How To Choose The Right Gutter Leaf Guards
Gutter leaf guards have been designed to protect guttering, downspouts, and drainpipes from the problem of clogging or blocking by organic debris. If your gutters were to get filled up with dead leaves then water can overflow and cause a serious problem to the structure of the building, damp walls can become commonplace.
There are actually many different types of gutter leaf guards available. The basic choice would be between a screen and a surface tension model. The former are usually characterized by a gauze or mesh that sieves out any leaves and other debris. The tightness of the gauze would determine how fast the water flows through and what size of dirt and debris is filtered out. A gutter screen that has large holes is perhaps better suited to homes in areas of high rainfall, whereas those with smaller holes are ideal for buildings close to trees and other sources of airborne debris.
A problem that is common on all gutter screens is that the screen itself will need cleaning fairly often of the debris that has been stopped from entering the gutter system. If this is left unchecked then water can be prevented from entering the down pipes and instead overflows onto the roof and down external walls.
Cleaning a gutter screen is a lot easier and less time consuming then having to empty the complete gutter of organic matter. If you choose a dry day then the accumulated leaves would be much lighter and quicker to get rid of.
More efficient than a gutter screen, surface tension leaf guards are now a popular choice for homeowners around the country. They close off the gutter from any large debris but have small openings through which water can flow. Most incorporate circular rims which are curved in a backwards shape which makes any leaves or debris roll over or blow off the roof and guard much easier. As the leaves do not accumulate in one place there are fewer requirements for cleaning and maintenance on a regular basis.
It is important to understand that the shape of your roof would play a role in determining which gutter leaf guard should be used. A surface tension guard is best suited to a slanting roof whereas a gutter screen is more effective on a flat roof. When it comes to the price, in most stores the screen guards are the cheapest option.
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