Do leaf guards work?

The short answer is yes, gutter guards work. While they can't guarantee that you'll never have clogged gutters again, they can significantly reduce the number of times you need to clean your gutters and lower the risk of damage to your home and property due to clogged gutters and sitting water.

Is a leaf guard worth it?

If you have big trees in your yard, gutter guards really will save you time and nasty work by helping to prevent your gutters from getting clogged. I'm a fan of properly installed, high-quality gutter guards. If you go for the really high-end systems, you can even get heated gutter guards to help with ice dams.

Are gutter guards a waste of money?

After reviewing all the ways that gutter guards fail to work, we conclude that the guards are a bad investment. When you calculate the amount of time, effort, and money it takes to install and care for gutter guards, you'll see that it offers zero cost-savings and is not worth the expense.

Is there a downside to gutter guards?

Gutter Guards can dent and lose some of their effectiveness, so avoid posting a ladder against your gutters during cleaning or when putting up seasonal lights & decorations. If not cleaned as needed, the added weight of build-up on your gutter guards may cause your actual gutters to sag.

Do gutter guards work in heavy rain?

Gutter guards do work in heavy rain—as long as you pick the right one for the job. Thanks to its raised mesh pattern, powder-coated aluminum frame, and reinforced fasteners, HomeCraft's gutter protection system keeps debris out while still letting water flow, regardless of the weather.

The Truth about Gutter Guards

Do I need to clean gutters if I have gutter guards?

It is a common misconception that you never have to clean your gutters after installing gutter guards. Even the very best gutter guard systems require cleaning, though the better the system, the less frequent the cleaning required. Over time, debris will build up inside the gutters that should be hosed out.

Should I remove gutter guards in winter?

Gutter guards can be bad in winter, depending on how much snowfall occurs in your area and how low the temperatures get. Ice dams and snow buildup may cause damage to the gutters and long-term damage to the house. The best gutter guards for winter are sloped and allow snow and ice to melt quickly.

Do leaf guards cause ice dams?

A cubic foot of ice weights roughly 60 pounds, and when enough builds up on your gutter guards, they may collapse into the gutter system. When this happens, they fallen gutter protection actually cause a blockage, which can lead to ice dams and expensive damage to your home.

How expensive is LeafGuard?

LeafGuard Cost

LeafGuard gutters cost $11 to $37 per foot on average for materials and installation. A Beldon LeafGuard gutter system for a home with 150 to 200 linear feet of gutters costs $2,150 to $7,400 for professional installation.

How long do gutter guards last?

Gutter guards that use steel over aluminum or other materials tend to be more expensive but last longer. Steel is a great option for homeowners in locations with extreme weather conditions, and buyers can expect steel gutter guards to last 10 to 20 years, if not much longer.

Is LeafFilter the same as leaf guard?

LeafGuard: Services and Features. While LeafFilter offers a three-piece micromesh guard and LeafGuard uses a one-piece reverse-curved gutter guard, both systems help prevent sticks, leaves, and other debris from clogging your gutters. Check out each provider's unique features and services below.

Do Foam gutter guards work?

Foam Gutter Guards Are Ineffective

It is designed to allow the pores within the sponge-like material to let water pass through to your gutters and down your downspouts. However, a foam gutter guard collects water just like a sponge and often times becomes trapped within the guard.

Do leaf filters get clogged?

You run into problems when the leaf gutter filter, which is installed over your gutter like a colander, becomes clogged with smaller debris. The Leaf Protectors simply does not work until it is wiped clean and hosed, which requires you to climb a ladder and clean your gutters.

Which leaf guard works best?

Micro-mesh is typically considered the best gutter guard option on the market. The micro-mesh keeps out almost all debris but still allows for proper water flow off the roof.

How much does gutter guard cost per linear foot?

Gutter guards typically cost between $1 and $10 per linear foot for the materials. Different gutter guard materials have different price points, and what you should expect to pay for gutter guard installation will depend on the length of your gutters and the type of guards you need to purchase.

Does LeafFilter work in heavy rain?

The micro-mesh material that LeafFilter installs on the top of your home's existing rain gutters will keep debris out, is resistant to corrosion, and can hold up even in a downpour situation.

What is the downside of LeafFilter?

Here are some disadvantages of installing a LeafFilter guard: Heavy amounts of rainfall will not be able to filter through the mesh and continue through your gutters but instead run down the side of your home and down to the base eliminating the entire purpose of a gutter system, let alone a gutter protection system.

How does Leaf Guard handle snow?

LeafFilter™ sits on top of internal hidden hangers in the gutter system, which keeps snow and ice out of your gutters. The internal hidden hangers provide unparalleled strength to handle the weight of snow and ice.

Do gutter guards cause icicles?

The truth of the matter is that icicles are actually caused by ventilation and insulation issues in your attic. When gutter guards are installed by LeafCo Gutters, you may see icicles more readily, but the guards themselves aren't the cause of the icicles.

Should gutter guards be installed under shingles?

Do Gutter Guards or Leaf Filters Go Under Shingles? As a general rule, for any roof, you should not need to lift your roof shingles to put a leaf filter or gutter guard under your shingles. If you do this, bumps and cracks might form on the shingles, allowing water to get into the roof.