Gutter Guards, a Final Solution?

Leaf Guards for Rain Gutter

We're all familiar with the advertisements for leaf guards, promising that you'll never have to worry about your rain gutters again. However, there's often more to consider.

At Dovetail Rain Gutter in Belgrade, Montana, we've been installing leaf guards on both new and existing gutters for over three decades. Our experience has taught us that even the best leaf guards sometimes need a little maintenance.

Leaf Guard Maintenace?

Flat or horizontal leaf guards can occasionally gather leaves or seeds on their surface. Typically, once these leaves dry out, they are blown away, but there are instances when they may become lodged.

Recently, a customer requested that we inspect her rain gutter. Despite having a leaf guard installed, she noticed an accumulation of Maple Tree seeds, commonly referred to as helicopters or whirlybirds, on top of the leaf guards.

It appears that there was a significant seed production the spring before, resulting in an accumulation on top of the leaf guard.

We were able to easily brush them off, then we put in a call to a few different leaf guard manufacturers who told us gutter guards are guaranteed to keep leaves out of the gutter and that yes, sometimes will need to be brushed off.

Consider how often gutter cleaning was required before you had guards installed. Typically, it's advisable to clean gutters at least once every three months to manage debris accumulation. With gutter guards, the necessity drops to just once annually.

To decide on the best time for cleaning, consider the type of debris that usually clogs your gutters. If it's mainly leaves and tree debris falling in autumn, schedule a cleaning at the season's end. Conversely, if spring storms are the culprits for debris, arrange for a cleaning in early spring.

Additionally, it's important to inspect and clean the gutters whenever you notice signs of leaks or blockages, such as water spilling over the gutter's edge.

What about angled or helmet style leaf guards

These leaf guards can do a better job at preventing leaves from laying over the tops of them because they are angled but water may overshoot the gutter's edge during heavy rain, and they can allow leaves to enter the gutter. Installation often involves lifting the roof shingles to insert the gutter guard's back edge, which is challenging without damaging the shingles. Additionally, if debris bypasses the guard and enters the gutter, removing the guard for cleaning could further damage the shingles.

How often will leaf guards need to be brushed off or cleaned?

The care required for your leaf guards depends on various factors, including the types of trees present, the direction of sun exposure, among others. The north side of the house typically requires more attention due to the minimal sunlight that reaches there to dry the fallen leaves.

The majority of our customers have not needed to perform maintenance on the leaf guards we install.

Gutter guards can accumulate debris over time, especially if your roof sheds particles or if fine debris such as small pine needles collects on it.

To ensure optimal gutter protection, it's advisable to clean the gutter guards at least annually, ideally after most autumn leaves have fallen.

Clean gutter guards permit water to pass into the gutter, whereas clogged or dirty guards cause water to spill over the edge and pool near the foundation. Thus, maintaining clean gutter guards is just as crucial as keeping the gutters themselves clear.

How the Type of Gutter Guard Affects How Often You Clean

Certain gutter guards are more susceptible to blockages than others. Foam inserts may clog with a variety of debris, from asphalt shingle particles to matted pine needles. Mesh and slatted guards have a lower risk of clogging, yet they still require cleaning once or twice a year. It's advisable to consult the manufacturer to determine if your gutter guards are designed for easy manual cleaning. If they are permanently fixed, it's better to opt for professional gutter cleaning services instead of attempting it on your own.