Gutter guards, if properly installed, can help keep your gutters clean and make them virtually maintenance-free. In today’s post, local gutter and roofing contractor V. Nanfito Roofing & Siding, Inc. discusses why taking the DIY route with gutter guard installation is a bad idea, and should instead be left to the pros.
Gutters catch rainwater at the roof’s edge through an open top. The flaw in this design is it also catches leaves and debris, which means it has to be regularly cleaned to prevent clogging and overflowing. Accumulated detritus can also retain moisture that can cause corrosion in the gutters. Gutter guards — also known as gutter covers or gutter protection systems — cover the top of the gutter and separate rainwater from solid matter. Properly installed gutter guards should leave the gutter troughs clean.
There are many types of gutter guards that can be installed on standard gutter systems. Two of the most efficient gutter guard types are mesh covers that work like a sieve, and hood-style gutter guards that cover the top of the troughs. The latter route rainwater into the gutters using the water’s surface tension.
Some gutter guard products are available at hardware stores and can be installed by the homeowner. While DIY installations can save you money upfront, there are reasons why you should leave gutter guards to roofing and gutter professionals:
Risk of damage to the roof — Gutter guards may look simple, but their installation process is anything but. They need to be partially inserted under the last row of shingles, which means the installer has to know how to install the gutter guards without damaging the roof.
Not as durable — The gutter guards sold at retail are typically made of plastic or some other flimsy material, which won’t stand up against moderate to extreme weather. Gutter contractors like us use quality gutter covers made of galvanized steel or aluminum.
Risk of injury — Gutter professionals like us have the safety training and equipment to prevent injuries while working at the roof’s edge.
Limited warranty — Off-the-rack gutter guards have some form of factory warranty at best, which won’t provide coverage for installation errors. Professionally installed gutter guards, on the other hand, have both material and workmanship warranties.
V. Nanfito Roofing & Siding, Inc. is your leading provider of gutter and roof repair services. Give us a call at (203) 639-1634. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
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