If you’ve recently invested in gutter guards, you might be wondering if those cleaning days are finally behind you. While gutter guards are fantastic additions to any home’s drainage system, the reality is that gutters with guards still need cleaning. This might come as a surprise, but understanding why will help you maintain your investment and protect your home more effectively.
Do Gutter Guards Work?
The short answer is yes, gutter guards do work – but perhaps not in the way you initially expected. These protective systems are designed to reduce the frequency and intensity of gutter cleaning by blocking large debris like leaves, branches, and twigs from entering your gutters. However, they’re not magical barriers that eliminate maintenance entirely.
Think of gutter guards as helpful assistants rather than complete replacements for regular care. They make your life easier by handling the big stuff, but the smaller details still need your attention.
This is why professional gutter cleaning services often recommend regular maintenance even for homes with guard systems.
Why Guards Can’t Block Everything
One of the main reasons why gutters with guards still need cleaning involves the types of debris that manage to slip through even the best protection systems.
Pine needles, with their thin and elongated shape, are notorious for finding their way past most gutter guard types. These sneaky little troublemakers can accumulate over time, creating blockages that prevent proper water flow.
Shingle grit presents another challenge. As your roof ages, granules naturally shed from asphalt shingles and make their way into your gutters. Even with guards in place, these tiny particles can pass through and gradually build up. Add in pollen, seeds, dust, and small organic matter, and you’ve got a recipe for eventual clogs.
The accumulation happens slowly, which is why many homeowners don’t notice the problem until water starts overflowing during heavy rains. Regular gutter guard maintenance helps catch these issues before they become expensive problems.
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Surface Debris: When Guards Become Part of the Problem
Here’s something many homeowners don’t anticipate – debris doesn’t just try to get inside your gutters; it also loves to pile up on top of your guards. Leaves, twigs, and other materials can create a thick mat across the surface of your gutter protection system.
When this happens, water can’t penetrate the debris layer to reach your gutters. Instead, it cascades over the edges, completely defeating the purpose of having gutters in the first place. This overflow can lead to foundation problems, basement flooding, and landscape erosion around your home.
The irony is that your gutter guards are working perfectly – they’re keeping debris out of the gutters – but the debris sitting on top creates new challenges that require attention.
How to Clean Gutter Guards
Learning how to clean gutter guards properly is essential for maintaining their effectiveness. The process differs slightly from traditional gutter cleaning, but it isn’t complicated once you understand the basics.
Start by clearing the surface debris using a broom, leaf blower, or garden hose. This removes the layer of leaves and twigs that may have accumulated on top of the guards. Next, inspect the guard openings for any buildup in mesh holes or screen slits. A soft brush or water spray can help clear these smaller blockages.
For thorough seasonal cleaning, you might need to temporarily remove some types of guards to access the gutters underneath. This allows you to flush out any debris that managed to slip through and ensure your downspouts are flowing freely.
Using the right gutter guard cleaning tools makes the job much easier and safer. A telescoping pole with brush attachments, a quality garden hose with adjustable spray settings, and a sturdy ladder are essential equipment for most homeowners.
Also Read: 6 Warning Signs Your Gutters Need Repair Before It’s Too Late
Seasonal Considerations and Weather Impacts
The frequency of gutter guard maintenance often depends on your local climate and surrounding vegetation. Homes with heavy tree coverage will naturally require more frequent attention, especially during autumn when leaf drop is at its peak.
Storm events can quickly overwhelm even high-quality gutter protection systems. Heavy winds can deposit large volumes of debris on your guards, while driving rain might push smaller materials through openings that would normally repel them. Post-storm inspections are crucial for maintaining system effectiveness.
Spring cleaning is particularly important as winter debris and any ice dam remnants are cleared away, while fall maintenance prepares your system for the heavy leaf drop season.
Different Gutter Guard Types Require Different Care
The various gutter guard types on the market each have unique maintenance requirements. Mesh screens need regular checking for clogs in their tiny openings, while solid covers require more frequent surface cleaning since debris can’t fall through at all.
Brush-style guards might trap more small debris within their bristles, requiring periodic removal and cleaning of the brush inserts themselves. Foam guards can become saturated with organic matter and need replacement more frequently than other types.
Understanding your specific guard type helps you develop an appropriate maintenance schedule and use the most effective cleaning methods.
Conclusion
Gutters with guards still need cleaning because these systems are designed to minimize maintenance, not eliminate it entirely. They’re incredibly effective at reducing the frequency and difficulty of gutter cleaning, but regular care remains essential for optimal performance.
While many maintenance tasks can be handled as DIY projects, there’s significant value in professional gutter cleaning services, especially for homes with gutter guard systems. If you’re looking for a professional gutter cleaning service in Delaware, please feel free to contact us.
