Cleaning out your gutters can be a lengthy and annoying process. There are a few things you can do, however, that will make this process occur a lot less often. Gutters need to be sheltered from leaves and other debris that can clog them up and prevent them from draining correctly. Here are a few options for gutter protection that you should invest in.
Solid covers - They work well. A solid gutter cover fits inside the gutter itself, allowing only water to flow into the gutter from the sides. Leaves and other types of debris will not be able to enter the gutter and will fall off the sides of it. We really recommend this type of protection.
Mesh or Screen covers - These covers are caulked inside of the gutter. Anything small enough to fit through the mesh will fall through into the gutter. This should keep leaves and large debris out. This is probably one of the most cost-efficient ways to protect your gutter.
Gutter filters - Similar to foam, this type of protections allows only water to enter the gutter while leaves and debris flow over the top or blow away once dried. They are installed directly on top of the gutter.
Shingle Gutter Guards - There are two types:
1. Beneath-shingle gutter guards - These handy little additions are installed right underneath your home's shingles. They are a little more expensive than the previous two options, but they are very durable. There is a little maintenance involved with them, but other than that, they are very effective at keeping debris and leaves out of your gutters.
2. Shingle guards that attach to the top of the shingle - These lay flat on top of the gutter and shingle. They can either be hinged or locked on so that they do not shift. They are probably the most difficult to install out of all the options, but they are very effective and make clean up very easy. You just flip the cover open and clean out the gutter when necessary.
So that's it, a little installation and gutter cleaning is now a lot easier for you!