The gutter system of your house is a crucial aspect that helps in restricting rain water or debris from damaging your home. The gutter collect water while the gutter guards ensure that no debris keeps the gutters from being blocked so that water safely flows from the gutters, to the pipes and then back to the ground.
Why you need gutter guards
In order to ensure your Leaf Guards in Philadelphia PA are not blocked by unwanted debris, gutter guards are put in place. Gutter guards are also knows and gutter protection systems that only allow water to reach the gutter while ensure that bigger particles such as leaves, debris and pests are kept out. Gutter guards protect your gutters, and ultimately your home from getting damaged. Here are some of the major benefits of gutter guards:
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Gutter guards keep out leaves, seeds, twigs and larger debris that fall from trees
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Gutter guards any rotting and keep the paint on your gutter intact
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Gutter guards save you the task of having to clean out your gutters yourself
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Gutter guards reduce the risk of having pests such as snakes and rodents from nesting in your gutters
Types of Gutter Guards
Gutter guards come in a variety of types. They can be made of aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, polyethylene and even color bond. Here are some things to consider when choosing your gutter guard:
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The material of your roof
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Your roof’s structure and design
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What kind of debris is common in your gutters
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Your ability to maintain your gutters
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The kind of gutter guard you can afford
There are 6 basic types of gutter guards to choose from:
Reverse Curve
A reverse curve gutter guard directs water downward into the gutter through a tiny slit. However, it allows leaves to fall away from the gutters, leave the gutters unclogged. While you can avoid most debris with reverse curve gutter guards, it does not prevent pests from nesting in your gutters.
Mesh
These types of gutter guards look like sheets that cover the gutters. There are tiny holes in the mesh sheets that allow water to flow from the shingles and through the mesh, entering the gutters and being led downwards through the gutter pipes. The holes allow only water and smaller debris particles to flow into the gutters, while excluding leaves and twigs.
Bottle brush
Bottle brush gutter guards are similar to hard brush ends that keep away birds, leaves, twigs and pests, but allow water to seep into the gutters. This type of gutter guard is an affordable option, but does not guarantee that your gutters will remain unblocked. There may be some wear on the bristles over time resulting in you having to replace the gutter guards.
Nylon
Nylon gutter guards are perfect for the winter season. Covering your gutters but not attached to your shingles, they allow water to seep through the nylon without allowing any debris to come through. The downside to using nylon gutter guards is that debris can accumulate on top of the nylon resulting in blockages.
Foam
The foam type gutter guards are made of plastic and fit on top of the gutter. It is used to keep all sorts of debris out, leaving only water to go through its holes and into the gutter. However, plastic gutter guards are prone to bending or becoming worn in months depending on the weather and environment. Therefore, for foam gutter guards are usually recommended as a short term solution to keeping your gutters clean.