Gutters are a good upgrade to add to any roof. The main concern with gutters is keeping them free of debris so that they do their job properly.
Gutter Debris Issues
Gutters are designed to route roof water safely to the ground so it doesn't damage the eaves or collect near the foundation. Unfortunately, more than water can flow into the gutters. Leaves and twigs that fall on the roof will usually end up in the gutter. Wind can blow in further debris.
With enough debris, the gutters become clogged and overflow. Some of the debris may also end up in the downspouts, which are more difficult to clean up. Further, the weight of the debris in the gutter can cause them to sag or develop leaks. Debris-clogged gutters may also lead to ice dams in the winter, as melting snow backflows under the shingles at the site of the clogged gutter.
Guard Benefits
A gutter guard is a device that is installed over the top of the gutter troughs. It's designed so that water can still flow into the gutters but debris is kept out. The biggest benefit is that your gutter and downspouts will no longer be compacted full of leaves and other debris.
Gutter guards aren't maintenance-free, but they are easier and safer to maintain compared to uncovered gutters. Traditionally, you would need to get on top of a ladder a couple of times a year to manually scoop debris from the gutter and blow out the downspouts, or you would need to pay someone to do so. Guarded gutters can collect some debris on top of the guard, but this can be rinsed with a hose or brushed off with a deck broom without the need for a ladder.
Options
There are a few different styles of gutter guards. The most recognized type is the mesh style, which has a mesh-line grate that sits on top of the gutter. These are a bit more prone to leaves getting stuck to the surface, but they otherwise work well. Similar are reverse curve guards, which fit over the gutter so only a slit remains open for water to flow into. Some debris will make its way through, though, and the style can inhibit flow into the gutter when the flow rate is high.
Brush and foam guards are just as they sound. Either a long brush or a long foam insert is placed inside the gutter. These keep out quite a bit of debris, but they must be removed periodically to be rinsed clean. This is still easier than scooping debris out of a gutter.
Contact a gutter guard installation service if you would like to learn more about upgrading your gutters for easier maintenance.
