Why You Need a Leaf Guard for Your Gutters

Gutter guards are mesh screens, PVC covers, or even foam inserts that are designed to keep leaves and other debris from entering your gutters. Many people install them in order to make their gutters easier to clean. But that’s not the only benefit of installing a leaf guard for your gutters.

Reason #1

Reduced Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning out your gutters can be a headache, but it’s necessary to prevent your gutters from clogging, which can in turn reduce your gutters’ ability to keep water away from your home. While a leaf guard won’t eliminate the need to clean your gutters entirely, it can certainly help to reduce the frequency of cleanings. It’s a lot more difficult for leaves and other debris to get into your gutters with a leaf guard in place. That means that not only will they be easier to clean but they’re also much less likely to clog up.

Reason #2

Reduced Risk of Gutter Clogs

A clogged gutter can actually be a major problem. Water can overflow out of a clogged gutter instead of flowing away from the house as it should. Installing a leaf guard doesn’t just reduce how often you have to clean the gutters, but it also helps to prevent clogs from occurring.

Reason #3

Reduced Risk of Pests

When you think of gutters, you may not think of pest control, but that’s exactly what a leaf guard can help to do. By preventing clogs from forming in your gutter system, a leaf guard can also help to reduce the risk of bugs and other pests. Clogs in your gutters are actually an ideal breeding ground for insects such as mosquitoes because of the standing water that can build up in the gutters and on the ground below. Additionally, with the leaf guard blocking leaves from entering the gutters, it can also help to prevent larger pests like rats from entering and getting stuck in the gutters.

Reason #4

Reduced Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew can form anywhere there’s a lot of moisture. If your gutters are filled with leaves and get clogged, water won’t drain out of the gutters, creating an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow. If it rains enough, water can spill over the edge of the gutters and drip down the walls of your home, resulting in mold and mildew growing on your home as well. By helping to prevent clogs from forming in the first place, a leaf guard can also reduce the risk of mold and mildew forming.

Reason #5

Reduced Fire Risk

A gutter guard can also help to protect your home from fire. Leaves that build up in the gutters and in the downspout can dry out and function as kindling in the event of a fire. Preventing leaves from getting into the harder-to-reach spots in your gutter in the first place can help to remove a fire hazard, especially if you live in an area known for its wildfires.