Gutters are critical in channeling rainwater away from your home’s foundation, preventing basement flooding and structural damage. But clogged gutters can cause water overflow and damage your roof.

Gutter guards remove debris and maintain proper water flow, reducing maintenance and avoiding costly repairs. But which type of gutter guard is best for your needs?

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Keeping your gutters clean is vital in preventing clogs and water damage. Cleaning your gutters regularly- ideally twice per year, in the spring and fall- helps you catch problems early so they don’t become more extensive, expensive issues.

To clean your gutters, start by ensuring you have all the necessary equipment: a ladder, safety goggles (for debris like seeds and pine needles), a garden hose with a spray nozzle, and a bucket for collecting the debris. Once ready to start, secure your ladder against a stable surface and climb up to remove the debris.

You need to be more installed, which is recommended if you’re uncomfortable climbing a ladder or your home has a steep roof. Otherwise, savvy DIYers with an appropriate ladder and some essential tools can often install their gutter guards on a 1-story house, as long as the correct measurements are taken and proper safety precautions are taken.

Prevent Ice Dams

The last thing you want is clogged gutters in the winter. They can cause water to back up on your roof or basement, causing rot in fascia and walls and mold and mildew to grow. Gutter guards Gresham can help prevent this by keeping water flowing freely.

They also keep out ice dams, which can build up along the edges of your gutter system. This is because ice dams are heavier than the water they contain and can cause the gutter to become detached from your house. 

Gutter guards can also minimize the risk of pest infestations by eliminating stagnant water and preventing rodents, mosquitoes, and insects from making themselves home in wet and dirty gutters. However, it is essential to note that no gutter guard system is entirely foolproof, and you may still need to clean out your gutters occasionally to get rid of acceptable debris.

Prevent Pests

Gutters are an essential home feature that keeps rainwater away from the foundation and prevents soil erosion and basement flooding. However, they can become clogged with debris like leaves, pine needles, small twigs, animal nests, and other organic materials. Clogged gutters are a significant problem because they allow water to back onto your roof or your house. This can cause mold, mildew, rotted wood, or structural damage.

Gutter guards prevent these issues by reducing the amount of debris in your gutter system. They also protect against ice dams by improving water flow so that melted snow can drain properly and not refreeze. They also help prevent pests by keeping squirrels, birds, and other rodents out. Metal options are best because they last longer and stand up better to weather extremes, while plastic gutter covers will break down quickly over time.

Prevent Damage

The good news is that gutter guards can help prevent rot and damage to your home from clogged gutters. They can also keep water flowing safely away from the foundation and basement of your home, preventing damage to your landscaping, foundation, and siding.

Gutter guards can also prevent the mold and mildew that may develop in clogged gutters. This isn’t just a nuisance but can harm your family’s health.

Additionally, gutters filled with dry leaves and pine needles can be a fire hazard, mainly if you live in an area prone to wildfires. During a wildfire, embers can travel long distances and easily ignite debris in your gutters. Certain gutter guards will protect your home by providing a physical barrier between the debris and embers.