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K-Guard Kansas City Blog

4 Reasons Why Gutter Screens Are a Waste of Money

Clogged Gutter Screen - K-Guard Heartland

Raise your hand if you’re sick and tired of cleaning your gutters. We’re assuming you’re like most homeowners who dread cleaning their gutters a few times a year and we don’t blame you. First, you have to lug around a heavy ladder, climb the ladder (hello, fear of heights), touch some pretty gross things, and carry around a heavy bucket full of debris. It’s a downright nuisance.

Some homeowners want their gutters protected from debris and opt for options like gutter screens and filters and covers. While some gutter screens can keep larger debris out, there are some drawbacks to having them installed on your existing gutter system. Keep reading to learn 4 reasons why gutter screens are a waste of money.

 

What are Gutter Screens?

Let’s start by explaining what gutter screens are and how they’re installed.  A gutter screen is a thin piece of mesh with small openings, similar to a window screen. Gutter screens are installed directly on top of a half-round gutter system and function to keep larger debris out of the gutter system. 

Unlike most gutter systems, gutter screens are usually installed by homeowners and gutter installation professionals aren’t always necessary. Of course, with any DIY project, the risk for error is pretty high and they can be installed incorrectly resulting in damage to your home’s gutter system, roof, soffit and fascia boards, and siding.

 

Why are Gutter Screens a Waste of Money?

While gutter screens do keep larger debris like leaves and sticks out of the gutter system, they don’t offer complete protection from debris. There are several reasons why they may not be a great option:

 

1. They don’t eliminate all debris from entering the gutter system

Because gutter screens have small openings, smaller debris can slip right through the tiny holes. The result? Clogs are still able to form resulting in possible overflowing gutters, sagging, and damage to the home’s soffit and fascia boards. Smaller debris like seeds, roof debris, and small insects can still enter the gutters and downspouts, collecting overtime and creating clogs.  

When seeds do slip through the tiny openings in gutter screens, things will grow inside of the gutters. What exactly do we mean? All it takes for weeds and trees to grow is a seed, soil, water, and sunlight. All of these are readily available in a gutter system with gutter screens installed. Homes with gutter screens often have little trees sprouting from their gutters, creating an eyesore for neighbors and potential homebuyers.

 

2. They can impede water flow

Gutter screens can still cause gutter systems to clog, therefore impeding water flow. As we just mentioned, seeds and smaller debris can slip through the small holes in gutter screens, collecting overtime and creating clogs. These clogs make it impossible for all water from the roof to enter the gutter system, forcing the water to overflow and causing all sorts of issues like foundation damage and basement flooding.

 

3. They create a “shelf” for debris

Another downfall to gutter screens? Because they are screens that sit directly on top of a half-round gutter system, they act as a shelf for debris. Although larger debris doesn’t enter the gutter screen, it can sit on top of it and collect. While leaves and twigs don’t weigh much individually when they accumulate and mix with water they can become very heavy. The weight of damp leaves and twigs can lead to the gutter system sagging and pulling away from the home.

 

4. They can void your roof’s warranty

If your roof is still under warranty, the last thing you’ll want to do is install gutter screens. Depending on your roof warranty coverage can save you thousands of dollars, especially if extensive damage occurs to your roof. Installing gutter screens can not only damage shingles depending on the installation but if installed incorrectly can void that roof warranty.

 

How is K-Guard Better than Gutter Screens?

K-Guard is the premier gutter installation company in the Heartland, eliminating clogged gutters and drainage issues forever. K-Guard was invented to eliminate all problems that can result from half-round gutters, gutter screens, and gutter filters. Our gutter product is a full system that has many components that work together to eliminate clogs, overflowing gutters, sagging, foundation damage, and other damage that can occur as a result of a faulty gutter system. 

Unlike gutter screens, the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System has a curved hood, gutter, and downspouts all in one seamless product. Our curved hood allows large debris like leaves and twigs as well as smaller debris like seeds to simply slide off. Only water adheres to our curved hood and enters the system through a narrow opening, eliminating all debris from entering the system or collecting on top of the gutter. The K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System keeps all seeds and soil out so nothing can grow inside unlike gutter screens. Our gutter system will also never void your roof’s warranty so you can remain protected for the duration of your warranty. 

While gutter screens may seem like a good idea, in theory, they don’t offer complete protection against clogs, overflows, and foundation damage. The K-Guard Gutter System is the most durable and effective gutter system available on the market. Schedule your free in-home estimate today! We offer our gutter installation service to homeowners across both Missouri and Kansas including, but not limited to, the following locations: Kansas City, Overland Park, Topeka, Olathe, Shawnee, Independence, Lenexa, and Lee’s Summit.

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