Gutter Guard Market Estimated to Be $660 Million: Is It a Good Trend?
The gutter guard market is on track to top $660 million in sales through 2025. That's a lot of money to spend on a product that, in most cases, will do more harm than good, such as leaving you with a gutter repair bill or, worse, requiring a new installation of your gutter system. Gutter guards have pros and cons, and the final decision comes down to your specific needs.
What Level of Protection Do Gutter Guards Provide?
Here's the thing: guards can offer some protection from leaves and other debris. But they also have the potential to cause severe problems down the line. That's why it's essential to understand the pros and cons of gutter guards before deciding.
Benefits of Guards For Gutters
Gutter guards can sometimes help keep leaves and other debris from clogging up your gutters. This can be a good thing, as it can reduce the time you have to spend cleaning out your gutters. These may also help extend your gutters' life by preventing leaves from rusting or corroding the metal.
Dangers of Gutter Guards
However, there are also some significant negatives to consider. Foremost, gutter guards can trap water in your gutters. This trapped water can lead to a whole host of problems, including mold growth, wood rot, and insect infestations.
As the water levels increase with no place to go, the weight of the water can also cause your gutters to pull away from your home or even collapse entirely. This situation can damage more than just your gutters – it can also impact your home's foundation and even cause structural damage.
Another problem with gutter guards is that they can prevent your gutters from doing their job. Gutters channel water away from your home to protect it from water damage. But if the guards trap water in the gutters, that water has nowhere to go but into your home.
This can lead to basement flooding, water damage to your walls and ceilings, and many other problems.
Should You Install Gutter Guards?
The answer to this question depends on your specific situation. If you live in an area with a lot of trees and you don't want to spend your time constantly cleaning out your gutters, guards may be a good option for you. But remember, there's no such thing as maintenance-free gutters, and you'll still need to check on your gutters and make sure they're working correctly.
Gutter Maintenance
Companies that sell gutter guards will tell you they're a maintenance-free solution. But that's not the case. In reality, you still need to clean your gutters, even if you have guards in place. If you don't, the problems mentioned above will only worsen.
With regular maintenance, you can have gutter guards and avoid gutter repairs. However, rather than spending the price on maintaining gutter guards, save your money for a new gutter installation and schedule regular gutter cleaning services instead.
