Gutter guards are exactly what they sound like, a guard for your gutter. The guard covers the top of the gutter with a mesh material. This material allows water to go through and drain down the gutter system as normal while blocking debris. Blocking the debris from entering the gutter reduces the risk of clogged gutters, ice dams, and rust and reduces the frequency of gutter cleaning. Gutter guards are great once they’re installed but getting them installed correctly is a bit of a challenge.
Incorrect Size
The length and width of gutter guards should be an exact match to the size of your gutters for a snug fit. There’s a common misconception that purchasing gutter guards larger than your gutters will offer more coverage against debris, but the opposite is true. Any gap in size between the gutter and the guard is an area where water won’t drain correctly, debris can get stuck, and issues can occur.
Putting Holes in the Roof
Gutter guards never require you to put holes in your roof for installation. Most guards just snap onto your existing gutters, but some are attached using fasteners. Even the fasteners connect to the gutter, not the roof. Any hole in your roof is a bad idea that increases the risk of water damage, mold, and pests inside the home.
Unguarded Downspouts
You might think your downspouts don’t need a gutter guard. If the gutter is guarded, why would there be any debris in the downspout? This logic is flawed because debris can actually clog the downspout from the bottom instead of the gutter system’s inside. Adding a gutter guard to the downspout is the best way to ensure water will always be able to safely drain away from your home without getting stopped by debris.
Lifted Shingles
Never move your shingles while installing your gutter guards. Even if you think you put them back down correctly, shingles that have been lifted are prone to water leaks in the future.
Damaged Gutters
It’s surprisingly easy to accidentally damage your gutters while installing gutter guards. The two most common installation mistakes that lead to damaged gutters are securing the fasteners wrong and leaning on the gutter too much. Once your gutters are damaged, your new gutter guards won’t be much help protecting against water damage or clogged gutters.
The easiest way to avoid damaged gutters and these other installation mistakes are to hire a professional gutter guard company. They will have the tools and knowledge for a secure installation the first time around. Contact Reynolds gutters today to learn more about gutter guard pricing for your home or to schedule a gutter guard installation!