A properly functioning rain gutter system is essential for any roof system. When a rain gutter system becomes clogged, rusted, or pulls loose from the side of the roof, it either lets water accumulate on the roof, shortening the lifespan of the shingles, or else it runs down the side of the home causing the fascia to rot, staining the siding, and possibly damaging the home’s foundation. Choosing an aluminum rain gutter system eliminates the risk of rust. Keeping the rain gutter securely fastened will keep them from pulling loose. But there’s only so much you can do to keep debris from clogging them. One solution that’s becoming more popular is rain gutter guards, a mesh-like covering that keeps the majority of debris from getting into the gutters. But even that solution isn’t perfect.

The problem with rain gutter guards

While rain gutter guards do block the majority of debris, seeds, dirt, shingle granules, and other tiny particles do get through. So while you won’t have to clean out your gutters as often, you will still need to do it from time to time—at least once or twice a year depending on how many trees are near your home.

The real setback to rain gutter guards is that they make the process of cleaning out your gutters a little more difficult because the guards will need to be removed first. So there’s a tradeoff of the gutter cleaning process taking longer, but not needing to be done as often.

If you do decide to have rain gutter guards installed, you should probably plan to have a professional rain gutter cleaning service take care of the maintenance as they know how to properly remove the guards and reinstall them safely.

Different types of rain gutter guards

Not all rain gutter guards are creating equal. A lower grade gutter guard will cost about five dollars per foot and will resemble chicken wire. It doesn’t keep out debris as well and it can overflow during a heavy rain. It’s also susceptible to rust. For 18 to 20 dollars per foot, you can get a micro-mesh surgical stainless steel gutter guard that will keep out more debris and will prevent overflow. In the end, rain gutter guards can be a great solution, especially if your home is surrounded by tall trees but it could also be more of a headache than it’s worth.

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Source: newsobserver .com/living/home-garden/article41526849.html