Keeping Your Gutters in Shape – Part 2: Gutter Protection Options

Once you’ve confirmed that your gutters were installed correctly, the next step is to learn how to protect them. Gutters will not last forever, but with proper protection, they will last quite a long time.

Gutter Protection

Gutters have two main enemies: debris and bad weather. Debris such as leaves, twigs, branches and animal nests can cause a blockage that can result in stagnant water. Extreme weather can also cause damage to the gutters, like when snow on the roof begins to melt and flows down into the gutters only to freeze again–resulting in an ice dam.

You can prevent these issues with protection options designed to increase the lifespan of your gutters:

Gutter Guards

Gutter guards are designed to protect the gutter from leaves and other debris. They are installed over the gutters to prevent damage from blockages.

Gutter Heaters

Gutter heaters are innovative devices that prevent ice dams, which are formed when snow on the roof begins to thaw, before refreezing again at the bottom of your roof. Gutter heaters require professional installation, but once properly installed, you no longer need to worry about ice dams forming and causing severe damage to your gutters.  

In the next post, we’ll give you some maintenance tips that can help extend the lifespan of your gutters. Stay tuned!