What Are Leaf Guards?
Leaf guards are protective covers installed over gutters to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from entering and clogging the gutters. They also help ensure that rainwater can flow freely through the gutters, into the downspouts, and away from the house, preventing water damage to your home.
Think of leaf guards as a filter for your gutters. They come in various styles and materials and work in different ways, but their main job is to keep debris out while allowing rainwater to pass through.
Why Do You Need Leaf Guards?
Gutters are essential for directing rainwater away from your home’s foundation. When they become clogged with leaves and debris, the water can overflow, potentially causing damage to your roof, walls, and foundation. You may not need leaf guards if you clean your gutters regularly, but they can be a wise investment because they:
1. Prevent Clogs: The primary purpose of leaf guards is to prevent gutters from getting clogged. By keeping debris out, they help ensure that water flows smoothly through the system.
2. Reduce the Need for Gutter Maintenance: Cleaning gutters is a messy and hazardous job, especially if you have to use a tall ladder. Leaf guards can significantly reduce the need for frequent gutter cleaning.
3. Protect Your Home: Overflowing gutters can lead to water damage, including erosion around your foundation and damage to your siding and roof. Leaf guards help protect your home from these issues.
4. Increase Gutter Lifespan: Less debris means less wear and tear on your gutter system. By preventing waste matter buildup, leaf guards can help extend the life of your gutters.
How Do Leaf Guards Work?
Leaf guards work by covering your gutters with a protective barrier that keeps out leaves and other objects while allowing rainwater to flow through. Here’s a simple breakdown of how they function:
1. Barrier System: Leaf guards are designed with a barrier or screen that covers the top of the gutter. This barrier can be made from various materials such as metal and plastic. The size of the openings in the barrier is crucial—it needs to be small enough to keep out debris but large enough to let water through.
2. Water Flow: When it rains, water hits the leaf guard and falls through the barrier. Most leaf guards are designed to channel the water into the gutter below. The shape and design of the guard help direct the water into the gutter and away from the edges.
3. Debris Exclusion: Leaves and other debris that land on the leaf guard will either be washed away by rain or blown away by the wind. The guard’s design ensures that these materials do not enter the gutter.
4. Self-Cleaning: Some leaf guards are designed to be self-cleaning. They use a combination of gravity and airflow to keep themselves clear of debris, making maintenance even more manageable. Self-cleaning works, at least in the laboratory, but it can vary greatly in real-life applications.
Types of Leaf Guards
Leaf guards come in several different types, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common types:
1. Mesh Screens: These are simple, affordable, and easy to install. They consist of a mesh screen that covers the gutter, allowing water to pass through while keeping out larger debris. However, smaller matter can sometimes get through the mesh.
2. Perforated Covers: Made from metal or plastic, perforated covers have small holes that allow water to enter the gutter while keeping out larger debris. They are effective but may need occasional cleaning to remove debris that gets stuck in the holes.
3. Reverse Curve Guards: These guards have a curved design that directs water into the gutter while letting debris fall off the edge. They are effective but can be more expensive and require professional gutter installations.
4. Foam Inserts: Foam inserts fit inside the gutter and allow water to flow through them while keeping out debris. They are easy to install but may need periodic cleaning as debris can get stuck on the foam. Foam insert gutter guards should be used as a temporary measure.
5. Brush Guards: Brush guards resemble pipe cleaners or bottle brushes. They lie horizontally in the gutter and trap leaves in the brush’s bristles while letting the water flow past.
With such a variety of leaf guards and gutter protection technologies available, you might be wondering how to choose the best type of leaf guard for your home. While some types of leaf guards can be installed by a handy homeowner, we suggest working with a local gutter company to select the leaf guards best suited to your needs. A local gutter professional will not only help you choose the correct type of leaf guard, but will also stand behind the choice with a commitment to service and maintenance.
Maintenance of Leaf Guards
While leaf guards reduce the need for frequent gutter cleaning, they are not entirely maintenance-free. Here’s how you can keep your leaf guards in good condition:
1. Clean and Inspect the Roof: Clean and inspect the roof, especially near the gutters and leaf guards. Sweep or blow off any accumulations from the shingles, inspect the roof for any cracks and other damage, and plan any repairs that might be needed.
2. Remove Debris from the Leaf Guards: Clear leaves, sticks, and other debris accumulating on the leaf guards to ensure proper water flow into the gutters. The amount of buildup on different types of leaf guards varies. Even “self-cleaning” guards accumulate debris on top. Some leaf guards with stainless steel cloth membranes must be brushed to clear the capillary openings from pollen, grime, and algae. You don’t want heavy rain to wash over the leaf covers.
3. Proactively Clean Gutters with Leaf Guards: Even if your gutters have leaf guards, it’s a good idea to clean your gutters at least once a year to remove any debris that might have slipped through to accumulate on the bottom of the gutter under the guards.
Unlike regular cleaning of gutters with no leaf guards, gutters with leaf guards must be proactively maintained to prevent a large buildup of debris in the gutter. This is best done in dry weather using an electric or gas-powered leaf blower to blow out the debris. Deferring this proactive task will result in larger accumulations on the bottom of the gutter that a leaf blower will not be able to handle. You will then need to remove some of the leaf guards to clean the gutters manually, resulting in a more arduous leaf guard removal, dirt clearing, and guard reinstallation job.
4. Check for Damage to Leaf Guards: While doing the proactive gutter cleaning, inspect the leaf guards and gutters for any signs of damage, such as cracks or loose fittings, and address any issues promptly.
Leaf guards are a valuable investment for homeowners who want to keep their gutters clean and functioning correctly. By preventing debris from clogging gutters, they help protect your home from water damage and reduce the need for frequent maintenance. Various types of leaf guards are available, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. You can also have a reputable gutter professional recommend a professional leaf filter system that best suits your specific gutter maintenance needs.
Remember, while leaf guards can significantly reduce the frequency of cleaning and maintenance required, they are not a complete substitute for regular gutter maintenance. Instead of cleaning an open gutter system three, four, or five or more times per year, leaf filters can reduce maintenance to just one or two events per year while giving you the peace of mind to enjoy the rain.
