Cleaning the gutters isn’t exactly on anyone’s list of favorite things to do. It’s messy, it requires a lot of manual labor and can be a risk for injury. Fortunately, there is a solution to frequent gutter cleaning: gutter screens. In today’s post, local gutter and roofing company Genesis Roofing shares a look at the benefits of gutter screens.
How Do Gutter Screens Work?
Gutters are designed to catch rainwater as it falls from the roof’s edge, which means gutters are designed to have an open top. While properly-sized gutter systems efficiently catch rainwater, they also catch everything else: leaves, dirt and debris, among other things. Without regular cleaning and maintenance, gutters end up being clogged and at risk of corrosion.
Gutter screens, also known as gutter protection systems, solve this problem by filtering solid matter from the top. Good gutter screens should be fine enough that it can filter granules and other small particles, but not so fine as to block rainwater from getting in.
Types of Gutter Protection Systems
The gutter screen is one type of gutter protection system offered by gutter and roof replacement services contractors. Despite the differences in names and styles, gutter protection systems can be classified into two types:
In-Gutter — In-gutter products are installed within the gutter troughs. They look like lengths of sponge, brush, or some other porous material. They’re not as effective in stopping solid matter from getting into the gutter troughs and usually require periodic cleaning.
On-Gutter — On-gutter systems cover the top of the gutter troughs. Some designs feature solid tops that separate solid matter and rainwater at the edge. Others, like gutter screens, filter rainwater. On-gutter systems are faring more efficient than in-gutter types, and often do not require cleaning.
Benefits of Gutter Screens
Gutter screens provide two main benefits. The first is, they help maintain gutter efficiency by keeping the gutter troughs free from obstruction. This makes your gutter system more reliable in the event of an unusually heavy downpour.
Its second main benefit is it helps reduce required gutter maintenance. In addition to reducing the need for frequent gutter cleaning, it also helps prevent corrosion. Sharp twigs may scratch the protective coating and expose bare metal. Combined with moisture retained by leaves and debris in the gutters, this can result in corrosion that isn’t noticeable until it results in leaks.
Looking for a licensed roofing contractor in the area? Call Genesis Roofing at (515) 202-1667 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Clive, IA, and nearby areas.
