3 Awesome Guide for Gutter Guards Installation
Gutter guards are a type of gutter cover or block that is placed on top of the gutter to prevent debris from falling into it. You won’t have to worry about pine needles, leaves, or other debris clogging your gutters and restricting water flow if you install a gutter guard. Gutter guards help to protect your home by ensuring that the gutter system is functioning properly. When gutters are clogged, water pours over the gutter and collects around the foundation of the house. When water collects in this region of the house, it can lead to things breaking down and creating water damage over time. Gutter protectors also help homeowners avoid having to clean their gutters on a regular basis.
Most experts recommend cleaning your gutters twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring, or more frequently if your property is shaded by trees that drop a lot of leaves and branches on the roof. However, many people fail to maintain their gutters. The debris that fills our gutters is out of sight and out of mind, both literally and metaphorically, and it’s just another thing on the lengthy list of yard care and house upkeep that often goes unnoticed.
If you’re having difficulties keeping up with your gutters, then gutter guards is a device that keeps debris from clogging your gutters. Gutter guards or covers prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris out of your gutters while directing rainwater to the downspout and away from your house. As the saying goes “Your house is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make,” so take the basic steps to protect it.
Choosing the Right Gutter Guard
Gutter guards come in a variety of styles, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to choosing the correct leaf guard, you must evaluate the cost, durability, and ability to install these gutter guards yourself.
For the most part, the Gutter Brush may be a superior alternative for the budget-conscious customer. The brush is designed like a cylinder and fits inside your existing gutters. The simplicity of the design is appealing: the brush functions as a filter, enabling water to enter the gutters while keeping larger debris out; but, the overall longevity and functionality of these gutter guards are inadequate.
The mesh gutters will be among the best on the market, and while they are usually installed by a professional, many homeowners will attempt to install them themselves. Mesh gutter screens are usually in the middle of the price range for gutter guards; they’re more expensive than gutter filters, but not quite as much as surface tension-style ones. Less expensive variants, which are made of plastic and can be installed oneself, can be as cheap as 50 cents per foot. However, those things don’t always keep all dirt out, so you’ll have to wipe them out on a regular basis.
Also, there are surface-tension gutter guards, which fit over the gutter and are shaped in such a way that debris falls over the edge of the roof while water pours down the gutter. This is where the Gutter Helmet comes in. The curving design directs leaves and other debris away from the roof while directing water through a three-eighths of an inch (0.95 centimeter) long slit. The Gutter Helmet also features a rough surface, according to the firm, which causes rain to stick to it as it pours downward.
Gutter Guard Installation Preparation
Although the gutter guards you purchase will be ready to install, there is still some preparation work that must be completed prior to installation and even before purchasing gutter guards. Gutter guards can be obtained through a local hardware store or straight from the manufacturer.
- Existing Gutters Should Be Cleaned
Before you install new gutter guards, make sure your existing gutters are clean and in good working order. You should never use a gutter guard on clogged gutters because the debris will become stuck inside.
- Test your Gutters
We recommend that you test your gutters after they have been cleaned. You may do this by simply running water through the gutter system with an ordinary garden hose to determine if it is working properly.
- Accurate Measurements
The process will be considerably easier if you measure correctly from the start. Cleaning the gutters is a great time to take measurements for your new gutter guards. You will have to cut gutter guards down if you get the wrong size. This approach can be difficult if you don’t have the right tools and knowledge.
- Getting the Right Tools
Gathering equipment such as a screwdriver, screw gun, tape measure, and others is a smart idea. After you’ve cleaned and purchased your new gutter guards, you can begin collecting the tools you’ll need to install them. You’ll need a solid and long-lasting ladder. Before you use the ladder, make sure you’re comfortable on it. In addition, the sort of gutter guard you choose will influence which tools you’ll require.
Installing Gutter Guards
Other gutter guards require screwing or nailing them into the gutters or using strengthening hangers to secure them to the fascia. Gutter guard installation is not difficult, but if you are not particularly handy, you might consider hiring a professional to do it for you. The style of gutter guard you select will determine how easy it is to install. If you choose your gutter guard carefully, you can end up with one that snaps straight onto the gutter.
- Completely read the instructions
Remember that a gutter guard that appears to be loose or that will move as soon as you come down from your ladder will not stay in place during a strong rainfall. Make sure you’ve read the instructions and understand exactly what you need to do to get your gutter guards placed properly. The installation of a foam gutter guards differs from that of a mesh gutter guard. If you don’t follow the right installation procedure, you may struggle to get the gutter guard in place.
- Safety First
Every year, many individuals fall off ladders, and the consequences can be fatal. You will save a lot of money by installing gutter guards, but it is not worth risking your health. The best thing you can do is make sure you’re doing all of the necessary safety precautions. Attaching a bucket to the ladder you’re working on with a S hook is one of the best ways to stay safe on it. This bucket can be used to store your equipment and supplies while still allowing you to maintain two hands on the project.
Take note: Using a ladder to complete gutter guard installation is the riskiest component of the operation. The problem with being on a ladder is that you must maintain your stability while working to install your gutter guards.
To guarantee that your gutter guard project is successful, you must take the necessary safety precautions. Many of these equipment will also be required to clear heavy debris from the tops of your gutter guards once or twice a year so that they may be used again.
EcoShield Roofing specializes in roof replacements and repair for metal and shingle roofs. We are a roofing business with all the correct credentials and the required local and state licenses to get your job done right.
We also offer roof repair and gutter installation to ensure that your roof continues to work properly for years to come. To get started on your new roof, schedule a free estimate now!