Gutters are an important part of any home. They keep the house dry and in great shape. It is a shallow channel installed beneath the roof to carry off rainwater, or water from snow melt. They prevent accumulation of water on the roof so that your house doesn’t suffer any damage from the excess moisture.
Keeping the gutters clean and efficient is important if you want to keep your infrastructure in a great condition throughout the year.
Why cleaning the Gutters is important
Gutters are very helpful in keeping your roof free of water. But, the gutters are prone to clogging due to the gathering of dirt, dust and leaves, twigs and debris from various sources. These things can clog the gutters and prevent the water from going off the roof. The result will be water staying in the gutter. If the gutters are not cleaned then it will not only result in ugly clogging it will smell bad too. Cleaning your gutters is also key to keeping mold from developing.
If the gutters are left unchecked then the weeds and fungus can grow on them and create a very unhealthy environment for you. Keeping them clean is very essential.
Using Gutter guards
Gutter guards are installed to keep them getting clogged with leaves, twigs, debris and even animals. The guard only lets the water get pass through it leaving the other things on the top which can be removed easily.
Cleaning the gutter is one of the major and time-consuming household tasks and many people avoid doing it putting it off until the clogging become a big problem. If cleaning the gutter is too much of a work for you then you can consider installing a gutter guard in your roof. Using these guards you can easily keep your investment (house) in great condition.
Choosing the gutter guard
Gutter guards are available in two types: gutter covers and gutter screens. Gutter screens are the cheaper option and are available in materials like mesh, nylon or foam. They usually don’t last longer.
The gutter cover on other hand sits on the top of the gutter and may affect the way the whole setting look on the roof. These types of gutter guards come in materials like wire mesh, copper, plastic, aluminum and foam. They are long lasting but not as practical because they limit the water flow into the gutter as they sit on the top of it. Choose the size and length of your gutter guards according to your needs.
How to Install the gutter Guards
Installing gutter guards is not an easy task even if looks like it. Whether you are installing new guards or replacing the old one, make sure you follow the important rules.
Clean out the gutter
The first thing you need to do before installing the guards is to remove the existing debris from the gutters. Clean out the gutter entirely and use your garden hose to let water pass through it to check whether it’s working properly or not. It’s a simple test and will not take much time.
Make sure you have the right tools
The next thing is to make sure that you have all the necessary tools to install the guards. You may need drills and screwdrivers. If you choose the simplest type of gutter guards then you may not need any kind of tools.
Safety Precaution
Safety is paramount when you are installing the gutter guards on the roof. Make sure that roof is strong and can support your weight. Ladder safety is the most important part of how to install gutter guards on the roof. Take help from someone who can support the ladder and make sure you don’t fall off. Also, don’t lean the ladder against the gutter as it can damage or crack it.
Read the instructions carefully
If you are opting for DIY then you will need to follow the instructions of installation to the letter. Each type of guard will need different installation. Familiarize with the process before opting to install them. If you are replacing the old guards then you will need to remove them first. Make sure you do it safely.
Hiring the professional Installers
One of the best ways to install the gutter guards is to hire the professionals. Many people lack the professional or technical expertise of installing the guards. Safety is important more than anything else. The professional installers are of course more experienced and will do the job easily.
The other reason for hiring them is that they can install guards according to the specifications and built of your roof. The installation will be a lot cleaner than the DIYs. For people who are not exactly confident, should definitely opt for professional installation.
Conclusion
When it comes to how to install gutter guards there are various ways to do it. From choosing the right guards to installing them safely make sure that you do it right.