The Ultimate Guide to Gutter Guard Installation

Gutter guards are a great way to protect your home from water damage due to clogged gutters. Not only do they prevent debris from entering the gutter and causing blockages, but they also help reduce maintenance costs over time. But before you can reap these benefits, you need to know the proper way of gutter guard installation. This guide will explain the process of installing gutter guards, including the tools needed, how to prepare the area, how to pick the right type of guard and more. By following this guide step-by-step, you’ll be able to easily install gutter guards on your own and keep your home safe from water damage for years down the road.

First and foremost, let’s discuss why you need gutter guards. Gutters are designed to funnel water away from your home and protect its foundation from water damage. Over time, debris such as leaves and twigs can accumulate in the gutters and cause blockages. This can lead to overflowing gutters, which leads to water pooling around your foundation and eventually leaking inside your home – resulting in costly repairs. Gutter guards help prevent this issue by blocking debris from entering the gutter while still allowing rainwater to flow freely out of it. 

Now that you know why you need gutter guards, let’s talk about what types are available. The two most common types of gutter guard are mesh and solid styles. Mesh gutter guards are made of plastic or metal that’s woven into a grid pattern to allow water to pass through it, but prevents debris from entering the gutter. Solid styles, on the other hand, are typically made of foam inserts or vinyl sheets that form a barrier between your gutters and the elements. Both types help keep leaves and other debris out of your gutters, however solid styles might be better suited for areas with heavy rainfall or extreme temperatures since they provide more protection against moisture than mesh guards. 

Once you’ve chosen the type of guard you need, it’s time to start preparing for installation. Before you get started, make sure you have all the necessary tools on hand. These include a ladder, safety glasses, work gloves, pliers, screws and a drill. Additionally, you’ll need to measure the length of your gutters in order to purchase enough gutter guards for the entire area. 

The next step is to prepare the area for installation. Remove any existing debris from the top of the gutter with a scoop or trowel before installing your guard. Then make sure all holes are sealed and that there are no gaps between sections where water could seep through. This will ensure that your gutter guards do their job and keep leaves and other debris out of your gutters.  

Finally, you’ll need to install the gutter guards. For mesh guards, simply place them along the top of your gutters and secure them with screws. For solid guards, use pliers to cut pieces to fit in each section of your gutter, then screw down the edges for a snug fit. Make sure all connections are sealed and that there are no gaps where water could leak through. 

Now that you know how to install gutter guards on your own, you can enjoy years of protection from water damage without having to worry about clogged gutters or spending money on expensive repairs. With proper installation and regular maintenance, these simple devices can save you a lot of time and hassle while keeping your home safe from water damage.