Let’s start by understanding a bit more about how roofs work. One of the main ways that a roof protects your home or business is by collecting rain and other precipitation. All this water then needs to go somewhere, so most roofs are equipped with gutters and downspouts which help conduct the flow of water away from your structure. When everything is flowing properly, it’s really a beautiful system!
However, all it takes is some built-up debris to lead to a system breakdown, and leaves and other debris have a natural knack of finding their way into your gutters. If your gutters get clogged, all that water starts to back up, which can lead to all sorts of headaches and real damage to your roof and to your home or business.
Unless you live in a truly wide-open space (think desert), your gutters will eventually pick up some leaves and other debris. Even if there aren’t any trees near your house, all it takes is one hurricane or other powerful storm to plant some debris in your gutters. If you live anywhere in North Carolina or Virginia, you know the struggle is real. So once your gutter starts to get clogged, you basically have two options:
If you don’t know how they work, gutter guards are attached over your gutter system itself, and they’re designed to prevent leaves or debris from accumulating while still allowing water to flow through. Neat, huh? There are several gutter guard designs available on the market, but the most popular include some sort of screen material, or a helmet cover design. Most gutter guards are either made of metal or vinyl.
In a word … YES! There are many benefits that come from choosing to install gutter guards, including the following:
Climbing a ladder and having to fish out debris from your gutters by hand just isn’t a fun chore. Even with power tools like blowers or pressure washers, cleaning out gutters is still messy, and can lead to serious injury if you take a tumble off the ladder or off your roof. Yes, you could pay someone to do it a few times a year, but why go through that hassle when you don’t have to? Gutter guards can save you both time and money in the long run.
When it comes to gutters, it isn’t just about flowing water concerns; there can be ice concerns, too. If the gutter is clogged, all that water can turn to expanding ice in the winter, leading to the formation of ice dams and potentially-dangerous overhanging icicles. Gutter guards help keep the water moving, so there’s much less concern about ice worries in and around your gutters.
Birdwatching can be fun, and some rodents like squirrels and chipmunks are cute to observe from a distance – but you really don’t want either nesting in your gutters. These nests can create some serious blockages in your gutter system. The solution? Install a sturdy gutter guard which will prevent those pests from ever gaining access to your gutters in the first place!
During the dry season, any leaves, twigs, and other organic matter that’s accumulated in your gutters can be dangerous in other ways. All that dry kindling is just one spark away from turning the edge of your roof into a roaring fire! You won’t have to take that risk if you have a proper gutter guard in place, because none of that combustible material will ever collect in your gutters in the first place!
Without gutter guards in place, your gutters are prone to having standing water for long periods of time. All this persistent moisture leads to rust or corrosion which can ultimately shorten the life of your gutters. Gutter guards help to protect and prolong your gutter, roof, and home investment!
There are several gutter guard products on the market, but here are three products with a proven track record of performance:
Shur Flo is a perforated aluminum drop-in for your gutters that lets water flow easily through its patented filtration system. Any small debris that does collect on top will simply blow away with the wind. Shur Flo carries a low profile, and is essentially invisible from a ground-level point of view.
Raindrop is another drop-in gutter guard, but it’s made with heavy-duty vinyl and features a patented lattice grid screen. Raindrop Systems conduct more water than traditional screens or mesh, and they’re really made to last. Raindrop carries a 20-year manufacturer warranty, one of the best in the industry.
Made right down the road in Hickory, NC, Leaf Slugger is a gutter helmet system fabricated with the thickest aluminum in the gutter guard industry. Leaf Slugger installs right over your existing gutters, is available in many colors, and comes with a patented Speed Channel Hood and Speed Bracket System that delivers unparalleled performance. And unlike most other gutter guards, Leaf Slugger also includes a LIFETIME clog-free guarantee!
Skywalker is a name you can trust. We got our start by offering comprehensive roofing services (which we still provide!), and we really are the roofing experts in the NC Piedmont Triad, Triangle, Charlotte Metro, and Roanoke, VA areas. WE custom fabricate and install the best in seamless gutters, and we have all the tools, experience, and know-how to take care of your gutter guard installation too. We stand behind all of our products and services, we honor all manufacturer warranties, and we also provide our own workmanship warranty. Nobody takes better care of your gutter & gutter guard needs than Skywalker. We also provide windows, siding, and other home improvement services! Reach out to us today, 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
Sign up to be a Skywalker Insider! Be the first to learn about new home improvement innovations & trends, as well as what Skywalker’s up to in terms of helping our local community. Enter your email to stay in-the-know about all things Skywalker!
Book your appointment now & get a free Estimate.