Why Do I Need Gutter Guards?

Gutter guards are designed to keep debris and leaves out of your home’s drainage system. Without them, your gutters can clog fast. And when water has nowhere to go, it can back up and damage your roof—or spill over the edges of your gutters and lead to costly basement flooding and foundation issues. The good news? Keeping your gutters clean and protected can save you a lot of stress and money. 

Let’s take a quick look at how gutter guards can make life easier and protect your home from moisture damage. 

6 Benefits to Gutter Guards 

Gutter guards look like long strips of aluminum with holes in them that allow rain into your gutters while keeping debris out. They act as a filter that blocks everything that isn’t water from entering your drainage system, so water can flow freely. 

Gutters add a finished look to your exterior. Aging gutters tend to get clogged, which eventually makes them warp. This causes issues with your fascia and decreases your home’s curb appeal. Your home’s value can diminish as a result, which is not good! But you can avoid all these issues by installing gutter guards to your drainage system. 

Here are some of the reasons gutter guards are so vital: 

1. Decrease Your Home Exterior Maintenance 

One of the best perks to installing gutter guards is that they reduce the need for gutter cleaning. By keeping leaves, twigs, and other debris from entering your gutters, you can rest at ease that your gutters will do their job of draining water away from your home. 

With gutter guards, you don’t have to clean out your gutters manually. That’s awesome because that means you won’t need to climb a ladder, reach into your gutters and scoop out the muck, climb back down the ladder, and do it again—all the way around your home’s perimeter! Gutter guards: 

• Increase safety – Gutter guards can help prevent falls and injuries by reducing the need to climb a ladder to clean out debris. 
• Save money – Over time, gutter guards can pay for themselves by decreasing the need for professional gutter cleaning. That’s a win! 
• Simplify maintenance – Installing gutter guards means you won’t have to clean your drainage system manually, giving you more time to do the things you love most.

2. Protect Your Home from Costly Damage

When gutters get blocked due to debris (or even a fly ball), they create problems. Why? Because water can’t drain through your gutters and downspouts, putting your home’s integrity at serious risk of damage such as: 

• Water pooling around your home’s perimeter, causing damage to your landscaping, basement flooding, and foundation issues. 
• Moisture backing up into your roof decking, which can lead to leaks inside your house. 
• Water causing fascia to deteriorate, creating costly damage. 

These are major problems that you can avoid with gutter guards. By investing in gutter guards, you’re safeguarding your wallet from big emergencies like these. 

3. Help Avoid Ice Dams and Gutter Freezing

If water gets dammed up in your gutters during a cold Chicago winter, it can freeze and result in dangerous ice dams. The weight of the ice can damage gutters, fascia boards, and your roof itself, while large icicles can potentially cause harm to people and property below. While gutter guards alone don’t prevent ice dams, they can help decrease the possibility of them by keeping water from melted snow moving through your gutters freely. 

4. Keep Pests Out 

Gutter guards minimize the likelihood of stagnant water sitting in your gutters. Why is that good? Because without water sitting still in your gutters, your home won’t be attractive to squirrels, birds, mice, mosquitoes, and spiders. With gutter guards protecting your home’s drainage system, it won’t be a breeding ground for pests. Gutter guards also act as a barrier that helps keep critters from making their way into your home behind your fascia boards. 

Still not convinced gutter guards are worth the investment? Keep reading. 

5. Protect from Premature Rust and Corrosion

Without gutter guards, debris and leaves can make their way into your gutters without warning. They settle on the bottom of your gutters, creating the perfect conditions for rust and corrosion formation. Rust can then weaken your gutter system, causing early deterioration and creating leaks. All these issues can be avoided by investing in gutter guards. 

6. Minimize Mold and Mildew Growth

Dirt, leaves, and other natural debris are the most common materials that clog gutters. These items can harbor mold spores, which can flourish inside clogged gutters. This is not good because clogged gutters can cause water to spill over on the side of your home or infiltrate your roof decking. The excess moisture can cause rot, mold, and mildew to take up residence in your attic. It can also create problems inside your home and damage your insulation.  

Mold and mildew aren’t healthy for any home, and they’re especially dangerous for people with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions. Mold remediation and replacing attic insulation can be costly. The encouraging news? You can avoid mold and mildew by installing gutter guards to your home drainage system. 

7. Increase Home Value

Gutter guards protect your house from water damage and improve its curb appeal, making them a worthwhile investment that ensure your property is attractive to potential buyers when it comes time to sell. 

Get the Protection Your Home Needs with a Reliable Gutter System

Don’t miss out! You can avoid foundation damage, basement flooding, and more with a new gutter system that includes gutter guards. You’ll simplify maintenance, save money, and bypass hassles by ensuring water safely drains away from your house. 

At LeafCo Gutters, we install premium products that ensure you get the high performance you deserve. Our financing options make gutter replacement and gutter guard installation simple and feasible. Take a moment to contact us to schedule your free consultation and ensure your home is protected from costly moisture damage.