Your gutters do the important work of diverting rain away from your roof and foundation. However, clogs to the system can ruin their effectiveness. To avoid having to clean them of leaves, dirt, and twigs as regularly, many homeowners invest in leaf guards. These are installed over the trough and are designed to let water through into the drainage system while stopping debris from entering the channels. The guide below looks closer at the benefits involved.

How Leaf Guards Can Save You Time & Money

1. Prevent Clogging

Once organic material clogs the gutters, the rainwater that they are meant to be channeling may instead back up onto the roof. This can cause water damage to your shingles or lead to mold growth. Alternatively, the water may overrun the sides of the gutters, eroding the soil around your foundation. Guards keep the debris out so you can trust your drainage system will work properly.

2. Easier Maintenance

Without guards, you’ll need to get up on a ladder regularly with a pair of gloves to manually pull all the debris out every few months. This work will become more necessary in the autumn when the trees start dropping leaves. It’s a time consuming and labor-intensive job. Guards reduce the need for this by keeping debris out, so you can spend your weekends on other tasks.

3. Prevent Freezing

If water is sitting in your gutters due to a clog, it will eventually freeze in the winter. This phenomenon, called an ice dam, completely stops the flow of water. If enough water freezes, the weight of the ice can also pull down your gutters.

4. Avoid Corrosion

Soggy leaves prevent the metal from drying out completely. This constant moisture will cause rusting and corrosion, shortening the life of your gutters.

5. Keep Out Pests

Open gutters are an attractive invitation to pests, especially if they have stagnant water in them. Mosquitos, spiders, mice, and birds may breed in your drainage system. They may also use these channels as an access point into your attic. The guard serves as a physical barrier to keep them out.

The professionals at Buffalo Roofing install leaf guards for homeowners in Kearney, NE, and throughout central Nebraska. They guarantee their high-quality work with a 5-year workmanship guarantee on all their products. See their full list of services online and call (308) 224-3163 to request a free roof estimate.