A Leafy Problem: Keeping Gutters Free of Debris
If your home is surrounded by trees that do a great job of keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, chances are you need to keep your gutters clean, which can be an ongoing chore in some homes.
Native evergreens still lose their leaves, and do so all year-round, while deciduous trees tend to pose a problem only during the cooler months when they shed their marvellous spectrum of yellow, red and brown leaves.
Failing to keep gutters, and particularly drainpipes, free of leaves can cause havoc around the home and even flooding if the problem isn’t identified early enough. A leaking, broken gutter or downpipe can also cause structural damage if left unchecked. Mould can grow unseen, damaging not only your ceilings and walls but creating a potential health hazard.
Every gutter and drainpipe needs gutter guards of some kind. There are a number of commercial solutions available for installation when a home is being built that can be costly, but ultimately worth the effort. There are also simple designs that a handyman can make from a few multi-purpose tools and materials available at any hardware store.
The solution you choose should not only take into account your budget, but how much time you have for home maintenance. Debris will inevitably fall into your gutters, so while a gutter guard won’t eliminate the need to maintain your gutters, it can ease the burden of checking and cleaning.
Full mesh – This is a full guard that attaches to your roof or can be manufactured and installed with a new gutter. A mesh guard allows the water to penetrate small holes in a covering, while the leaves remain on the top of the guard or on a sloped guard, falling to the ground. A mesh guard still needs to be checked at least once a year.
Foam sponge – A giant sponge that runs through the gutter that allows water to penetrate but leaves and sticks to sit on top of the gutter.
Bottle brush – This solution acts similarly to the sponge but can be messy and time consuming to clean if you have trees with small foliage.
Drainpipe guards – This is the simplest and most cost-efficient solution for existing gutters without guards. Drainpipe guards can easily be installed by a home handy man and there are many home maintenance video tutorials online. Your gutters will need frequent checking, but the cost savings can be significant if there are other priorities you need to address in your home.
If you’re looking to build or are in the process of building, consider your options carefully. The right gutters can be the best investment you make in safeguarding your home from damage.
Got a tip for keeping gutters clean? Share it on our Facebook page.