutter guards work?”, the short answer is yes. There are plenty of reasons why you should invest in gutter guards or covers. While they aren’t 100% maintenance free, they do cost less over time than hiring someone to clean your gutters once a year. Finding the best gutter guards for your home will also greatly reduce the dangers of having to clean out gutters yourself. According to the World Health Organization, 37.3 million falls a year require medical attention. So if you’re worried about your elderly parents climbing up a rickety ladder, or if you have a serious fear of heights, then gutter guards are definitely the way to go.

Not All Gutter Guards Are Created Equally

We want you to get the best gutter guards for your home, so here is what to keep in mind. First, make sure you’re getting removable gutter guards; this makes any problems easy to take care of. Second, gutter guards are made out of all different materials and in different designs, but they all come with their own pros and cons.

Foam gutter guards are commonly found at large box stores. They’re inexpensive and easy to install, but they get easily clogged with decomposed organic material. Seeds could also fall into them, turning your gutters into planters. Plastic gutter guards don’t last long, either, as they easily warp and break under UV rays.

Washington and Oregon are both home to large fir trees, and screen gutter covers with large holes won’t keep the fir needles out of your gutter. The acidity from fir needles and leaves will also cause galvanized steel gutter guards to rust.

Lastly, stay wary of companies that offer “maintenance free” covers. The right gutter guard will take care of 90% clogging issues. However, they will still need to be cleaned every few years.

What IBEX Recommends

Consider the type of environment you live in when looking for the right gutter guards. IBEX Roofing services the Vancouver and Portland area, and rusting is a general problem in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve found that stainless steel mesh screens are the best gutter guards for the region. Stainless steel won’t rust, and the mesh screen will keep out most small needles. Not only do they perform better than other types of gutter guards, but our customers like that they are also less expensive than other big name gutter covers. Gutter guards with an aluminum finish are also recommended to prevent rust issues.

IBEX can help you install new gutter guards at your next roof maintenance or gutter cleaning appointment. If you have any questions or concerns the best gutter guards for your home, or about gutters in general, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help.