Are Gutter Screens Worth It?

We see a lot of hype and advertising right now with regard to the installation of rain gutter screens. So the question is, are they worth it? Do they work? Well, the answer is yes and yes!

However, it should be noted that rain gutters and rain gutter screens may not permanently solve a drainage problem.

For example, during long periods of drought, or high wind, etc, lots of debris can accumulate on your roof surface.

Then, the heavy rains come!

The force of the water, coupled with gravity, can wash that debris down into the gutters, or, in the case of gutter screens, onto the tops of the gutter screens.

Either way, the effect of the debris is to wash, either into the gutters themselves, or to the tops of the gutter screens. After the rains, as the debris dries out, it solidifies, which can effectively cause the flowing water, during the next heavy rains, to “dam up.” This can cause another drainage problem, similar to, or potentially worse, than the original one.

Then there comes the question as to whether or not you will have to use your ladder to climb up on the roof, clean leaves and debris, etc.

Your honest answer of course, is yes! If not you, someone will have to perform the maintenance. I think the old adage rings true: “There is no free lunch!”

So, bottom line, while there is no question that screens can help to minimize the problem, common sense tells us that there is no way to avoid maintenance.

Questions? Ask Raneri and Long. We’ll always tell you truth.