Gutter Guards: Should You Get Them This Fall?

If you don’t know what gutter guards are, this fall may be the time to find out. Also known as gutter covers or gutter protectors, these handy little home maintenance devices are installed over gutter systems to prevent leaves, twigs and other debris from building up in the gutters. While gutter covers can be costly, depending on the quality and type of material, there are definite long-term benefits to having them installed on your home.

• Ease of maintenance. Gutter guards are a lifesaver for many homeowners, particularly seniors who may no longer be able to physically climb up a ladder to clean out gutters. Others don’t want to run the risk of seriously injuring themselves, which at an advanced age can be catastrophic. With gutter guards, the usual twice-yearly gutter cleaning in the spring and fall is no longer necessary. While gutter guards are still likely to need occasional maintenance (since some debris is inevitably going to accumulate on top of them), the collected debris can easily be swept off the top – which is preferable to paying someone to dig layers of slimy muck out of the gutters.
• Prevention of clogs and blockages. If leaves, seed pods and twigs that fall down on your house are left unchecked, they’re inevitably going to clog your gutters. Then all it takes is one strong storm to cause your gutters to overflow. While overflowing gutters may seem more of a nuisance than a serious problem, they can actually cause significant damage to your foundation as well as unsightly stains on the exterior of your house.
• Fewer ice dams. Clogged gutters result in standing water, and when the winter months hit, that water is going to freeze. The ice will not only weigh down and potentially damage your gutters, it can also contribute to the formation of ice dams. With the gutters blocked, the melt-off from ice and snow has nowhere else to go, and will end up backing up and seeping into your house. While gutter guards may not completely prevent ice dams, they certainly help reduce them.

Schedule Professional Handyman Services

Now that your eyes have been opened to the benefits of gutter guards, all you need to do is contact Handyman Connection at 1-800-88-HANDY to find an affordable handyman near you who can install them for you. We also offer other handyman services for seniors if you or a loved one need a little more help than you used to, so give us a ring today!