Do Gutter Guards Eliminate the Need for Cleaning?

If you’re tired of clearing leaves, moss, and other debris from your gutters every year, gutter guards might sound like the perfect solution. After all, if something is covering your gutters, surely that means no more blockages — right?

Well, not quite.

So, What Are Gutter Guards?

Gutter guards (sometimes called gutter covers or mesh screens) are fitted over the top of your guttering to stop larger debris like leaves and twigs from falling in. The idea is that rainwater can still flow through, while the muck stays out.

It sounds ideal, but in practice, things can get a bit more complicated,

While gutter guards can help reduce the amount of debris that enters your guttering, they don’t eliminate the need for cleaning entirely. In fact, in some cases, they can even make things worse if not properly maintained.

The Downsides of Gutter Guards

Over time, dirt, seeds, and smaller debris can still build up on top of the guard or sneak through the mesh. If left unchecked, this build-up can cause blockages or water to overflow — especially during heavy rain.

In some cases, the weight of trapped debris can even cause the guards to sag or damage the guttering itself. We’ve also seen guards come loose, making the gutters less effective than if they were just cleaned regularly.

In short, while they can reduce how often you need to clean your gutters, they don’t remove the need completely — and in some situations, they can actually increase maintenance needs.

What’s the Best Option?

If you already have gutter guards in place, it’s still important to have your gutters checked and cleaned periodically to make sure everything’s flowing as it should. If you’re considering installing them, it’s worth weighing up the benefits against the potential for hidden build-up.

At Ben’s Gutters, we offer a straightforward, honest approach. We can:

• Install gutter guards if you’d like to give them a go.
• Remove existing guards if they’re causing problems.
• Clean gutters with or without guards in place — and we’ll always let you know if we think they’re doing more harm than good.

These services can be added to your regular gutter clearance for an additional fee, and our experienced team is always happy to offer advice based on your home and surroundings.

So, while gutter guards might help reduce how often your gutters need clearing, they’re not a magic fix. Keeping on top of gutter maintenance is still essential to avoid costly repairs down the line.

Ben’s Gutters is here to help — whether you’ve got guards, want them fitted, or are ready to ditch them altogether. Let us take the hassle out of gutter care!