How to Install Gutter Guards to Prevent Clogs and Potential Home Damage

By Timothy Dale

While trees and bushes enhance a home's curb appeal, debris from nearby foliage can get stuck in gutters, leading to clogs and blockages. This may cause collected water to spill over the gutters or put pressure on the gutter system, creating leaks and even ice dams. Water that doesn't properly flow through the gutter system will soak into the ground and may seep through the walls of the foundation, leading to leaks or even flooding.

To prevent these problems, homeowners need to clean the gutter system regularly. Luckily, DIYers can reduce the frequency of gutter cleaning by installing gutter guards. Gutter guards also improve water flow, prevent clogs and ice dams, prolong the life of the gutters, and reduce the risk of pest nesting and infestation.

What Are Gutter Guards?

Gutter guards are exactly what they sound like—a product installed inside or over the top of the gutters to prevent leaves, sticks, pine needles, and other debris from entering the gutter system. There are several types of gutter guards, each employing a different material or method to catch debris while allowing rain and meltwater to flow freely into the gutters.

Despite gutter guards preventing the vast majority of debris from entering the gutter system, the gutters should still be cleaned to avoid clogs and ice dams. If the gutter guards are installed correctly and working as intended, the job will be significantly easier and take less time to complete.

Safety Considerations

Gutters line the edges of the roof, so you'll need to climb high enough to access the gutter system. Due to the risk of working on a ladder, several precautions must be taken to prevent injury. First, never work on a ladder alone. Having a second person nearby to stabilize the ladder, grab tools, and respond in an emergency is essential to the safety and success of this job.

Minimize the number of times you climb up or down the ladder, as fewer trips mean less chance of missing a step or losing your balance. Attaching a bucket to the ladder with an S-hook can also help you clean gutters without frequent trips up and down. Additionally, using an A-frame ladder is better for stability, though this is only true if the ladder has a solid, flat surface on which to sit. Otherwise, use an extension ladder with adjustable legs.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Ladder

• Bucket

• S-hook

• Hose

• Tape measure

• Tin snips

• Miter saw
  

Materials

• Gutter guards

• Gutter guard fasteners

• Gutter hangers

Instructions

How to Install Gutter Guards

1. Clean the Gutter System The gutter system must be cleaned before the gutter guards can be installed. Grab a hose with a spray nozzle and hang a bucket from the ladder with an S-hook. Put on gloves, climb up the ladder, and start cleaning the gutters. Scoop out large debris, like clumps of pine needles, leaves, or sticks. Then, use the hose to flush any remaining dirt and debris from the gutter system. While running water through the gutters, check for leaks or other problems that may need to be repaired before proceeding.

1. Measure the Gutters Generally, the gutter guards will not exactly fit the gutters, so you need to measure the gutter beforehand. Use a tape measure to measure the lengths of the gutter system, then purchase the gutter guards, ensuring that you buy more than necessary to make up for any mistakes in measurement or trimming.
   

2. Trim the Gutter Guards Since most gutter guards are sold in pieces or sections, they don't often fit the gutter system without modification. Use a set of tin snips or a miter saw to trim the end pieces of the gutter guard to fit the gutter system. Depending on the layout of the gutter system, you may also need to cut end pieces at an angle to accommodate corners.

3. Install the Gutter Guards Once the gutter guards are cut down to size, you can start installing them. The installation process is slightly different depending on the type of gutter guard and the specific product, so it's essential to read and following the directions provided by the manufacturer.
   

• Brush or Foam Gutter Guards: These gutter guard systems are the easiest to install. All you need to do is place the brush or foam gutter guards end to end inside the gutters. If the gutter system has hangers inside the gutter trough, you might need to detach the hangers one or two at a time to slide the brush or foam gutter guards into the gutter trough. After the gutter guard is in place, reinstall the hangers.
  

• Plastic or Metal Screen Gutter Guards: Screen gutter guards are available in plastic or metal and can be purchased in pre-cut sections or large rolls. Slide the gutter guard under the first row of shingles, and then attach the other side to the gutter. The way in which the gutter guard is installed depends on the product. Some will snap onto the gutter lip, while others need to be secured with clips, tape, screws, or support brackets. Check the manufacturer's directions to determine the appropriate method for the product.

• Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards: Installing micro-mesh gutter guards isn't as easy as brush, foam, or screen gutter guards. The way in which the gutter guards attach depends on the brand, although most slide under the shingles and attach to the fascia board before being secured to the gutter's outer edge. Use the fasteners included by the manufacturer and follow the provided directions to install the micro-mesh gutter guard to the gutter system.

Types of Gutter Guards

Homeowners interested in installing gutter guards can choose from five types: brush, foam, micro-mesh, reverse-curve, and screen gutter guards.

• Brush gutter guards are installed inside the gutters. They look like thick, circular brushes, similar to oversized pipe cleaners. The bristles catch debris that falls into the gutters while allowing water to flow through. This type of gutter guard system is inexpensive and easy to install, but since the bristles catch debris instead of redirecting it, homeowners need to clean the gutter guards regularly.

• Foam gutter guards are similar to brush gutter guards in that they are affordable and easy to install. Just slide the foam gutter guard into the gutter to block debris from entering the gutter system. However, foam gutter guards need to be cleaned regularly since debris can build up on top of them or work its way through the gaps between the foam sections.

• Micro-mesh gutter guards are one of the best options for protecting the gutter system. The micro-mesh screen prevents large and small debris from entering the gutters but allows water to flow freely. Although there are some DIY options for micro-mesh gutter guards, this type of system is typically installed by pros since the micro-mesh screen needs to be secured under the shingles.

• Reverse-curve gutter guards are highly recommended for gutter protection. They start under the shingles and extend out over the gutter before curving back enough for surface tension to carry any water down and into the gutters. Meanwhile, debris slides off the gutter guard and down to the ground. However, due to the complexity of the installation, this type of gutter guard should be installed by professionals.

• Screen gutter guards are available in metal or plastic. This type of gutter guard is similar to micro-mesh gutter guards, although the perforated holes are significantly larger. Screen gutter guards are a good midrange option that is more effective than brush or foam gutter guards while costing less than micro-mesh or reverse-curve gutter guards.