Seamless gutters and gutter guards: do you need them?

Why gutters matter

A roof sheds a surprising amount of water in a heavy rain. Without working gutters, it pours off the edge, splashes against siding and windows, washes out landscaping and soaks the ground next to the foundation. Over time that can mean rotted fascia boards, stained siding, wet basements and cracked walks and driveways. Gutters that work, with downspouts that carry water well away from the house, prevent all of that.

Downspouts are half of the system. Each one should empty onto a splash block or an extension that carries water away from the foundation, onto ground that slopes away from the house. A downspout that empties right at the corner of the house can undo the work of the gutter above it, so check where yours drain the next time it rains.

What makes a gutter seamless

Traditional sectional gutters are joined every so often along each run, and every joint is a place that can leak as the seal ages. Seamless gutters are formed on site from a continuous roll of metal and cut to the length of each run of your roof, so there are no joints along the run, only at the corners and downspouts.

Omega Exteriors describes its seamless gutters as a sleek, leak-resistant design that directs water away from the house with less maintenance. Because they are made to measure, they also fit the house closely and look clean along the roofline.

How gutter guards work

Gutter guards cover the top of the gutter to keep leaves, twigs and roof debris out while letting water in. Designs vary, from screens and mesh to solid covers that guide water around a curved edge. Omega Exteriors installs gutter guards that use mesh to keep out clogs while letting water drain, and its gutter materials include Gutter Rx and LeaFree systems. Its blog post Enhance Your Home with Gutter Rx describes the Gutter Rx system's aluminum construction and low-maintenance design.

Guards reduce how often gutters need cleaning, but no guard makes a gutter maintenance-free. Small debris, seeds and roof granules can still collect over time, so plan to have the system looked at now and then.

Do you need gutter guards?

Gutter guards earn their keep on some houses more than others. If you have trees near the house, clean your gutters several times a year, or have a two-story home where cleaning means a tall ladder, guards can save a lot of time and risk. If your house has no trees nearby and the gutters rarely clog, guards matter less.

• Trees overhang or stand near the roof
• You clean the gutters more than once or twice a year
• The gutters are high enough that cleaning them is a safety risk
• Gutters overflow in heavy rain even when they look clear
• Pine needles or seeds keep clogging the downspouts

Signs your gutters need attention

• Water spilling over the edge during rain
• Gutters sagging or pulling away from the fascia
• Leaking joints, rust spots or holes
• Peeling paint or rot on the fascia boards behind the gutter
• Water pooling near the foundation or a damp basement after rain
• Dents from hail, or sections bent by ice and snow

Repair, replace or upgrade

A loose hanger or a leaking corner can often be fixed. When gutters sag along whole runs, leak at many joints, or were damaged by a storm, gutter replacement is usually the better value, and it is the natural time to switch to seamless gutters and add guards. Winter matters here too: clogged gutters can freeze solid and add to the ice that builds up along the edge of the roof, as our guide to ice dams explains.

Omega Exteriors provides gutter installation, replacement and gutter storm damage restoration, and offers a free gutter inspection. Call (651) 998-8500 or request a free estimate.