Are Gutter Guards Worth The Cost?

Owning a home can be a costly adventure, which can leave homeowners wondering what improvements they really need. Does a gutter installation make the list? In most cases, yes.

Gutters are an important part of a home’s water-management system. They collect rainwater from the roof and direct it through downspouts and away from the home. Without proper drainage, water can collect around the foundation, affect landscaping and siding, and contribute to moisture problems, including mold inside the home.

If you’ve purchased a new home without gutters or you’re considering replacing an existing gutter system, you may be wondering, “How do I know what the best gutter solution is for my home?” Understanding the different types of gutters and gutter protection can help you make a more informed decision.

Do You Need Gutters on Your Home?

In most cases, gutters play an important role in protecting a home from water. A properly designed gutter system collects rainwater from the roof and directs it through downspouts to an appropriate location away from the structure.

Without effective water management, rainwater can collect near the foundation, splash against siding, affect landscaping, and contribute to moisture problems.

Having gutters is only part of the equation. The gutters also need to be properly sized and installed and able to manage the amount of water coming off the roof.

What Problems Can Clogged or Overflowing Gutters Cause?

With an open style gutter, leaves, pine needles, and other debris can enter the gutter and restrict water flow. Over time, this can result in clogs, overflowing water, and additional maintenance.

Damage clogged gutters can cause may extend beyond the gutter itself. Depending on where the water travels, overflowing gutters can affect the roofline, siding, landscaping, and areas around the home’s foundation.

If water regularly spills over or overshoots your gutters during rainstorms, the gutter system should be evaluated to determine why it isn’t properly managing the water coming from the roof.

Can Clogged Gutters Contribute to Basement or Foundation Problems?

Gutters and downspouts are designed to move rainwater away from the home. When gutters clog or overflow, or when downspouts discharge water too close to the foundation, additional water can collect around the structure.

Gutters are not the only potential cause of basement or foundation moisture problems, but proper gutter drainage is an important part of managing water around a home.

Why Does Rainwater Overshoot Gutters?

Rainwater can overshoot gutters for several reasons. Heavy rainfall, clogged gutters, improper gutter placement, roof design, or a gutter system that cannot adequately manage the volume of water coming from the roof can all contribute to the problem.

The right solution depends on why the water is overshooting the gutter. A gutter professional can evaluate the roofline, gutters, downspouts, and drainage to determine what needs to be corrected.

Understanding Your Gutter Cover, Topper & Screen Options

Homeowners looking for a way to reduce gutter clogs have several gutter protection options. Understanding the differences between screens, covers, toppers, and complete gutter systems can make it easier to determine which solution makes sense for your home.

Gutter Covers

One option is a gutter guard, sometimes referred to as a gutter cover, that is installed on top of a pre-existing gutter.

Some gutter guards use screens with openings designed to allow water into the gutter while reducing the amount of leaves and debris entering the system.

Performance can vary depending on the design of the gutter protection, surrounding trees, roof configuration, rainfall, and maintenance requirements. Because many screens and covers are installed on top of existing gutters, homeowners should consider the condition and design of the underlying gutter system as well as the protection being added.

Gutter Toppers

A second option is a gutter topper. Gutter toppers are installed over an existing gutter and are designed to help prevent leaves and other debris from entering the system.

When comparing gutter toppers, homeowners should consider how the product attaches to the existing gutter, what maintenance may still be required, whether the existing gutters are properly sized and installed, and how the finished system will look on the home.

Some topper systems can also affect the appearance of the gutters if the cover does not match the existing gutter system, potentially detracting from a home’s curb appeal.

Can Gutter Protection Reduce Gutter Maintenance?

One reason homeowners consider gutter protection is to reduce the amount of debris that enters their gutters and the maintenance associated with keeping traditional gutters clear.

For some families, that becomes even more important as homeowners get older or no longer want to regularly maintain open gutters.

In this homeowner story, a son explains why he chose LeafGuard® Brand Gutters for his father’s home after his father fell from a ladder. His experience highlights an important consideration when comparing gutter systems: how much ongoing maintenance will the system require?

How Is LeafGuard® Different From Traditional Gutters With Gutter Guards?

LeafGuard® Brand Gutters are a one-piece, seamless system. Unlike traditional gutters where a screen, guard, cover, or topper may be added to an existing gutter, LeafGuard® combines the gutter and hood into a single system.

The patented aluminum system combines the seamless gutter and hood into a single run. With traditional sectional gutters, guards and covers are typically sold separately as an add-on accessory or attachment.

The LeafGuard® design uses the principle of liquid adhesion to allow rainwater to travel around the curved hood and into the gutter while leaves, pine needles, and other debris are directed away from the opening.

LeafGuard® Brand Gutters are backed by a lifetime clog-free guarantee and warranty protection for the ScratchGuard® paint finish. Learn more about LeafGuard® clog protection and how the system is designed to manage rainwater while keeping debris out.

LeafGuard® Brand Gutters have also earned the Good Housekeeping Seal.

Can LeafGuard® Help With Clogged, Overflowing, or Overshooting Gutters?

A gutter system needs to do more than collect rainwater. It needs to effectively manage water coming from the roof and direct it away from the home.

Clogs can restrict water flow through traditional gutters, while other gutter problems can cause rainwater to overflow or overshoot the gutter. When this happens repeatedly, water may end up where homeowners don’t want it, including near siding, landscaping, or the foundation.

In this video, we explain common gutter problems, including clogging, overflowing, and water overshooting the gutter, and how LeafGuard® Brand Gutters are designed to address gutter protection and water management in one seamless system.

For homeowners experiencing recurring gutter problems, the first step is determining why the existing system isn’t performing properly. The issue may involve clogs, gutter design, installation, downspout placement, drainage, or a combination of factors.

Are Gutter Guards Worth It?

Whether gutter guards are worth the investment depends on the type of system, your home, surrounding trees, maintenance expectations, and the condition of your existing gutters.

Before choosing a gutter guard, cover, topper, or complete gutter replacement, homeowners should ask:

• Is this a complete gutter system or an attachment to my existing gutters?
• How does the system handle leaves, pine needles, and other debris?
• What gutter maintenance is still required?
• How does the system handle heavy rainfall?
• How are the gutters and downspouts sized for my roof?
• Where will the downspouts direct the water?
• What warranty or clog protection is included?
• Who is responsible if the gutter system does not perform as expected?

The answers can help you determine whether adding protection to existing gutters or installing a complete gutter system makes more sense for your home.

Making a Gutter Installation Decision You Feel Good About

The most expensive home improvement project is the one you pay for twice. To avoid redoing work that’s already been done, do some homework.

Get a few estimates, research the products being recommended, read online reviews, and understand exactly what is included in the warranty. Call contractor references and ask them questions about their project. Review estimates and warranties carefully so you can make an accurate comparison.

You can also review our tips for hiring a reputable gutter contractor before making your decision.

Get a LeafGuard® Gutter Estimate in Minnesota or Wisconsin

If you’re dealing with clogged gutters, overflowing gutters, water overshooting your gutters, or drainage problems, Lindus Construction can evaluate your current gutter system and recommend options for your home.

For more information about gutter guards and LeafGuard® Brand Gutters, contact us today. Our team is ready to help you determine the right gutter solution for your home.