South Florida is known for its beautiful weather, sunshine, rain, wind, and unique atmosphere you enjoy. The tropical environment means that considerable amounts of debris will fall into your rain gutters. It is from pine needles, leaves, dirt, debris, palm branches, seeds, twigs, and other things. All of them impact the performance of your rain gutters and requires cleaning at least three to four times a year. The problem is that it can become expensive when doing this kind of maintenance regularly. These costs vary from $50 to $425 per square foot, depending on the house’s size and how much is necessary. You can protect your property by using a leaf guard to prevent debris from falling into it.
There is not as much cleaning and the prices you pay for the material and labor translate into long-term savings. The result is your maintenance costs are lower and you have higher property values from installing them.
There are several types of leaf guards in Palm Beach County available and knowing the different ones helps you determine what works.
- The Surface Tension
Surface tension is aluminum pieces of sheet metal that wrap around the gutter and prevent debris from entering. It allows water to pass through and drain safely down the gutter without leaving a trail of fragments behind. Sometimes, a small amount of dirt may come through with the water, but it washes away as it drains. Occasionally, the solid surface must be cleaned with a garden hose but not as much as normally required with no protection. The benefits of using this type are it offers better protection, is durable, and there is little maintenance. The drawbacks are it is visible from the ground level, difficult to install, and can be expensive.
- Screens
Screens are the most popular type of leaf guard in Palm Beach County for gutters and come in a range of sizes and shapes. They work in locations where leaves a problem and there is lots of foliage year-round. The issue is that the holes are big enough for pine needles and debris to collect. Sometimes, so much can build up that they will clog and require more cleaning to clear them out. The benefits they offer include easy installation, flexibility for a variety of roofs, and cost-effectiveness. The drawbacks are they can become clogged, they are harder to clean, and buildup debris.
- Mesh
A leaf guard in Palm Beach County with mesh is similar to a screen, but they prevent more debris from entering the gutters using smaller holes. They stop pine needles and seeds from clogging them but can fill up if they are not cleaned with dirt. The mesh is easier to clean than screens using a brush or a blower to clear them out. The screen-like material makes them vulnerable to damage from falling branches and it requires routine inspection. The best ones are made with stainless steel that is durable against the elements and it prevents the mesh from rusting. The benefits are mesh is easier to clean, install, it strengthens the roof, and keeps most debris out of the gutters. The drawbacks are there is not a large selection, it requires more maintenance, and there are limited choices of colors.
- The Rain Handler System
A rain handler system is sloping away from the house and pushes the debris away using gravity. You don’t need to install other types of protection with it being the one solution that deals with these issues. The water moves away from the house by several feet and you don’t worry about it leaving ruts on the property, damaging the driveway, sidewalk, or deck. The benefits are it is more effective and moves everything away from the house to provide the maximum amount of protection. The drawbacks are it is complicated to install and expensive (with it starting at $4.50 per square foot).
We Can Help!
There are many choices available when choosing a leaf guard in Palm Beach County for your home. Each one has unique benefits and drawbacks that do more than continually cleaning the gutters. K&B Seamless Gutters can help you in selecting the right ones for your home. Call today at (561) 523-1019 and see how their years of experience and professionalism will make a difference in protecting your property.