Do gutter guards work?
Gutter guards work at one thing: keeping large debris out of the gutter. Whether that is worth the money depends on your trees and your roof.
Call (844) 505-0973Connects you with a local gutter provider
Calls are answered by an independent provider that serves your ZIP code. You decide whether to hire.
The short version
- Short answer
- They cut down cleaning. They do not end it.
- They suit
- Houses under leafy trees, and gutters that are hard to reach.
- Think twice when
- The main debris is pine needles, seeds or roof grit.
What guards do well
- Keep leaves and twigs out of the gutter.
- Stop downspouts from clogging as often.
- Cut the number of ladder trips each year.
- Keep birds and pests from nesting.
What they do not do
- Stop fine debris, seeds and shingle grit.
- Remove the need to check and rinse the gutters.
- Handle every downpour without overshoot.
- Fix a gutter that is too small or badly sloped.
What decides whether they pay off
- Your treesBroad leaves are what guards handle well. Pine needles and small seeds get through or mat on top of most types.
- Your roofA steep or large roof sends water fast. Some covers let it shoot past in heavy rain.
- The typeFine mesh stops more and needs brushing off. Simple screens stop less and are easy to lift for cleaning.
- The priceCompare the quote with what you would spend on cleaning over the years the guard is expected to last.
How to decide
- Look at what is in your gutters now: leaves, needles or grit.
- Count how often they need cleaning and what that costs.
- Ask for the product name and price per foot from two companies.
- Read the warranty for the words clog and overflow.
Be wary of any promise that you will never clean gutters again. Every guard still needs an occasional look, and the better companies say so.
Gutter guards: what drives the cost
Gutters overflowing in heavy rain