Do Foam Gutter Guards Work? (Find Out Now!)

Heather Robbins
by Heather Robbins

Gutter cleaning is a time-consuming and often risky task. When you have to climb up on a ladder to clean your gutters regularly, you put yourself in danger of falling and injuring yourself. Gutter guards keep gutters from becoming clogged, deter unpleasant creatures from breeding inside.

Foam gutter guards are not the ideal type of gutter guard as they pose significant issues such as plant life getting stuck. These guards are very hard to clean and tend to lose their shape over a short amount of time which makes it hard for them to fit on the gutter.

In this article, we will discuss the points on foam gutter guards, and explain why they are not ideal. This will help avoid any potential issues so you know to get a different type of guard beforehand.

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Foam Gutter Guards

Gutter guards made of foam are simple to install. The primary idea behind this design is to keep leaves, twigs, and other undesired debris out of the gutter. They employ a material that looks like a sponge-like block or foam to protect the gutter.

The wedges are typically trapezoidal and come in strips up to 8 feet long and 5″ wide. Rainwater should be able to pass through it, but trash and other objects should stay on top of the foam inserts.

Foam Gutter Guards Can Become An Issue

However, foam gutter guards might cause major problems. For example, after the foam has accumulated enough material, it can become blocked, allowing water to travel through and onto the ground.

In addition, moss and algae can form on your gutters if any organic debris is mixed with water, resulting in an ugly mess.

Issues Foam Gutter Guards Cause

  • Plants pose issues. Plants trapped in your gutters can add to their weight, causing them to sag and slide away from your home.
  • You need to wash them. Every year, expect to remove the wedges and wash them with an algaecide that is safe for the environment.
  • Pose a water damage risk. Water damage to your windows, siding, foundation, and roof can be avoided with a well-designed gutter system.

When it comes to maintaining your gutters in good shape, regular maintenance and cleaning are required. Gutter guards make these duties easier by reducing the amount of trash that gets into the gutters and increasing water flow.

Are Foam Gutter Guards Worth It?

Foam gutter guards are triangular, arch-shaped pieces of foam that fit inside gutters. As water travels over the foam, leaves, twigs, and other debris are caught, keeping them from entering the gutters. This style of the gutter cover is popular since it is simple to install.

The porous material, on the other hand, can easily become clogged with roofing debris, slowing water flow. Gutter foams that are damp and clogged with debris can attract pests such as ants and mosquitoes.

It’s also tough to keep these gutter guards clean. You’d have to take them out of the gutters and clean, rinse, and disinfect them manually.

Also, because they have lost their shape and no longer fit the gutters, gutter sponges tend to stop working effectively when reinserted. They’re vulnerable to the damaging effects of ultraviolet light, so they’ll probably come apart in a few years.

Pros Of Foam Gutter Guards

  • Easy Installation: Foam gutter guards are extremely simple to install. They take up space inside the gutter, making it impossible for debris to enter.
  • They serve a purpose: While they prevent the garbage from entering the gutters, they nonetheless allow water to flow freely around them. You should no longer need to clean your gutters from a ladder once these are installed.

Cons Of Foam Gutter Guards

  • They are expensive: If you want to install foam gutter guards in your gutters, you will pay more than you would for other types of gutter guards.
  • Too soft: Foam gutter guards are softer than other materials, and as a result, they can be destroyed in some situations.

Do Gutter Guards Work?

Twigs, dirt, roof runoff, and other outside debris end up in your gutters. Your gutters will fill with heavy muck if you don’t clean or guard them regularly, which can cause catastrophic harm if left uncontrolled.

Gutters are an investment that protects your property by channeling rain away from it, but they won’t operate as well as they should if they’re clogged.

Furthermore, excessive obstruction might cause your gutters to bend or, worse, separate from your roof. Gutter guards are one way to keep your home safe from the elements. Do gutter guards, on the other hand, work?

The answer isn’t easy, and there are benefits and drawbacks—experts agree that leaf gutter guards don’t give flawless protection against clothing, but they do reduce annual maintenance significantly. Let’s look at how they function and whether they’re appropriate for your home.

How Do Gutter Guards Work?

Gutter guards, also known as gutter screens, helmets, or caps, are installed over the tops of your gutters to keep leaves, twigs, and other debris out while allowing water to run efficiently away from your home.

These protectors should, in theory, save you time and money in the long term by lowering maintenance expenses.

Gutter guards can be a useful tool if installed and maintained properly, but they are not without risk. It’s vital to keep in mind that gutter guards don’t give 100% protection against all debris. They do, however, assist you in reducing annual upkeep, cleaning, and maintenance.

Do You Need Roofing, Siding, or Gutter Installers?

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Related Questions

Is there a downside to gutter guards?

When you employ gutter guards, you’ll discover that they don’t do much to keep debris off your roof over time.Gutter guards, in the worst-case situation, might cause irreversible roof damage, costing thousands of dollars to repair. Instead of saving you money, this ‘trick’ or shortcut to a clean roof could cost you one.


How long do foam gutter guards last?

Gutter guards made of sponge or foam often last about 1-2 years, making them an expensive solution for gutter protection.Oils and tar from your roof are also attracted to and retained by them. These oils accumulate in the foam’s cellular walls, eventually converting the foam into a solid.


Do you need to clean your gutters if you have gutter guards?

When the material mounts up, a gutter screen or cover may make it more difficult to view. You’ll need to clean the tops of your gutter guards throughout the year to ensure that water continues to run into your gutters, as well as remove and clean any debris that finds its way into your gutters.

Heather Robbins
Heather Robbins

Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.

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