It’s Fall, Y’all has become a pretty popular theme and meme across the Southeast, and for good reason. As summer begins winding to a close, most of us have now had our fill of heat and humidity for the year, and we’re looking expectantly to autumn. The arrival of cooler, less humid air feels like a breath of fresh air to residents of North Carolina and Virginia, and at this point it really can’t come soon enough!
But having said that, something else is coming soon too. As the weather changes, the leaves will start their annual fall from the trees, which also means any uncovered gutters will also start to get filled and clogged up.
Why is that a problem? Your gutters and downspouts are meant to direct the flow of water off your roof and away from your structure. When everything is working well, it’s an effective system. But accumulated leaves and debris can throw a wrench in that process, leading to backed-up water and potential damage to your gutters, roof, building foundation, and other aspects of your infrastructure. And that ain’t good!
Ok, not really. Honestly, it’s hard to classify gutter cleaning as something that many people truly enjoy. Sure, you can climb a ladder and dig out those gutters with each change of season, but it can end up being a pretty nasty job. You can also try leveraging things like a garden hose, leaf blower, or some other power tool to help, but it’s still a pretty involved process. And any time you have to climb a ladder or get on top of your roof, there are some inherent safety risks that go along with that.
Certainly, it’s important to keep your gutters free and clear for optimal performance. But is there a better solution that would prevent you from having to clean out your gutters on a regular basis? Yes there is, and that solution is to have some quality gutter guards installed.
It’s really what it sounds like. A gutter guard serves to protect your gutter and prevent leaves and other scattered debris from ever collecting in the first place, while still permitting water to flow through freely. Pretty cool! And while there are quite a few gutter guard product options available these days, the most popular are based around a screen material application, or some type of helmet cover design.
Deciding whether to install gutter guards comes down to weighing the upfront expense of purchase and installation against the many long-term benefits. If you’re a homeowner or property owner who’s interested in protecting your roof while saving time and effort on regular gutter maintenance, the answer is simple.
Yes, installing gutter guards is worth it. Here are a few specific benefits to keep in mind:
Climbing a ladder and fishing out collected debris from your gutters isn’t a fun chore. Even if you use hoses or power tools, gutter cleaning is still a messy and potentially dangerous exercise. Why endure that hassle when you don’t have to? Gutter guards will save you considerable time and effort.
Even in the Southeast, there can be ice concerns in the winter. If a gutter becomes clogged, any water present can turn into expanding ice which may lead to ice dam formation and potentially-dangerous overhanging icicles. Gutter guards keep all of that water moving, so there’s much less concern about any ice formation worries.
Birdwatching is fun, and rodents like squirrels and chipmunks are cute to watch from a distance. Even so, you really don’t want any of these critters to nest in your gutters. Nests like these can result in serious gutter blockages. With a reliable gutter guard in place, those cute critters won’t ever be able to gain a foothold inside your gutters.
During those dry seasons between the rain and snow, organic matter that accumulates in your gutters can pose other sorts of dangers. Dry kindling of this nature is just one spark away from becoming a roaring fire! You won’t have to face that potential risk with a proper gutter guard in place, because none of that combustible material will ever be able to collect in your gutters to begin with!
Without any gutter guards, your gutters are more prone to hosting standing water. Persistent moisture of this nature can lead to rust or corrosion which shortens the life of your gutters. So, not only will gutter guards protect your gutters in an immediate sense, but they’ll help to prolong your gutters’ service life, too.
There are more gutter guard products on the market today than ever before – but some are better than others. Skywalker Windows & Siding offers three which have set themselves apart by their reliable performance:
Raindrop is a drop-in, heavy-duty vinyl gutter guard which features a patented lattice grid screen that conducts more water than other screen or mesh designs, while still effectively keeping out leaves or debris. Raindrop also carries a 20-year manufacturer warranty, which is one of the best gutter guard warranties you’ll find anywhere. Our customers really love these gutter guards in particular, and Skywalker installs more Raindrop systems than anything else.
Shur Flo is a perforated aluminum metal drop-in system that’s also designed to let water flow through while catching any small debris. It works pretty well too, and the folks at Shur Flo also like to point out that their product carries a low profile which is essentially invisible from ground level.
Another gutter guard we install at Skywalker is the Leaf Slugger system. This is is a gutter helmet system that installs right over your existing gutters, and many folks in our area like the fact that it’s produced locally in Hickory, NC. And Leaf Slugger guarantees their product will remain clog-free for a lifetime, too!
Skywalker is the name to trust for roofing services and home improvement services in both North Carolina and Virginia. We’ll install the right gutter guard for you, but that’s not all we can do. What if your gutters themselves really need to be replaced? We’ve got the specialty tools to fabricate custom seamless gutters that are a perfect fit for your roof, and we can do it right on your property!
If you’re located anywhere in the NC Piedmont Triad, NC Piedmont Triangle, Mooresville & Lake Norman, or southern Virginia region, Skywalker Windows & Siding has you covered!
Connect with us today at (336) 627-5596, and let us show you the Skywalker difference!
Luke Wilson started working on roofs with his dad when he was a teenager, and eventually launched Skywalker Roofing in 2003. Skywalker operates in 5 locations across NC & VA, and now includes windows, siding, and other exterior services. Luke also hosts the popular Roofing Mythbusters series on YouTube.
301 South Elm Streen, Ste 523, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA Call us at +1 (336) 850-0027
555 Fayetteville St, Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA Call us at +1 (919) 800-0496
257 Ram Loop Stokesdale, NC 27357, USA Call us at +1 (336) 627-5596
1518 Carlisle Ave SE, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA Call us at +1 (540) 212-7255
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