7 Benefits of Using Gutter Guards

Are you one of the many homeowners across Australia who have to deal with clogged gutters every year? Clogged gutters are a nightmare to clean, with all those leaves, twigs and debris. It’s especially dangerous having to clamber around on your roof and try to get rid of them. 

From 2002 to 2012, ladder accidents at home have increased by 47%. To reduce the risk of slip-and-fall accidents from cleaning the gutters, the frequency of cleaning them must also be reduced. This is why Australian homeowners are encouraged to install gutter guards. 

To learn more about gutter guards and the key benefits of using them, continue reading. 

What are gutter guards?

Gutter guards are rolls of special materials that are fitted into your existing gutters, usually made of mesh, vinyl, PVC, steel, copper or aluminium. They are engineered to stop leaves, large animals, dust and other debris from entering the gutter and potentially blocking the downspouts and underground drains. 

What are the benefits of using them?

Also called leaf filter or leaf guard, gutter guards provide a wide range of benefits. However, not everyone knows about these materials and how they can prevent homeowners from having to tackle a dangerous task as gutter cleaning. Let’s take a look at their key benefits in the next sections.

1. Help prevent infestations 

Gutters are an ideal environment for vermin and insects like bats, birds, spiders, and mosquitoes. With stagnant water sitting in your gutters, your home becomes attractive to these insects and vermin. That doesn’t sound nice, does it? 

Gutter guards serve as a physical barrier to these animals to prevent them from invading your home. So, if you want to prevent your home from being a breeding ground to these pesky animals, gutter guards are your most reliable option.

2. Require less maintenance

It’s important to clean your gutters regularly, and it’s equally important to be mindful of the risk of injury when cleaning them. Because they are in high, hard-to-reach areas, you will need ladders and other equipment to clean them. And you will have to do this several times in a year. 

When you use a leaf guard, leaves and other debris will be collected on top of the guard, not inside the gutter. You can reduce the number of times you have to clean your gutters. This also removes the hassle of having to dig into clogged gutters to remove twigs, leaves, and debris. 

3. Prevent rust and corrosion

It’s worth noting that debris can absorb a lot of water. When debris and moisture-ridden leaves sit in your gutters for a prolonged period of time, it increases the likelihood of rust and corrosion. With gutter guards, you can prevent premature rusting from forming in your gutters. 

They act as a barrier and prevent leaves, twigs, and other wet debris from accumulating in your gutters, lessening the risk of rusting and corrosion. By preventing premature rusting and corrosion, gutter guards help extend the life of your gutters.

4. Prevent blockages

Do your gutters overflow during periods of heavy rain? Gutters may overflow if they’re not flowing efficiently. Most of the time, this is caused by a drain blockage in the gutter and downspout. 

Clogged up or overflowing gutters are dangerous as they can cause water to enter your home, damaging your foundation. Apart from that, they also result in unsightly stains on the exterior of your home. Gutter guards can stop these blockages and prevent your gutter from overflowing during times of heavy rain. 

With a gutter guard or leaf filter, your gutters are safe from the rainy days. Debris won’t accumulate in your gutters, so your gutters won’t overflow.

5. Improve gutter water flow

Because they prevent debris and stagnant water from clogging up your gutters, leaf guards can improve the flow of water through the downspouts and gutters. This may prove beneficial if you have a rainwater tank or rain barrel. 

The gutter guards will help your rain barrel refill more quickly when it rains. Additionally, your barrel will have cleaner water that is filtered of contaminants and debris. 

6. Help alleviate ice dams and gutter freezing

Water that gets trapped in your gutter is not a good thing in the winter. It can freeze and result in icicles or ice dams, which can loosen roof shingles, tear off gutters, and cause water to back up into your home. Leaf filters can be useful in this regard. 

Although they may not prevent ice dams entirely, leaf guards will prevent debris from accumulating in your gutters. This may alleviate ice dams and prevent your gutter from freezing in the winter.

7. Add a layer of protection to your home

Is your home located in a bushfire-prone area? During a fire, embers may come into contact with the dry leaves, twigs and debris in your gutters. They can quickly ignite and spread fire throughout your home. 

Certain types of leaf guards will add a layer of fire protection to your home. Once installed, a leaf filter or leaf guard can act as a physical barrier between dry leaves and debris and lighted embers. 

These are the key benefits of using gutter guards on your home. Though not everyone knows about them, homeowners should consider installing them as gutter guards prove worth the cost, time and effort. Install a leaf filter or leaf guard on your gutters and experience these benefits yourself. 

Gutter Protector Australia is here to protect your home

Want to install leaf guards on your gutters? Gutter Protector Australia has got you covered with our mesh foam gutter guards. They are easy to install, require low maintenance, and have been scientifically designed to last under the Australian sun. Unlike other gutter guards, ours don’t need to be screwed into the gutters and metal roof or have their edges sealed with silicone, making it easy to install and remove them. 

Gutter guard foam mesh has dominated the gutter guard market in the USA over the last 15 years, and now it’s available in Australia to help homeowners and professional businesses protect their property roofs. Stop leaves from clogging your gutters with gutter guards. 

For product enquiries, contact Gutter Protector Australia at 1300 551 451 or email sale@gutterprotector.com.au.