If your gutters are showing signs of aging and damage, having them replaced is a great way to ensure that your gutter system is up to the task of protecting your home from water damage this winter. Yet, if you are already planning on having your gutters replaced, you should also think about having gutter covers added at the same time. Gutter covers, also often called gutter guards, help to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from getting into your gutters, while still allowing water to flow freely off of your roof and into your gutter system. Not only do gutter covers make maintaining your gutters easier by helping to keep debris out and prevent pesky clogs, but they also provide homeowners with a variety of other benefits as well. Here is a look at just a few of the reasons you should consider adding gutter covers during your gutter replacement in Hampton or Richmond, Virginia.
Reduce Ice Dam Formation
As you are likely all too aware if you live in an area that sees freezing temperatures frequently during winter, ice dams can be extremely destructive. Ice dams form when water running off your roof accumulates in your gutter and freezes. Ice dams are bad news not only due to the fact that they can damage your gutters, but they also restrict the flow of water through your gutters. This can leave your roof and foundation susceptible to water damage if your gutters overflow. While gutter covers do not completely prevent ice dams from forming, they do significantly reduce the chances that you will encounter them this winter. The fact is that ice dams often form when gutters are clogged with debris, as this allows water to sit in your gutters and freeze. Gutter covers reduce the prevalence of ice dams by keeping debris out, helping to ensure water is able to flow through your gutters quickly without freezing.
Help Prevent Infestations
A lesser-known benefit of gutter covers is that they can help prevent pest infestations. What many homeowners do not realize is that gutters make an attractive home for a variety of pests such as rats, mice, birds, bats, squirrels, spiders, as well as other insects and vermin. Gutters become a particularly attractive place for pests to build their homes when they have standing water in them due to a clog. Thusly, gutter covers will make your gutters less attractive to pests by keeping water moving. They also provide enough coverage to keep larger pests such as bats, mice, and birds from getting into your gutters at all, helping to keep your Hampton Roads or Richmond home pest-free.
Provides Fire Protection
While keeping your gutters free from debris is critical in order to prevent clogs and ice dams, it is also essential in preventing a fire. Were there to be a fire nearby, sparks and embers from the fire could travel a long way on the wind and land in your gutters. Even a single ember could light dry twigs, leaves, and other debris in your gutter on fire, and a small fire could quickly spread to your home. By helping keep your gutters clean and free of debris, gutter covers go a long way in protecting your home from a potential fire. This makes gutter covers particularly important if you live in an area where brush or forest fires are common.
If you are already planning on having your home’s gutters replaced, having gutter covers installed as well can not only make cleaning your gutters easier, but it can help protect your home from a variety of hazards as well. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of leaf-free, clog-free, worry-free gutter covers from Carefree Gutter Guards.