Are you tired of cleaning out your plugged gutters but worried that installing gutter guards might void your roof’s warranty? Are you concerned that adding a gutter guard might lead to extensive damage and costly repairs on you?
At RoofSmart, we install hundreds of gutters and gutter guards every year. We’ve seen the damage that comes from improper installation of gutter guards by installers who either had no experience or didn’t want to deal with extra steps. These customers were rightfully upset that damage had been done to their shingles, often without them even knowing about it.
In this article, we’ll clear up the confusion around gutter guards and warranties, helping you understand the truth behind these claims so that you can make an informed decision.
We’ll discuss the following:
- the role gutter guards play in damaging your roof and voiding its warranty
- how to avoid this damage
- how to decide if you think it’s worth it to get gutter guards installed
What is a roof warranty and what does it cover?
There are two types of warranties that you can get to protect your roof: manufacturer and workmanship. This article will focus on how manufacturer’s warranties can be voided.
Manufacturer’s warranties provide you with coverage if you have damage to your roof caused by defective shingles. If the issue can be traced back to them, then they’ll pay for it. However, manufacturer’s warranties are very particular about what’s excluded from coverage and which practices will void the warranty.
How can gutter guards void a roof warranty?
It is possible that your roof can get damaged during the installation process, which would void your warranty. This does not happen every time, but it is fairly common.
This can be due to incorrect installation practices. But even if the installation practices are “correct” they can still cause damage to the roof.
What are the ways that gutter guards can damage a roof?
There are many different ways that improper installation practices can cause damage to the shingles that void your warranty. All of the following issues are considered third-party damage and are therefore not covered under your roof warranty.
Putting holes in the shingles
Some variations of hood gutter guards are secured by screwing into the shingle. The shingles are not designed to withstand this. At best, this has compromised the shingle and will likely lead to leaks or other issues down the road. At worst, the shingle is damaged and will start having issues much sooner. If you’re considering getting a hood gutter guard, it is a good idea to research installation practices so that you know what you’re getting into.
No room for the gutter guards
Sometimes the layout of your roof and gutter system does not leave room for the gutter guard to fit properly, especially if the gutter is angled upward toward the roof. If the gutter guard does not fit, it might have to be shoved under the shingle, which creates cupping. So, instead of water draining into the gutter, it gets retained in the cupped part of the shingle, causing it to deteriorate at a much faster rate.
Here is an example of how the gutter guards can get shoved up underneath the shingle and distort its shape:
In even more extreme versions, the gutter guard pushes up on the end of the shingle and creates cupping.
The solution to this is to redo the gutter system so that the gutter guards can fit properly, but this can be expensive and time-consuming, so it usually doesn’t happen.
Improper Function
If the gutter guard is shoved in against the roof, it might also cause the water to backflow into the roof either on or underneath the shingles.
Both of these issues can also lead to rotting in the plywood beneath the shingle and leaks in that area. These issues take years to notice, so by the time it becomes a problem you might not even attribute it to the gutter guards.
Although the backflow of water might not directly void your roof warranty, neither the gutter guard warranty nor the roof warranty will cover those damages. So you’d still be stuck with a damaged roof that you have to pay for.
For example, here is some water damage from backflow that we found:
Inconvenient design
Some gutter covers might not fit in your gutters, even if the gutter system is not at a weird angle with the roof. Specifically for hood gutter guards, this might mean that they get pushed under the shingles, which can lead to water damage and deterioration of the roof.
This picture shows where the gutter guard was sitting and how it damaged the roof:
Sometimes gutters are not straight, which can be a problem when trying to fit gutter guards on top. If it’s one long piece, then it might not fit completely over the gutter. If the gutter guard comes in multiple shorter pieces, then they might not all fit together in a smooth, straight line to fit on a gutter that bends or curves. This might result in uneven heights or gaps between the pieces.
Compromising your roof’s ventilation system
Depending on the layout of your roof and gutters, some gutter guards might be installed in a place that blocks the ventilation along the outside of your roof. In a humid, rainy area like Seattle, this is particularly detrimental because if your roof does not have proper airflow it puts your attic at risk for growing mold.
This is particularly a problem for drip edge ventilation, which is installed right at the edge of the roof and sits right above any existing gutters. This is what it looks like:
Some gutter guards sit right up against the roof and could block this type of ventilation, leading to bigger problems with the roof.
Roof warranties can often exclude coverage for fixing ventilation problems (unless it was installed under specific conditions with approval from the manufacturer). If third-party work, such as installing gutter guards, is responsible for issues with ventilation, then your roof’s warranty will not apply. This is especially true if the blocked ventilation leads to other damage in the roof.
How can I avoid damaging my roof when getting gutter guards?
It is completely possible to get gutter guards without having to worry about damaging your roof. It will take some extra planning and research, but after putting in the effort you will be able to keep your roof warranty and have protected gutters.
Here are two steps you can take to make sure that you avoid damaging your roof:
- Working with an experienced contractor: Finding an experienced gutter guard installer is the best way to avoid these issues. Ideally, the company will do gutter guard installations in-house rather than subcontracting it out. If a company does the work themselves it is easier for them to control the quality of the workmanship.
- Using gutter guards that fit: It is important to find gutter guards that work for your roof’s setup. This means that you might need to do some research into the dimensions of the gutter guard and the installation process to make sure that it will fit in your gutters. If you notice that your gutters are angled or there isn’t much space between them and the roof, you might need to get your gutter system redone. A great way to assess this is by having a professional gutter installer take a look.
- Choose gutter guards that don’t touch your roof: If you’re extremely concerned about voiding your roof’s warranty, it is probably a good idea to choose a gutter guard that doesn’t touch your roof. Some types of gutter guards (like screens) drop right into the gutter without sliding under the shingles. Not all gutter guards that touch the roof are automatically bad, but they can create an added risk.
If you’re concerned about voiding your roof’s warranty, we strongly recommend skipping the DIY and hiring a contractor to do it for you. This way, you’ll get professional, proper installation and access to higher-quality materials.
Weighing your options: Is it worth it to get a gutter guard installed?
If you’re reading this and thinking twice about installing gutter guards, that is understandable. Gutter guards can be a valuable addition to your home, so long as they are installed properly. If you’re set on installing them yourself, then we say go for it. But, we do encourage you to do plenty of research beforehand.
Here’s a question you can ask yourself while considering your options: Is installing this gutter guard going to solve my problems or cause me more problems?
At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide what kind of gutter guard you want and who you want to install it. With the risk of damaging your shingles and voiding your roof’s warranty at play, you’ll likely want to consider what the best solution is for you, and, perhaps most importantly, if that solution has the potential to cause worse problems.
Protect Your Roof and Warranty with Careful Planning
When considering gutter guards, it’s important to understand both the benefits and potential risks. While gutter guards can save you from the hassle of cleaning clogged gutters, improper installation could lead to costly repairs and even void your roof warranty. However, by choosing the right type of gutter guard and working with experienced contractors, you can protect both your roof and your warranty.
Take the time to research your options, ensure your gutter guards are a good fit for your home, and prioritize professional installation to avoid any long-term issues. If you’re unsure, it’s always worth consulting a professional before making a final decision.
To help you find a professional installer who is qualified and will do a good job, check out our article “How Do I Know If A Roofing Contractor is Qualified?”. Even if you don’t want to use a roofing contractor to install your gutters, it will still give you useful advice for assessing the qualifications of a different type of contractor.
To help you weigh your options and make an informed decision on which gutter guard is right for you, check out our articles “How to Choose the Best Gutter Guard for Your Home” and “Which Gutter Guard Styles Work Best In The Seattle Area?”.
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