Gutter Guard Problems Revealed: 4 Myths to Know Before Purchasing

Have you ever wondered if gutter guards are really worth the investment or just another home maintenance myth? Are you skeptical about the promises made by gutter guard companies? What if the truth is different from what you’ve heard?

At RoofSmart, we install hundreds of gutters and gutter guards every year. After 13 years of experience working with gutter guards, we have seen all kinds of brands used and are familiar with the problems they cause and the myths surrounding them.

In this article, you’ll learn the truth about 4 common myths regarding gutter guards. These myths include:

• Myth 1- Can You Really Trust Gutter Guard Warranties and Guarantees?
• Myth 2- Do Gutter Guards Really Eliminate Maintenance Forever?
• Myth 3- Will Gutter Guard Installation Damage Your Roof?
• Myth 4: Will Any Gutter Guard Fit Your Gutters Without Causing Issues?

By the end, you’ll be more informed on the common problems that gutter guards can cause—from deceptive warranty coverage to damaging installation practices—so that you can decide which gutter guard is best for you with all the facts in mind.

Myth 1: Can You Really Trust Gutter Guard Warranties and Guarantees?

Every company makes promises about what their product or service can accomplish and talks about why you should get it. Gutter guard manufacturers do the same thing. Now, there is nothing wrong with doing this, so long as the company can back those promises up.

Many gutter guard manufacturer websites claim that their products will prevent your gutter from clogging and that you’ll never have to do maintenance again. Many gutter guards certainly do keep debris out of your gutter and prevent it from clogging. However, this is where things can get tricky, and potentially deceptive with the wording, especially when warranties are involved.

If you’re thinking about getting gutter guards, it is absolutely crucial to read the warranty that comes with them. This applies whether you’re buying directly from the manufacturer, through your roofing contractor, or even from a store.

You’ll notice that the company specifically talks about how the gutter guards will protect your gutter from clogging with debris in the warranty. So if you’re still having issues with your gutter clogging due to faulty installation or defective gutter guards, then you can make a claim.

But almost no companies have coverage for the actual gutter guard clogging. So, they’ll say that the gutter guard is maintenance-free on their website, implying that you don’t need to clean off the leaves.

So say that the gutter guard is clogged with debris and water is spilling out and causing damage to your home. If the gutter guard itself clogging is not mentioned in the warranty, then the gutter guard manufacturer can simply say that the gutter guard clogging is not covered and the damage to the home outside of the gutter isn’t their fault.

So, even though the product requires maintenance, you were told that it doesn’t and are now potentially facing damage to your home. This kind of thing happens all the time. Some companies have even faced lawsuits over this issue.

Myth 2: Do Gutter Guards Really Eliminate Maintenance Forever?

A lot of people think that once you get gutter guards, you’re good to go and no longer need to clear leaves or other debris from the gutter. This is probably because a lot of gutter guard manufacturers claim that this is true even when it isn’t.

The benefit of getting gutter guards is that you do not have to worry about the gutters themselves clogging and preventing water flow during rain. Gutter guards can significantly reduce the amount of times you clean debris off the gutter, but it still needs to happen sometimes.

Sadly, there are almost no gutter guards that completely eliminate the need for gutter maintenance. This is especially true for the screen and filter style of gutter guards, which lay flat in your gutter. Unless they’re installed at an angle so that debris can slide off, debris is likely just going to sit there and accumulate.

Another maintenance issue with filter gutter guards is that they are prone to growing algae, which also plugs gutter guards and prevents them from working. So, if you’d like to get this style of gutter guard, keep in mind that it needs to be pressure washed to clear off the algae.

This is not to say that these gutter guards don’t work at all, it’s just that they do require maintenance in order to continue functioning properly.

Myth 3: Will Gutter Guard Installation Damage Your Roof?

There are three main styles of gutter guards: hoods, screens, and filters.

You might expect that within each respective style, any variation of gutter guard is built and installed the same as the next. However, that’s not necessarily true. Each manufacturer has their own take on a gutter guard, meaning that there are many options the choose from. Some are more expensive, but some are cheaper.

To get around patents and copyright issues, some brands had to design their gutter guards in a way that sacrifices functionality and can even damage your roof. This is a problem with many different variations of hood gutter guards. Unfortunately, some of the cheaper styles have these issues.

Most gutter guards do not touch the roof. But with some of these hood guard styles, they have a piece that gets pushed underneath the shingles and then drilled in place all along the roof’s edge to secure it. Then when they’re finished they just caulk the hole. This does not help seal it though, and eventually leads to leaking from the holes.

Obviously, you do not want to have added holes in your roof. But even just pushing the gutter guard underneath the shingles can be incredibly damaging to your roof by weakening or breaking your shingles.

Myth 4: Will Any Gutter Guard Fit Your Gutters Without Causing Issues?

Some gutters can be installed too close to the shingles to properly fit gutter guards inside them. Understandably, nobody really wants to pay the extra money to rehang gutters. So, this issue largely gets ignored or smoothed over by salespeople, and the gutter guards get installed anyway.

When the gutter guards don’t fit in the gutter, they will push up the shingle and create cupping. This prevents water from draining into the gutters and it instead pools up in the shingles.

Asphalt shingles do not hold up well under standing water, so this causes them to deteriorate much quicker. This leads to leaks and other issues in the roof.

So, you might save yourself money by not rehanging the gutters, but water damage in the roof can add up quickly.

Make an Informed Decision About Gutter Guards

Now that you know the truth behind these common gutter guard myths, you’re better equipped to make a decision that protects your home. Gutter guards can be a helpful tool in maintaining your gutters, but it’s essential to understand their limitations, the importance of proper installation, and the ongoing maintenance they still require.

If you’re considering gutter guards, be sure to read warranties carefully, choose high-quality products, and consult a professional for installation to avoid future issues. By taking these steps, you’ll ensure that your gutter system works effectively for years to come.

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?”.