Why Gutter Guards Are a Smart Investment for Your Roof and Home
When it comes to protecting your home, security systems, high-quality locks, or motion sensor lights may come to mind first. While these are all important home safety features, there's one element that often goes unnoticed yet plays an important role in maintaining your home's health: your gutter system.
How Gutter Guards Work
Before we can dive into the importance of gutter guards, we must first understand the role gutters play in home protection. When it rains, your gutters are the first line of defense protecting your home by safely channeling rainwater away from your home.Gutters are installed along the edge of your roof and direct rainwater away from your home to prevent water from pooling around your home. If debris blocks your gutters, you increase your risk for water leaks, mold growth, foundation damage and more.
Gutter guards are installed on or in your gutters and serve as a filter. Many different types of gutter guards exist but they all serve a similar function of allowing water to easily flow through the gutter system while keeping out debris that could cause a blockage.
Benefits of Gutter Guards
One of the great things about installing gutter guards is that they will help save you money both now and in the years to come. One of the most obvious perks is the reduced need for regular gutter cleanings. No more scaling ladders or paying for professional cleanings every few months. With gutter guards in place, you'll notice a cleaner, more efficient gutter system year-round.
The long term benefits of gutter guards are even more impressive. By reducing your odds of structural damage to your roof, walls and foundation, you’ll save money. Check out your potential savings with a gutter guard system:
Gutter Cleanings: If you schedule gutter cleaning services twice a year as recommended by the pros, you could be spending hundreds of dollars on gutter maintenance.
Estimated savings: $200 - $500 annually
Foundation Repair: If your gutters are clogged, they can’t perform. Overflowing rainwater will seep into the ground around your home and, over time, lead to foundation issues. Repairing foundation issues can cost thousands of dollars.
Estimated savings: $2,300 to $10,000+
Flooded Basements: Undirected water will often find its way into basements, causing damage to walls, furniture, appliances, etc. If this happens, you must first pump out any standing water before beginning repairs.
Estimated savings: $2,000 to $7,000+
Exterior Damage: Water seeping down the side of your home can cause the paint on the exterior of your home to peel as well as the wood to dry rot. Regardless of the extent of the damage, painting services and lumber replacement is not cheap.
Estimated savings:
$1,800 - $13,000 to repaint the exterior
$1,000 - $12,000 to repair siding dry rot
Mildew and Mold: If water infiltrates your attic, basement, or roofline, mold can grow quickly. Mold and mildew pose health risks to those living inside the home and are costly to eliminate.
Estimated savings: $1,125 to $3,439
Roof repairs or replacement: If water cannot drain off of your roof, you may find yourself with a roof leak. The leak may not be obvious until it has caused significant damage inside your home. In addition, the lifespan of your roof will decrease due to water damage, rot, and mold and you may end up prematurely replacing your roof due to the damage.
$379 - $1,758 for a roof repair
$8,000 - $20,000 for a roof replacement
Professional Installation vs. DIY
When it comes to installing gutter guards, you have the option to hire a professional or take the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach.
Homeowners who choose professional installation will have peace of mind that the gutter guards were properly installed. The pros can also identify any pre-existing issues with your gutter system and address them. The main benefit of professional installation is often a warranty that gives you peace of mind that your money was well spent.
DIY installation may appeal to those who have home improvement skills. The main draw to this installation method is that you will save money on labor cost. The risk with installing your own gutter guards is that any minor mistakes can decrease their performance. If you aren’t familiar with your existing gutter system, you also risk damaging it in the process.
Elite Roofing and Restoration: Your Trusted Source for Gutter Systems
If your gutter system needs attention, or you’ve decided to invest in gutter guards, our team at Elite Roofing and Restoration is here to help. Whether you're ready to look at our selection of gutters and gutter guards, or you have some lingering questions about investing in gutter guards, our team is happy to assist!
Elite Roofing and Restoration is your source for quality roof repair and replacement.
In addition to roof replacements and repairs, both commercial and residential, we offer a considerable list of additional home repair services to assist you with any general construction needs you may have.
Contact us today to schedule your no-hassle, complimentary roof inspection today.
