The question of whether you should install gutter guards or not comes down to weighing their long-term benefits. For homeowners, gutter guards help cut down on regular gutter maintenance, making it a worthy investment.
The market is filled with various gutter guards, allowing you to pick and choose depending on your requirements and budget. It is even possible to install gutter guards the DIY way, but it’s best to go for professional installation to ensure you reap the rewards gutter guards has to offer without any room for errors.
Some gutter guards available in the market include foam inserts, surface tension helmets, mesh screens, and PVC covers. If you seek professional help, they will guide you in the right direction to help you choose the gutter guards that provide comprehensive protection.
With quality gutter guards you can rest assured they will pay for themselves over time by drastically cutting down the need for regular gutter maintenance or cleaning. Here are a few reasons why you need gutter guards –
Reduce The Need To Frequently Clean Gutters
Without gutter guards, you must get the gutter cleaned every few months. Depending on your location, cleaning gutters may cost anywhere between $150 and $550 if you are able to find someone to do the work in today’s market.
Properties with multiple stories would need bi-annual cleanings without gutter guards. However, installing gutter guards would filter out twigs, leaves, and other debris, reducing the chances of clogging. With gutter guards, cleaning may only be required once every couple of years, and you can periodically remove the dirt gathered over the gutter cover.
Gutter Guards Protect Your Property
Without gutter guards, the chances of debris clogging your downspouts increase. When water cannot make its way out of the property, it can cause severe damage to your property, causing structural issues. Some of the problems it can cause include –
- Water splashing against the fascia, leading to it disintegrating over time. It can cause massive damage to the structure.
- Water pooling at the ground may occur, weakening the home’s foundation.
Gutter guards can keep these problems at bay, ensuring there are no chances of gutter clogging or other related emergencies, which can unsurprisingly be more expensive.
Gutter Guards Minimizes Chances of Mold or Mildew
Mold and mildew formation caused by water leakage and spilling isn’t good for your health or your property. As mentioned earlier, clogged gutters lead to spilling and leakage of water in the basement and roof. Moreover, leaves, debris, and dirt in the gutter can also carry mold spores, adding to the health hazard.
It can lead to structural elements rotting over time, causing residents health issues. It can be particularly dangerous for people suffering from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
Moreover, it must be noted that mold and mildew remediation is fairly expensive, costing thousands depending on the scale of the affected area, the insulation required, and mold removal complexity. Gutter guards eliminate the chances of mold and mildew formation, saving you from any health complications and avoidable expenses.
Gutter Guards Help With Pest Control
Gutter guards act as a first line of defense between your home and rodents, pests, and even snakes. It will block the rodents and pests from forming their breeding ground near your property, as it wouldn’t give them access to the roomy gutter they love.
Without gutter guards, rodents and pests get a free run inside your gutter, potentially damaging your gutter and your home’s integrity over time.
Also, clogged gutters and standing water is where mosquitoes and insects love to breed. With gutter guards on, the chances of mosquitoes and other insects looming around the gutter and your home are negligible. Also, if you discover pests and rodents inside your gutter without a gutter guard, you will probably rope in professional help, adding to your gutter maintenance expense.
Final Thoughts
Do I really need gutter guards? Yes, you do, and even if it may not seem like too much of a concern at the moment, it helps in way more than one to protect your home and family from many problems, including health issues.
There are many choices for gutter guards, but when quality gutter guards are installed properly they help protect your home and stop the need to constantly clean your gutters.
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