The short answer is yes, gutter guards need to be cleaned. However, they don’t need to be cleaned as thoroughly or frequently as you’d need to clean out your gutters if they didn’t have gutter guards.
Gutters are a critical element of your home’s overall structure and function. They funnel rain and snow runoff away from the base of your house. If your gutters aren’t working properly, your home is at risk of water damage, and the landscape around your home, including your driveway, could erode.
Gutter guards fit over your existing gutters to help keep debris out. This ensures adequate water flow and reduces the need to clean out your gutters.
Gutter guards need to be cleaned to provide optimal drainage. In this post, we’ll guide you through gutter maintenance, why it’s important, and how to clean your gutter guards.
In this article:
- What Are Gutter Guards?
- The Importance of Gutter Maintenance
- Gutter Guards Need to be Cleaned
- How Do You Clean Gutter Guards (5 Steps)
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Gutter Guards?
Gutter guards fit over your existing gutters to help keep debris out. This helps to ensure adequate water flow and can reduce the need to clean out your gutters. Gutter guards may also improve the lifespan of your gutters.
By reducing the amount of debris buildup in the gutter, a gutter guard system can reduce the breakdown of your gutters. Over time, water and debris can erode your gutters, which makes them less effective and could eventually lead to a costly (and premature) need for replacement.
The Importance of Gutter Maintenance
Homeowners may tend to overlook gutters, but they serve an important purpose and should be regularly maintained to minimize damage risk and potential additional costs.
Fire Protection
Clogged gutters may increase the chances of flying embers from a wildfire igniting a fire in your gutters. Listed as one of the many ways to harden your home for fire prevention, maintaining your gutters by removing excess debris like twigs, leaves, pine needles, and moss can help reduce the risk.
Prevent Insect Infestation
Bugs love debris-filled gutters. They are often attracted to damp environments, making moisture-heavy clumps of leaves in your gutters a great place to congregate. Without routine gutter cleaning, insects like wasps, ants, cockroaches, and even termites might decide to move in.
Prevent Water Damage
Damaged gutters may also leak or sag, therefore failing to divert water away from your home. This can lead to rotted soffit and fascia, damaged shingles, mold and mildew growth, a flooded basement, or even damage to your driveway. Gutter guards help reduce the amount of debris entering the gutters while allowing water to flow through effortlessly.
Save Money and Time
On average, a gutter system will last anywhere from 10 to 20 years – but only if it is properly maintained. Regularly maintaining your gutters may take a little time, but it can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. A bit of maintenance now can prevent the costly process of having to install new gutters sooner than necessary.
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— LeafFilter Gutter Protection (@LeafFilter) September 18, 2023
Gutter Guards Need to be Cleaned
Gutter guards are designed to prevent clogs from forming inside your gutters, but some types of gutter guards require more cleaning and maintenance than others. There are several types of gutter guards, including wire brush, foam, screens, hoods, and fine mesh, and the level of effectiveness varies from one to the next.
The more effective the gutter guard is, the less cleaning and maintenance involved. However, regardless of the type of gutter guard that is on your gutters, we recommend cleaning them at least once or twice a year to ensure the best performance. With micromesh gutter guards, this is as simple as brushing off any debris that accumulates on the top of the micromesh screen.
Signs That Gutter Guards Need Cleaning:
- Excessive debris is clogging the guards.
- Gutters are starting to sag.
- Plants are growing inside the gutter guards.
- Pests are hanging out in the gutters.
- Water is accumulating in the gutters.
How Do You Clean Gutter Guards (5 Steps)
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— LeafFilter Gutter Protection (@LeafFilter) July 31, 2023
Given the range of gutter guard styles available, how you clean them depends on the type. Wire brush and hood-style gutter guards should be removed and cleaned manually since debris can still get lodged in these types of guards. Screens and foam can be rinsed off with a hose but may also need to be removed for adequate gutter cleaning.
The following steps walk you through how to clean gutter guards with a fine mesh screen.
- Be Prepared: Prep the area around your home where the gutters are located using a tarp or ground covering to protect the landscaping. Prioritize safety by wearing proper footwear, safety goggles, and gloves. If you need to use a ladder, be sure to secure it carefully and follow ladder safety practices.
- Remove Excess Debris: Remove any excess debris that’s sitting on top of the gutter guard.
- Rinse the Guard and Gutter: Rinse off the mesh screen guard using a hose. Aim the nozzle toward the downspouts to help direct the water as you clean the screen.
- Scrub Away Stubborn Dirt: Using a soft-bristled brush, lightly scrub away any stuck-on dirt or debris still resting on top of the mesh screen.
- Rinse the Guard and Gutter: Repeat your rinse procedure to clean off the mesh screen again.
For a twice-a-year deep cleaning of your gutters, it’s wise to call a professional to come take care of it. Gutter guards need to be removed to properly clean out the gutters underneath.
Fortunately, LeafFilter® gutter guards require minimal maintenance, are a permanent solution to clogged gutters, and come with a limited lifetime transferable warranty.
Made from uPVC material, our gutter guards don’t warp and won’t break down over time. Using surface tension and a specific pitch, our award-winning gutter guards are sealed tight to block even the smallest debris from entering your gutters, allowing water to flow through and away from your home.
Our patented technology is outfitted with a fine micromesh that keeps everything out of your gutters except water, eliminating the need to regularly clean them out. Our micromesh design is also easy to clean: simply wipe them off to remove any loose debris on top of the gutter guards. Call us toll-free today at 1-800-290-6106 for a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you clean gutter guards with a pressure washer?
You can at a low pressure like 2600 PSI. However, it is better for the gutter and the guards to clean them by hand to prevent damage.
Do gutter guards get clogged?
Yes, gutter guards can get clogged with debris like leaves and twigs, which need to be cleaned out a few times a year to prevent clogs and damage. Gutter guards can also become clogged with things like ice and snow.
What is the life expectancy of gutter guards?
The type of gutter guard determines its life expectancy. Foam guards last about two years on average, while micromesh can last up to 20 years. Guards made of plastic can last between three and six years, and aluminum can last between 10 and 20 years.
How often should I inspect gutter guards for maintenance?
Gutter guards should be inspected and cleaned at least once or twice yearly. However, they should be cleaned if you notice clogs or other maintenance issues.
Can gutters get clogged with gutter guards?
Gutter guards are intended to keep unwanted items out of your gutters so water runs through them without an issue. However, they can become clogged if debris builds up and the water cannot easily pass through them.
Is there a downside to gutter guards?
DIY gutter guards can often cause problems, and cost may be a factor for some people. That’s why investing in quality micromesh gutter guards, which require the least maintenance, and having your guards professionally installed is important. Our proven gutter protection system can help lengthen the life of your existing gutters and add value to your home.
How do you clean under gutter guards?
Certain types of gutter guards have to be removed to clean out gutters and underneath the guards. This is a good time to call a professional gutter cleaner to ensure the job gets done correctly and safely.
LeafFilter® gutter guards use patented micromesh technology that blocks even small debris to help keep your drains clog-free so you won’t have to worry about frequent gutter cleaning.
See all LeafFilter gutter guard locations and find the service location nearest you.
