Gutter
guards can be a highly effective way of reducing leaf litter and large debris
in your gutters, but they’re no substitute for regular cleaning, and like any
product, some gutter guards are better than others.
If you’re
considering investing in gutter guards, here’s what you need to know.
What is a gutter guard?
Gutter
guards come in a number of forms, some more effective than others. Some are
simple mesh that sit over the top of your gutters, others are like a long brush
featuring bristles that are placed inside the gutter, while some are
permanently affixed to the top of your gutters and made from lightweight metal.
Their main
aim is to stop large debris like leaf litter and twigs from making their way
into your gutters in the first place.
Ultimately, the right gutter guard may reduce the volume of
build-up in your gutter system, particularly if your property is in a highly
vegetated area. But contrary to popular belief they don’t eliminate the need
for cleaning, and some types of gutter guards are preferred over others.
Cleaning is still required
No matter
what type of gutter guard you employ, your gutters will still need to be
cleaned on a regular basis. That’s because no guard can entirely filter out all
debris such as dust, dirt and sludge. If they did, they wouldn’t allow the
water in and then channel it away from your house.
The style of guard counts
Although
there are a wealth of gutter guard choices available, when considering which option
is right for you, a number of factors need to be taken into account.
Ideally, a
guard will:
- Keep
large debris like leaf litter out
- Deter
vermin and pests
- Still
allow water to freely flow through the gutter system
- Be
readily removed for cleaning
- Stay
in place between cleaning
Permanent is not
preferable
These days there are a range of permanent gutters guards
available which are affixed to the gutters of a property. These are not ideal
for a number of reasons.
When a gutter guard is permanently installed, it makes it
harder to access for cleaning, and, make no mistake, beneath the permanent mesh
sediment will eventually build up. Ultimately, this sediment can block and add
unnecessary weight to your gutter system.
In the interim a permanent structure over the top of your
gutters offers an ideal environment for vermin to hide, and that can have
serious ramifications.
Vermin, like rats, frogs or snakes can impact the quality of
tank water. They can also block the drainage, and should they perish in that
confined space, they will need to be removed.
The right solution
As experts in gutter cleaning, Gutter-Vac offers a unique
and purpose-designed gutter guard solution in the form of Gutter-Flow. Our
Gutter-Flow guards are designed to accommodate the free-flow of water, are
easily removed, deter vermin, and reduce the build-up of large debris in your
gutter system.
They are also simple to install and more affordable than
many people imagine.
Whether you’re looking to install the system yourself or
wish Gutter-Vac to assist with a hassle-free installation, you can learn more
about Gutter-Flow here.
About Gutter-Vac
Gutter-Vac is a national company proudly offering the
highest quality technicians in the gutter cleaning industry. Each of our
technicians is equipped with specialised training in Gutter-Vac’s vacuum
technology and provides quality customer service with an emphasis on safety.
You can learn more about our services here, or contact us directly to book
your next gutter or tank clean.