Winter weather months can be especially harsh on your home’s exterior -- especially if your region experiences more snow, ice, and frigid temperatures than you know what to do with. All of the above can do a number on your roofing system, which includes the gutters.
Your gutters direct rainwater away from your residence through vertical pipes known as downspouts. But if leaves, sticks, or other things remain in the gutters, water could pool too close to your home’s foundation. That can lead to major problems that disrupt your budget.
When spring finally arrives, you’ll want to give your gutters a once-over. It may be best to hire a roofing company to perform an overall assessment and perform proper maintenance so your gutters continue to function properly.
Whether your gutters only need maintenance or require replacement, gutter guards are a game-changer that no homeowner should overlook.
Continue reading to see five reasons why your gutters aren’t complete without gutter guards.
1. Winter Debris Often Leaves Gutters Partially or Completely Blocked
Gutters can very easily get clogged in the winter. The leaves, pine needles, granule residue, and damaged shingles left in the gutters will become even more of an issue when you add snow. When the spring finally arrives, snow will melt in your gutters, but may not be able to flow through the downspouts due to obstructions.
When gutters are clogged, water overflows and can pool at the foundation. Eventually, this can cause major problems like erosion, leaks in the basement, or damage to siding or fascia boards. Gutter guards work by creating a shield where water can freely flow since debris, leaves, and other things are kept out. Installing gutter guards after a winter cleanup will also help render the guttering system ready for spring rainstorms, which can come suddenly and bring heavy amounts of rainfall. You won’t have to worry about clogs that impede flow.
2. Gutter Guards Mitigate Damage from Ice Dams
Ice dams occur when melted snow freezes at the edges of a roof, restricting drainage. With a backup of water from an ice dam, water can seep under shingles and leak into a dwelling. Although gutter guards don’t specifically guarantee the absence of ice dams, they reduce the risks since better water flow will minimize ponding in a gutter.
Winter can distort or weaken gutters already under tension, developing dips where water will collect and freeze. Come spring, problem spots could hinder proper drainage.
Gutter guards work to keep debris to a minimum and help safeguard against obstructions.
3. Spring Rain Highlights Vulnerabilities in Unguarded Gutters
Spring conditions, such as heavy rainfall, put gutter functionality to the test. Debris-filled gutters won’t properly accommodate sudden rushes of water, so they’ll spill over and splash onto the exterior of homes. Water can damage outdoor environments, leave marks on exterior walls, and speed up the degradation of exterior materials.
Gutter guards help maintain a stable water flow during heavy rainfall. When gutters are functioning properly, they can direct water towards a downspout and away from your residence’s foundation.
4. Gutter Guards Minimize Need for Frequent Cleaning
Once in place, gutter guards reduce the amount of debris that gets into the gutter system. While no gutter protection system is completely maintenance-free, gutter guards make gutter cleaning less frequent than it would otherwise be.
With time, less maintenance work will make gutter guards a sensible investment option, especially for homes with many trees or in regions where seasonal debris is a problem.
5. Gutter Guards Protect the Home’s Foundation and Exterior Long-Term
Water management is an important consideration in maintaining your home’s foundation. When gutters become clogged or do not function properly, they don’t direct water appropriately, which can allow water to accumulate too close to your dwelling.
Gutter guards will, by protecting your home’s foundation, safeguard your real estate investment. Most people list their homes as their biggest investments. It makes sense to do what you can to ensure the valuation climbs rather than drops.
Why Spring Is an Ideal Time to Install Gutter Guards
Spring is a suitable time for inspecting and maintaining gutter systems. Gone are the snow and ice, which will allow you to check for any potential damage sustained during the winter months.
During the spring, homeowners can fix existing gutter issues before things get worse. And installing gutter guards will keep your gutters cleaner and ensure better overall operation.
