Rupert Smith

What are Gutter Leaf Guards?

Gutter leaf guards can keep your gutters clean and free of debris so you do not have it risk life and limb to clean them each year.

There are several different types of gutter leaf guards on the market but they each have their own way of preventing leaves, pine needles, and other debris from clogging up your gutters. It can be a difficult and dangerous job to unclog your gutters every year in order to keep them operable, so it is a good idea to take preventative measures to keep them from getting clogged up in the first place. There are roughly six different types on the market and this article will discuss the most popular ones so you have a better idea of what type is available.
 
The first of the many gutter leaf guards this article will discuss are the ones made from metal, wire, or plastic. They use a mesh screen that allows the rain water to enter but keeps the leaves and other debris out. The only drawback with this kind is that you will have to occasionally clean off the mesh guards or they will get clogged up. Also, depending on the size of the holes in the mesh, some smaller pieces of debris will be able to get through.

Another type of gutter leaf guards that you may be interested in is a fin type that has a rounded nose and it uses a combination between surface adhesion and gravity in order to work. When the rain water comes down it sticks to the front of the nose of the cover and flows down into the gutter. The problem with these is that they are easily clogged which can defeat the purpose of having them installed in the first place.

Next there are the house gutter and foam leaf guards and they work by filling the gutters with a foam insert that is water permeable. The foam is able to keep out the leaves, seeds, and other debris while allowing the water to flow into the gutters. This can be a very effective method and is not that expensive either. However, make sure that the ones you purchase are treated with insect repellent and mold resistant. It is also a good idea to have it treated with a fire retardant. Another option you have are hybrid models that combine the efforts of both surface tension and screen systems. They work well but can be pricey.

If you are looking for a particular model of gutter leaf guards, you might want to try Leaf Relief gutter guards. These are one of the most popular brands as they promise to decrease the amount of leaves that enter your gutters by 100 percent! Other debris such as pine needles are still largely deterred but to a somewhat lesser extent. They are practically invisible from the ground so you do not have to worry about them lessening the appearance of your home.

Article Tags: Gutter Leaf Guards, Gutter Leaf, Leaf Guards, Other Debris

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