Do Gutter Guards Work With Existing Gutters?

Gutters are a necessity for every homeowner, particularly if you live in a windy, rainy climate. Leaves and debris that enter your gutter can cause sagging, clogs, and expensive damage. Gutter guards are a way to get around expensive gutter maintenance. So, do gutter guards work with existing gutters?

Gutter guards work with existing gutters and you can install them by sliding them over your gutters. Professional gutter guard installation costs $1,400 on average, and DIY installation costs as little as $250. You need to clean your gutters at least every 2 years if you have gutter guards.

Otherwise, you would need to clean your gutters twice per year so they don’t clog with debris and sag. Gutter guards are a great investment, especially if you pick one that features fine mesh. Follow along as we explore how gutter guards work with existing gutters and see why they’re worth the cost.

You can add gutter guards to most existing gutters without a problem. Gutter guards work with existing gutters and you can simply slide them into place. The average homeowner can install gutter guards without professional help because of the simple process.

However, many homeowners hire a professional to install gutter guards because it is dangerous to work on a roof. Gutter guards can protect your existing gutters and even potentially extend their lifespan. They also make it much easier to maintain your gutters which can save you time and money.

You only need to clean your gutters every 2 years on average if you have gutter guards. Unprotected gutters require you to clean them twice per year depending on your climate and what trees you have around.

Fine mesh gutter guards can withstand heavy rain the best. However, any gutter guard can suffer damage due to extreme rain and natural disasters. A guard can still protect your gutters during extreme weather and heavy rain, but there is no guarantee that one will always work.

Rain that continues to flow for hours can sometimes get backed up if you have gutter guards. Gutter guards can get clogged with debris that can stop water from flowing properly. This can disrupt the function of your gutters and cause damage depending on the severity of the rain.

Make sure to clean your gutter guards and gutters every 2 years or sooner if necessary. The accumulation of all the debris and moisture can weigh down on the gutters. They can eventually sag and potentially break at weak points.

Gutter guards cost an average of $5.25 per foot depending on which material you choose. It can cost as much as $1,400 or more to install a gutter guard in some cases. Homeowners spend at least $900 to install the average gutter guard system on a large home.

DIY gutter guard installation can cost less than $250 in supply costs depending on the material and supplier. Labor is the biggest gutter guard cost factor when you hire a professional. It can take 6 hours or more to install gutter guards on a large home. Smaller homes take less time, but you will still pay $5-$12 per linear foot in labor costs alone when you hire a professional.

You can save money with cheap a cheap material like foam which can cost less than $3 per linear foot. However, you will also need to replace foam gutter guards every 2-4 years which isn’t worth the cost for many homeowners. DIY gutter guard installation is worth it because it is easy and can save you hundreds of dollars.

Gutter guards can increase the water flow in your gutters which is critical to their health. Leaves and debris slow down the flow of water which can eventually cause a clog. Freely flowing water is important and can protect your landscaping.

Water can damage your landscape if too much spills out from random points of your gutters. Gutters are meant to direct water to a certain point so the soil at certain points around your home doesn’t erode. Healthy water flow can prevent pooling in the landscaping around your home.

Water that pools in your landscape can eventually damage your foundation depending on its location. Foundation protection is one of the most important benefits of gutters, and guards help ensure there are no problems.

Gutter guards can help keep rodents out of your house which is easily worth the cost. Rodents and lizards can travel through your gutters and eventually enter their home through a weak point. They can leave droppings behind in your gutters which will make them harder and grosser to clean.

Some guards can even keep most bugs out of your gutter, but it’s nearly impossible to prevent small bugs from entering. Animals like birds that can lay eggs or rodents that can give birth in a gutter are particularly harmful. Some homeowners install gutter guards specifically to keep rodents and pests out and it’s an effective method.

Fine mesh is the best material for gutter guards because it can keep debris and pests out. The holes in fine mesh gutter guards are so tiny that even small bugs will struggle to get into your gutters. Also known as micro-mesh, they easily slide over gutters like any guard but with better results.

You still need to clean your fine mesh gutter guards so that they continue to work effectively. Clean the mesh guards each time that you clean your gutter for the best results. However, you should check your gutter guard and clean it before then if you notice that the flow of water has slowed down.

Foam is the worst material for gutter guards because it cannot withstand too much rainfall. The water eventually weakens foam and breaks it down until it can no longer work well. It is only a good temporary option because of how cheap it is, but foam gutter guards rarely last longer than 2 years.

Gutter guards work with existing gutters and you can easily slide them in. It costs an average of $1,400 to install gutter gutters if you hire a professional. Foam is the cheapest gutter guard material but not a great investment because it only lasts 2 years.

Many homeowners find it worth the cost because gutter guards can help prevent sagging and soil erosion. You only need to clean gutters with gutter guards every 2 years unless they become clogged before then. Standard unprotected gutters need to be cleaned up to twice a year or more in some cases.

Gutter guards keep leaves, rodents, birds, and some insects out of your gutters. Fine mesh gutter guards are the best option because it is difficult for debris to slip past them.