Leaf Guards and Gutter Protectors
All You Need to Know about Leaf Guards and Gutter Protectors
One thing that most homeowners have never realized is that a gutter protector should trap all the water and shouldn't allow debris or leafs inside. They should also be easy to maintain. Don't be surprised that you don't need many gutter covers: one is enough especially if the leaves and debris are large.
Choosing the right gutter protectors and leaf
guards is not an easy task. You need to research about various types and pick
one that suits your needs. A poor gutter protector may cause leakage, overflow
into your basemen, or cause blockage in your gutters if debris and leaves keep
on accumulating.
Types of Gutter Protection Devices
- Screens- Basic screens are flat made of metal, plastic or wire with square holes, round holes or louvered openings. Modern screens have steps, troughs or rounded tops. When the debris get in and clog the screens, homeowner may need to go up and clean them
- Filters, Membranes, and brushes installed inside or on the gutter. They clog like screens and are replaced constantly.
- Flat solid top and a rounded front nose- fin type. A single long fin running along the gutter.
- Fin type with trough
- Rain dispersal and flipping gutters protectors- Attract leaves and dispersal of slow water is hard. As time passes by, the gutters accumulate debris blocking the water way and downspouts.
- Fin type with double row louvered front vertical surface.
Gutters with a series of bends on the nose of the guard or a large, smooth and tight radius collect more water. The screens and fin type of gutter protectors are good for a roof with a valley. While leaf guards will keep light debris off, flat solid top with rounded front nose- fin type and fin type with trough will work well in an area with large debris.
All types of gutters clog in mild and heavy
debris conditions but not in same surrounding. The fourth and third type
gutters protectors need to be cleaned inside. When cleaning all guards, someone
has to climb on a ladder and nails on fin type are removed first.