Common Complaints About Gutter Covers

Gutter guards offer a number of benefits. They are primarily designed to keep leaves, twigs and other debris out of your gutter system, thus preventing buildup that could later on lead to clogging. It’s a pretty straightforward job, but the specific function of a gutter cover may vary depending on its features. For example, gutter covers made with screens are best used to filter debris from rainwater, while solid covers are ideal for deflecting debris while collecting rainwater.

Of course, the specific type of gutter cover that you should have installed depends on the kind of protection you need for your gutter system. But regardless of your choice, you can count on any type of gutter covers to provide some level of protection for your gutters and your home. The benefits are quite valuable and undeniable. That is why several building professionals recommend installing gutter guards as part of the gutters’ upkeep.

Keep in mind that maintaining your gutters is crucial to preventing water damage. If your gutters are filled with blockages, water won’t be able to flow and be discharged through the downspouts. This could cause the rainwater to back up onto your roofing. Meanwhile, the heavyweight of water can create pressure in your gutters, eventually causing gaps in the gutters through which water can leak.

Since you have no control over where the leaks will happen, it’s possible for water to reach your basement or foundation. When this happens and remains ignored for an extended period, you might have to deal with basement flooding or foundation damage. Such problems can compromise the structural integrity of your home and cost a significant amount to repair.

With that in mind, it’s safe to say that the expense of adding gutter covers can be considered a small investment compared to the potential cost of home and foundation repairs. Nevertheless, you may still hear a few concerns about gutter protection systems.

In this post, Barry Best Seamless Gutters lists some of the most common complaints about gutter guards and discusses how Gutter Helmet® addresses them to guarantee the effectiveness and superior performance of its gutter covers.

Is It Really Effective?

Some gutter protection products only look great on brochures and advertisements. But when it comes to their actual performance, they can’t deliver on their promise. This often leads to customers losing trust in the effectiveness of all gutter covers. However, not all gutter guards are made with the same quality. Some have far more superior performance and materials than others.

To avoid getting disappointed with your gutter protection system, it’s important to have a complete understanding of its design and features as well as how they work. You can do this by being thorough in researching products and asking questions during your consultations with contractors. Make sure to get full explanations of the benefits of specific gutter covers so that you can properly weigh your options against each other.

In the case of Gutter Helmet products, the gutter guards are designed with a textured and ribbed surface. This enables rainwater to cling to the surface, as the water flows into the gutter channel. Gutter Helmet can also handle 22 inches of rain per hour without overflowing. When it comes to debris, Gutter Helmet has a curved edge extending past the edge of the gutter. This causes rainwater to round the edge of the gutter cover and pass through a 3/8-inch wide slit. With this unique design, debris is effectively prevented from entering the gutters.

It’s an Unnecessary Additional Expense

It is true that high-quality gutter covers are usually a bit more expensive. And if you opt for specific designs like the micro-mesh systems and heated gutter guards, you can expect the cost to go even higher. This tends to turn off homeowners, especially if they regard gutter covers as only a minor component that shouldn’t cost a lot. However, you should remember that gutter protection systems are more than just minor additions. They can provide long-term protection against costly repairs by preventing problems that are often the result of clogged gutters. Gutter guards will require an investment from you, but they can surely provide value in the long run.

Gutter Guards Don’t Work in the Winter

There have many cases wherein homeowners call back their gutter guard installers once winter arrives. Their main complaint is that the gutter covers drip with icicles or the gutters aren’t able to collect water when the temperature outside is freezing. However, the fact is that gutter guards are not designed to work at all in the winter. This should have been communicated by the contractors at the very start of the project so that homeowners know what to expect during the winter months.

When installation companies inform their clients about this aspect of the gutter guards, they may also offer the option of getting heated gutter guards instead so as to avoid such problems in the winter. Gutter Helmet has a Helmet Heat® Reduction System, which consists of a self-regulating heating cable that can keep ice and snow from building up around the edges of the roof. It reduces ice dams by melting snow before it even gets the chance to accumulate at critical areas and prevent the flow of water through the gutters and downspouts.

Gutter Guards Still Need Cleaning

It’s impossible for any gutter guards to require absolutely zero maintenance. However, you can expect your gutter system’s upkeep to be significantly reduced, making it easier and convenient still. If contractors claim that you won’t ever have to lift a finger to clean your gutter guards and gutters, you might want to consider that a red flag. Keep in mind that systems with any openings or slits will require some level of maintenance because debris will inevitably get in them, especially when it’s raining. With gutter guards, though, you can expect only a minimal amount of debris to get in your gutters. This will make gutter cleaning less of a hassle.

As mentioned earlier, it’s important to have a complete idea of how gutter protection works. By being well-informed about a specific system, you can have reasonable expectations and be able to provide the care it requires. To be sure, you can ask your contractor how often you will need to clean or check your gutters.

Gutter Guards Are Poorly Installed

Your gutter cover may be of high quality. But if it is installed poorly, you won’t be able to get the full benefits of the system. That said, you should look for authorized Gutter Helmet dealers. These businesses are trained and experienced in installing Gutter Helmet products, and you can rest assured that their installation methods are approved by roofing manufacturers. This means you won’t have to worry that the gutter guard installation might compromise your existing roofing warranty. 

Barry Best Seamless Gutters has been in business for about three decades. We specialize in seamless gutters, gutter protection systems, and retractable awnings. With years of experience in the industry, we can guarantee excellent workmanship and top-quality products that will protect your home. Call us at (315) 697-5000 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We serve customers in Syracuse, Manlius, and Fayetteville, NY.