Home care and maintenance probably take up a lot of your time on weekends. While vacuuming the house and cleaning the kitchen is fairly common, other things around the house may be overlooked, like drains and gutters. That is where gutter guards can help. Gutter guards are tools that prevent debris from entering the rain gutters, thereby reducing the amount of gutter cleaning and saving you money in the long term.

How much do gutter guards cost?
Gutter guards (also known as gutter helmets, screens, or covers) can cost anywhere between $0.50 and $10 per foot, depending on the type and material used. For an average house with 200 feet of gutters, the guards may cost between $100 and $2,000, not inclusive of installation and maintenance charges.

Types of gutter guards
Gutter guards can be made of materials like aluminum, steel, copper, plastic/vinyl, foam, and polypropylene brush. Here are the five common types:

Micro-mesh gutter guards: Micro-mesh or fine-mesh guards are the most effective guards as they allow water to flow through while blocking the smallest debris. They are highly recommended tools to protect your drains and often require professional assistance for installation. However, these can be quite tough to clean. Gutter Guards America is the most popular manufacturer of this type of guard.

Gutter screens: Screen guards are an affordable option for protecting gutters. They resemble mesh guards, with the sole difference being that the holes are bigger. The size may depend on the manufacturer and the foliage in your area. An upside to using gutter screens is that they are easier to clean as all you need is a power hose. However, small debris and insects may find a way into your gutter system through the holes in the guard.

Reverse-curve (or surface tension) guards: Reverse-curve guards utilize the properties of water to direct it into the gutter while keeping the debris out. They are meant to be long-lasting and eliminate the need for cleaning. However, you would require professional expertise for installation. The most popular manufacturer of these guards is LeafGuard.

Gutter brushes: These are brush-style guards that look like pipe cleaners, designed to rest inside the gutter, block debris, and allow water to move through its bristles. This is an affordable option and is easily available at most hardware or online stores. The company GutterBrush designed and manufactured the style and continues to be a primary manufacturer of these guards.

Foam gutter guards: These are triangular blocks of foam designed to sit inside the gutters and block debris while simultaneously allowing water to pass through its porous material. The most popular manufacturer of these guards is GutterStuff . The guards are easy to install and do not require professional services.

You can pick the type that best suits your gutter and check out products offered by top manufacturers like Gutter Guards America, LeafGuard, GutterBrush, and GutterStuff.

Installation and maintenance tips
Always check your roof warranty before installing a gutter guard.
Clean and dry your gutters before installing any type of gutter guard.
Do as much work as possible on the ground. Tasks like measuring and cutting must be done on the ground to ensure safety and precision.
Trim the tree branches near your roof to reduce debris and protect the guards from damage.