Originally posted on https://www.sydneyleafscreening.com.au/gutter-guard-installation-common-mistakes

Hi, folks!

So, If you’ve been tuning in for a while, you already know how important gutter leaf protection is for ensuring the life of your roof and health of your home.  It keeps grime, dirt, and leaves out of your gutters, making sure that they can effectively channel water away from your roof and prevent it from accumulating around your home’s foundation.  And, you may wish to go the professional route or install your own.  If you’re the DIY type, here are some key tips to keep in mind to make sure you don’t damage your home in the process:

1. Don’t nail into your roof!

This one may seem like a no brainer but you’d be surprised how many people overlook the importance of maintaining the integrity of your roof.  Yes, it’s important to install your gutter protection securely.  But no, you should never penetrate your shingles or otherwise damage your roof to make it happen.  Your roof acts as a barrier to the elements.  Any time you poke a hole in it, you compromise that protection and make it less effective.

2.  Don’t lift the shingles!

The shingles also help to prevent water from damaging your home.  In fact, gutter protection can only be effective when the layer of singles is solid and uncompromised.  So, if you lift the shingles to install your gutter guard, you’re working against yourself.  Lifting the shingles will damage your roof and increase the likelihood of water damage.  No matter how you attach the gutter guard, make sure that the shingles remain firmly in place.

3. Make sure the gutter guards are firmly attached!

Yes, attaching them improperly can muck up the whole process.  But they have to be attached or your gutter guards won’t do the job at all.  If you attach them improperly, they can be torn from your roof under heavy rains or winds, creating holes and compromising the integrity of your roof in other ways.  Most kits will come with clear instructions as to how to attach them properly.  Keeping the first couple of tips in mind, make sure that you follow the gutter guard installation instructions properly to protect your roof and home.

4. Get the right size!

Your home is unique.  It’s not the same as any other home on the block.  That means, there’s no such thing as one size fits all.  So, you have to make sure that any improvements fit your home.  It’s no different with gutter protection.  And this is something that it’s all too easy to forget.  Too big a gutter guard means you’ll have to stuff it in the gutter or overlap, reducing water draining and effectiveness.  To small, and it’s next to worthless, allowing small particles to fill your gutters.

5. Don’t forget the downspouts!

This is a biggie.  So, you’ve covered every inch of the transverse gutters, and the downspout entrances are just left to fend for themselves.  While a good heavy rain might cleanse them out from time to time, more often than not, thy end up collecting dirt and grim, impeding the whole system.  Remember that the downspouts are one of the most important components of the whole system.

6. Avoid damaging the gutter!

There are several ways that the gutter can be damaged.  You might place the ladder against the gutter, crimping it and pulling portions away from the roof.  This can compromise the integrity of your roof or gutter system.  You may also place too much pressure on the surface, changing the pitch of the gutter and decreasing its effectiveness.  The functionality of the entire system is based on water flow, so having the right pitch is essential.

7. Get the right kind of gutter guard!

There are a number of gutter guards on the market, and each style works differently.  With some, like foam or brush guards, you’ll still have to clean the gutters regularly and you may have to remove the entire system to clean them effectively.  With others, small particles and seeds will be able to enter the gutters unimpeded.  This can cause big problems in the long run.  The best way to go is a fine mesh made of aluminium or polyethylene.  Plus, with the right type, you won’t even be able to see it, making sure you haven’t installed an expensive eyesore.

If you want to know more about gutter leaf protection, feel free to contact us!  We’ll let know you know what’s best for your home and give free quotes on a professional installation job, including maintenance for a no hassle deal.