Gutter Guard Installation Guide for Triad Homeowners

The gutters ringing your Triad home’s roof serve an important function, funneling rainwater and debris away from the roof toward the ground. Unfortunately, that same debris can gradually clog up your gutters over time. Even worse, water can turn to ice, preventing your gutters from functioning at all!

But there’s a solution you can implement by yourself or with the help of experts: gutter guards.

The importance of installing gutter guards for roof protection

As their name suggests, gutter guards shield your gutters by acting as physical blocks against leaves, ice, pine needles, and any other debris that might normally get into your gutters and stop them from functioning properly. These are crucial add-ons to your home’s gutter system for one big reason: gutter damage.

If left unchecked, debris, ice, and other blockages can build up over time. Not only will this stop your gutters from funneling water off your roof as intended, but it’ll make your gutters so heavy that they might break and fall over time. You can imagine the damage to your wallet. Plus, broken gutters ruin the curb appeal of your house and are dangerous hazards to watch out for.

On top of that, improperly functioning gutters could leave your North Carolina home more vulnerable to water damage. Water might leak through the top of your roof or pool on the ground near the foundation, causing foundation cracks, soil erosion, and more.

Bottom line: if your home has gutters, odds are it needs gutter guards, too. While gutter guards don’t completely save you from having to clean your gutters from time to time, they’ll do a wonderful job of keeping your gutters relatively clear between maintenance. With efficient gutter guard installation, you can be sure your Triad home is kept safe and secure from damage.

Choosing the best type of gutter guards for your home

On the plus side, there are many different types of gutter guards you can use to protect your home. These include:

• Brush gutter guards, which feature stiff bristles and sit inside your gutters. The bristles point up to intercept debris like big leaves. Unfortunately, smaller debris like pine needles can get past these gutter guards.
• Foam gutter guards, which sit inside your gutters as well. Water flows through them and your gutters while the guard prevents other debris from progressing, although smaller debris can still make it past from time to time.
• Screening gutter guards. Unlike the previous two gutter leaf guard types, screen gutter guards sit on top of your gutters and have small slots where water can flow through while blocking debris. They slide beneath the first row of roof shingles or attach to the gutters with clips. Only the smallest debris gets past most screen gutter guards.
• Micro-mesh gutter guards. These are similar to screen gutter guards but have much smaller holes. As a result, practically no debris ever gets through. Micro-mesh material is also durable and easy to clean for added benefits.
• Reverse curve gutter guards. These require professional installation, but they could be well worth the cost. They extend over your gutters and curve around, funneling water into the gutters while forcing any solid debris to roll out and to the ground.

Not sure which gutter guard to choose? Think about the kind of debris you see pile up in your gutters over time.

For instance, in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, pine needles and other leaves are common gutter hazards. Perforated gutter guards, like the Leaf Relief Classic Gutter Guards, are ideal for homes in this area – it’s a no-brainer!

How much do gutter guards cost?

That depends on the gutters you choose to use. Generally, DIY gutter guards like brush, foam, and screen gutter guards are cheaper since you don’t have to pay for expert labor. On the other hand, micro-mesh and reverse curve gutter guards are more expensive by virtue of needing professional installation.

Micro-mesh gutter guards are also made more expensive by the quality and longevity of their materials. Screen gutter guards, while tough, use cost-effective aluminum in most cases.

On average, expect to spend several hundred dollars for a full set of gutter guards around your Triad home at minimum. If you’re not sure what to expect, contact gutter guard installation experts and ask for a free quote.

How to install gutter guards step-by-step

Looking to save a little cash and flex your handyman skills? Before you begin, make sure you have all the materials you need to get the job done. At a minimum, you'll need:

• A sturdy ladder
• Tape measure
• A screwdriver
• A set of tin snips or another cutting device
• A hammer
• Protective gloves

Then, read your gutters’ instruction manual for any other tools or devices you might need to succeed.

Step 1 – Clean your gutters

Your first step to installing any set of gutter guards is one you might have already done before: cleaning the gutters themselves. It won’t do you any good to put gutter guards over channels that are already clogged with debris. So, take a brush or pipe and start purging those gutters of gunk!

Test your gutters with water

If you’re not sure whether your gutters are ready for guards, (carefully) wind your garden hose up to the top of your ladder and run some water through the system. If it all comes out smoothly, you’ve cleaned the gutters well enough.

If your gutters are cleaned, but they’re uneven, broken, or otherwise unstable and water doesn’t make it all the way down them, it’s best not to risk adding extra weight with gutter guards. It’s much wiser to install new gutters first. Opt for long-lasting, durable aluminum gutters before looking to protect them from clogs and ice.

Step 2 – Measure and cut your gutter guards

Now it’s time to cut the gutter guard pieces you’ll use to shield your gutters against future clogs and jams.

Most gutter guards come in large slats or pieces. Take your tape measure and determine how long of a piece you need to cover the first section of gutters. Then take a permanent marker and mark that length on the gutter piece itself. Use a Dremel or tin snips to cut through the guard at the marked location.

Step 3 – Lay the first piece of gutter guard carefully

Have your first piece of gutter guard ready to go? Haul it up the ladder, taking care not to drop the gutter guard along the way. Then lay that piece of guard within or on top of your gutter according to the instruction manual.

Most gutter guards rest their front edges on the front lip of a gutter pipe – the “front” is the side pointing away from your home or toward the yard.

Step 4 – Secure the gutter leaf guard piece

Next, use screws, fasteners, or other securing pieces to attach the gutter leaf guard to your roof. Go slowly – the first piece you secure to your roof will set the level and angle of the other gutter guard pieces to come.

Step 5 – Repeat for other gutter guard pieces

Now all that’s left is to repeat that process over and over until all of your gutters are properly protected. Depending on the size of your house, this can easily become an all-day or even all-weekend job, so be sure to plan enough time in your schedule to finish up.

Always follow all manufacturer instructions for gutter guard installation

No matter which gutter guards you choose to install, one tip remains universal: follow the instruction booklet that comes with your purchase! Each set of gutter guards is unique. As one example, a set of screen gutter guards might be installed beneath your roof's shingles. Or it might use fasteners that connect gutters and guards together.

The only way you’ll know is to read the instructions carefully. Be a responsible homeowner and keep yourself safe by following those instructions to the letter.

Want to double down on safety? It might be a good idea to contact a professional at Window World of the Triad for gutter guard installation, even if you did purchase a cost-effective or affordable set. That way, you can rest assured knowing your gutter guards are installed perfectly, plus avoid breaching your roof warranty.

Window World of the Triad is ready and waiting for your call. Whether you already have gutters you want to use or are looking for new gutters offering top-notch protection like the Leaf Relief DuoPro Gutters, we’re sure we can help. Contact us today!