Gutters may not be the life of the party, but they are specially designed to keep rainwater and snowmelt away from your roof and foundation by carrying water to the downspouts and into the local sewer system.
However, when debris collects in your gutters, water is blocked and leaks over the gutters, leading to water damage. As a result, keeping gutters clean has long been a woe for homeowners who risk climbing a rickety ladder to remove debris at least once a year. This is where gutter guards come in. Gutter guards sit over your gutters to stop debris from settling in and interfering with proper water flow.
In today’s blog post, we look at five benefits of using gutter guards to protect your home and make life easier.
1. Reduce Mosquitoes and Pests on Your Property
Standing water provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Gross, right?
Although your gutters might be out of sight and out of mind for you, mosquitoes are attracted to the standing water in blocked gutters and will use it to lay their eggs. As a result, your property will have more mosquitoes hanging around, making it challenging to enjoy sitting in your backyard to enjoy the summer weather.
Along with those pesky mosquitoes, your home can attract larger wildlife like squirrels, birds, and raccoons, who can access the fascia boards behind your gutters. This makes it easier for them to find a place to build a nest. With gutter guards, your fascia boards and gutters are blocked, keeping unwanted visitors away.
2. Avoid Ice Dams and Gutter Freezing
Once that cold wind starts howling, stagnant water in your gutters freezes, putting your home at risk of ice dams that can damage your roof. With gutter guards, you avoid debris that can lead to issues with stagnant water freezing when the temperatures drop.
When your gutters are clear, water flows away from your gutters, so there’s no risk of water freezing, icicles forming, or ice dams developing.
3. Fire Protection
Embers from surrounding brush or forest fires and backyard firepits put your home at risk for fires.
Embers can travel quickly on the wind, land in the debris in your gutters, smolder, and ignite. However, with gutter guards, you prevent dry leaves and twigs from getting caught in your gutters, reducing the risk of embers starting a full-blown fire.
4. Maintain Proper Water Flow and Reduce Water Waste
Installing gutter guards keeps water flowing to your downspouts without worrying about clogs.
You can also keep your rain barrel full to access free water for watering your lawn and plants, saving money on your water bills. It’s also better for the environment and wastes less water during droughts. Proper flow also means your gutters won’t overflow during heavy rain storms, so you prevent damage to your roofing system and foundation.
When water spills over your gutters, it can damage your home, siding, fascia boards, soffits, and foundation while also potentially leaving rust stains on your exterior walls.
5. Avoid Dangerous Gutter Cleaning
Moisture-ridden leaves and debris build up in your gutters, causing blockages and increasing the risk of damage like rust. As a result, homeowners need to either invest in gutter cleaning or climb up that ladder to remove all that debris to keep gutters clear.
Spoiler alert: we do not recommend getting up on a ladder because of the safety risks involved.
Installing gutter guards eliminates the need for gutter cleaning, reducing your home maintenance checklist and protecting your home from water-related damage.
So there you have it—five compelling reasons why gutter guards could very well be the unsung superheroes of home maintenance. From keeping the mosquito population in check to serving as a first line of defense against fires, these trusty fixtures do a whole lot more than just prevent leaf pile-ups. They offer peace of mind, save you from precarious ladder climbs, and could even save you money in the long run by keeping your home safe from water damage.
The Len Roofing & Remodeling Difference
When we say that we’re a top-quality home roofing and remodeling company that serves the North Shore and surrounding Chicagoland area, we back it up. We do more than simply cover the basics: we show up on time and nail it. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 847-768-6000 or visit our contact page.
