Gutter systems do a great deal to keep a home’s exterior healthy. However, many homeowners do not know the benefits of gutter guards, which are typically made of mesh, aluminum, wire, or vinyl. Here are five reasons why gutter guards can improve your home:
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Maintenance
The primary purpose of gutter guards is to keep debris from clogging your gutters. Without them, gutters need more frequent cleaning and repairs. If you want to significantly extend the results of a professional gutter cleaning, installing gutter guards is the best long-term solution. Cleaning leaves and debris off of gutter guards is also far less of a hassle than cleaning bare gutters.
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Rust and Corrosion
Wet leaves, pine needles, and other debris sitting in your gutters promote the formation of corrosive rust. Additionally, if the debris overflows onto your roofline, mold can also start to grow on your roof. Neither outcome is very pretty, but luckily gutter guards can prevent damage by stopping the buildup of gunk in your gutters.
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Freezing
If water freezes in your gutters, the result of the ice blockage can significantly damage your home; in fact, icicles can weigh down your gutters to the point of collapse. Although gutter guards can’t stop ice from forming, they do ensure that water flows away from your home, further preventing water damage.
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Water Flow
Another one of the benefits of gutter guards is the improved water flow by keeping gutters clean of debris. Downspouts do not have as high a risk of being clogged as a result. This can impact the health of your house’s foundation and yard, since runoff water can cause flooding if not redirected properly.
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Pest Infestations
Insects and vermin belong outside your house—they also belong outside your gutters. Critters are less likely to take up residence in clean gutters, since nesting materials and standing water aren’t available. Gutter guards also work as a physical barrier for larger creatures such as birds, rodents, and possums. The guards stop animals from squeezing behind the gutters and fascia of your roof by blocking their entrance into your home.
Want to know more about the benefits of gutter guards? At Chevy Chase Exteriors, we provide quality gutter cleaning and gutter guard installations to all of Northwest DC and lower Montgomery County. Visit our Gutter page or call 202-981-0468 to learn more about our services.