Gutter guards prevent clogs and manage rainwater, preventing damage to your home. They also eliminate the need for climbing precarious ladders to scoop gunk out of gutters.
However, DIY-ers should be aware that gutter guard installation can be dangerous. Unless you have the experience to safely perform this job, consider hiring professionals. Read this first!
Ladder Safety
Gutter guards require working from a ladder, and even experienced weekend warriors can fall off. Falls from ladders can break bones, resulting in expensive medical bills, work loss, and pain and suffering.
Set up your ladder on firm ground and secure it to something stable. If possible, have a partner near to hand you tools and stabilize the ladder as needed.
Some types of gutter guards can be a bit tricky to install yourself, particularly foam and brush guards that use heavy bristles and are inserted into the gutter. Micro-mesh gutter guards typically slide under shingles and attach to the edge of the gutter’s outer layer, but this process can vary by brand. For the most reliable results, always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions closely. If you’re not comfortable or able to do this yourself, consider hiring a professional. They’ll ensure your gutter guards are installed properly for the best performance. A professional can also help you select the best type of guard for your home.
Tools
Gutter guards prevent debris and vermin from entering gutter systems, and they help keep them clog-free. They can lower or eliminate the number of trips you’ll need to make up and down a ladder to clear accumulated leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other organic material from your roof and gutter system.
However, they’re not a self-cleaning or maintenance-free solution, and you’ll still need to periodically clean large debris from the top of the guards with a hose. This is especially important if you select a mesh style that allows smaller debris to pass through the holes.
Before starting, thoroughly inspect your gutters for any repairs that will need to be made before adding covers. If you find any issues, consider hiring a professional to complete the work. It’s also a good idea to read all product installation instructions before beginning the project. Generally, most screen and snap-on models can be installed by lining up the front edge with your roofline and then clipping over the gutter’s lip. Most manufacturers recommend overlapping the sections by about a half inch unless otherwise directed.
Materials
While gutter guards require regular cleaning to function properly, they can alleviate the need for frequent and costly gutter repairs. They also prevent water from backing up into your roof, reducing the risk of rot and mildew.
Gutter guards come in a variety of materials, styles, and sizes to fit all types of homes. Some are crafted from solid sheet metal, while others have a perforated surface that keeps debris out but allows rainwater to flow through. The type you choose depends on your climate, the size of your roof, and the width of your gutters.
Most gutter guards screw into place on the roof with self-tapping screws that drill their own holes, eliminating the need for pre-drilling. When working on the roof, take your time to ensure a secure connection and an efficient installation. During this process, you may need to reposition the saddles on corrugated roof valleys for an optimal fit. This step can be particularly challenging and should be done carefully to avoid voiding any warranty on the product.
Safety First
Gutter guards prevent debris from entering your gutter system, and they can also improve water flow to help with ice dams in cold climate zones. However, they are not a self-cleaning or maintenance-free solution, and they need regular care to ensure that rainwater flows properly through your gutters.
A clogged gutter system can cause roof damage, and it is also a fire hazard for your property, especially in bushfire-prone areas. Embers from local fires can fly in the wind and catch your home’s gutters filled with dry leaves, pine needles, and other debris. Gutter guards can help to reduce the chances of this by forming a physical barrier between the wind-blown embers and your gutters.
Installing gutter guards yourself is not impossible, but it’s a risky project that involves scaling a ladder with power tools in your hand. It’s much safer to leave the project to professionals who will use the right tools and follow ladder safety protocol. Click here for the next blog post.