Leaf guards
Leaf guards that cut the cleaning, honestly
Guards keep leaves and debris out of your gutters so you climb the ladder less. They do not end gutter cleaning. We explain what each type does and which fits your trees and your roof.
- Perforated or fine mesh
- Cuts cleaning, not ends it
- New or existing gutters
Leaf guard over a backyard patio
The honest part
What leaf guards do, and what they do not
A guard sits over the gutter. Water gets in through the openings and leaves ride over the top. That means less debris in the trough and fewer clogs. It also means grit and small debris can still get through, and a guard can silt up over time.
No guard is maintenance-free. Expect to clear the top of it now and then, and to flush the gutter occasionally. If someone tells you otherwise, ask what happens under your trees.
- Fewer clogsLess debris reaches the gutter and the downspout.
- Less ladder timeYou clean less often. You still clean.
- Not maintenance-freeGrit builds up and the surface needs an occasional clearing.
- Heavy downpoursA guard can slow water at the edge. The gutter below still has to be sized right.
- Not a repairA guard on a sagging or undersized gutter hides the problem. Fix that first.
Two types
Perforated aluminum and fine mesh
Both are common, and we install both. Perforated aluminum is a solid sheet with small holes. Fine mesh is a screen over a frame, with much smaller openings that also stop grit.
The right one depends on your trees, your roof and how much cleaning you want to skip. Valera looks at the house and tells you which fits.
- Perforated aluminumSturdy sheet with holes. Lets water in, keeps leaves out.
- Fine meshSmaller openings stop more debris. It can still silt up.
- Next to treesA lot of leaves or debris means a guard earns its keep.
- New or existingWe install guards with new gutters or onto the gutters you have.
- FitChosen to suit the gutter and the roof.
With new gutters
The best time to add guards
Guards go on easiest with a new gutter system. The size, pitch and downspouts are right from the start, and the guard fits the gutter it was chosen for. On an existing gutter we check the condition first, because a guard cannot fix a gutter that pulls away or ponds water.
- Look at the guttersWe check size, pitch and condition before adding anything.
- Choose the typePerforated or fine mesh, based on your trees and roof.
- Install and fitThe guard is set to the gutter and fastened to hold.
- Cleaning still neededGuards cut the cleaning. They do not end it.
Recent jobs
From Valera's own jobs
Homes, builds and buildings
Who we install for
Questions
Quick answers
- Do leaf guards stop me from ever cleaning gutters?
- No. Guards cut the cleaning but they do not end it. Grit and small debris can still collect, and the top of a guard needs an occasional clearing. You climb the ladder much less, but not never.
- Which is better, perforated aluminum or fine mesh?
- Neither wins everywhere. Perforated aluminum is a sturdy sheet with holes, and fine mesh has smaller openings that stop more grit but can silt up. The right one depends on your trees and your roof.
- Can you add guards to my existing gutters?
- Yes, if the gutters are in good shape. We check size, pitch and condition first. A guard on a sagging or undersized gutter hides the problem, so we fix the gutter or replace it.
- Will guards make my gutters overflow in heavy rain?
- They can slow water at the edge in a downpour, which is why the gutter and downspouts underneath still have to be sized for the roof. We plan the whole system together.
- Are leaf guards worth it?
- If you have trees near the house and hate climbing a ladder, yes. If you have no trees nearby, a guard saves less. We tell you which it is at the estimate instead of selling you one.
Ask what a guard would do on your roof
Call Valera at (864) 800-9663 or send the form. The estimate is free, and we tell you plainly if guards are not worth it.