The Problem with Gutter Guards

The Problem with Gutter Guards

Frequently we are asked by our southeast Michigan customers if installing gutter guards would reduce the amount of junk in their gutters and in turn, reduce the frequency that their gutters need to be cleaned out. While gutter guards do serve a purpose, they often get more praise than they deserve. Gutter guards are a great way to keep large debris out of your gutters, however, they are not a solve-all solution to keeping your gutters clean. If you are considering gutter guards for your Macomb County home, here are some thoughts about these features from our gutter cleaning professionals.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

We often encounter gutter guards that a homeowner has self-installed that just don’t fit the right way. Like your home, your gutters are unique to other homes on your street, in your neighborhood and your community. Gutter guards are most useful for your home and for protecting your gutters when they are custom made for your home and your gutters. Gutter guards can cause more problems for your home than they solve, when they don’t fit correctly. If you really want gutter guards for your home, our suggestion is to have them custom fit and installed.

Hire a Professional

Unless you have years of experience with installing gutter guards, like many other DIY projects, it’s really just better and more cost efficient to hire a professional to fit and install your gutter guards. We’ve already discussed the problem with gutter guards that don’t fit well, but incorrectly installed gutter guards can be even more problematic. Your gutter guards should fit snug enough to hold tight during weather, but not so tight that they are difficult to remove. Poorly installed gutter guards can cause damage to your home by coming loose during weather or being impossible to remove. We still need to access your gutters when we clean them, but if your gutter guards aren’t installed correctly and are difficult to remove, we may have to skip sections of your gutters when we do clean them.

Not a Critter Barrier

If you have issues with squirrels, mice or other wildlife accessing your gutters, and you think that gutter guards will create a barrier from these pests, think again. Gutter guards do not work well as barriers against animals. As a matter of fact, gutter guards can make your gutters a more desirable location for critters to take up residence, because they can provide a bit of extra cover to your gutters.

Guards Don’t Replace Maintenance

If you are really considering gutter guards to eliminate the need for annual gutter cleaning, you will be surprised to know that even with gutter guards, your gutters will still build up debris. Gutter guards are intended to keep large objects like branches and shingles from getting stuck in your gutters, and they may provide some protection from leaves, especially if you have lots of trees around your home. However, they aren’t fool proof, and your gutters will still need to be cleaned on a regular basis.

Gutter guards are a great way to reduce the amount of debris that enter your gutters. They are not a replacement for annual cleaning of your gutters. If you are considering gutter guards, DH Window Cleaning recommends that you hire a professional to fit and install them. Once they are installed, keep up with your regular, annual gutter cleaning with DH Window Cleaning. Regular cleaning is still the best way to keep your gutters in good shape and your home safe from water damage. To schedule gutter cleaning or to learn more about our services, call us today at (586) 726-2340.