If you’re an Australian homeowner then you’re more than likely always on the lookout for ways to reduce seasonal roof maintenance that needs to be done. Since keeping your roof clean and dry is a key requirement, homeowners are keen to simplify the process.
One of the more effective ways of reducing your roof maintenance is by opting for the
gutter guard installation Melbourne roofers offer. What are gutter guards? How will they safeguard your roof and minimise seasonal cleaning? Keep reading to find out.
What are Gutter Guards?
As the name implies, gutter guards are coverings that fit snuggly over or into gutters with the primary goal of keeping debris such as leaves and twigs out. Gutter guards can be made of a variety of materials such as steel, copper, plastic, aluminium, galvanised mesh, and polyurethane foam.
Installers can customise gutter guards to suit your existing shape and style of gutters, making it easy to find options for both modern and older houses. The most common types of local gutter guard options include the following:
- Internal mesh: This type of gutter guard is the most popular option as it’s not only suited to most gutter types but is the most cost-effective.
- Box guards: Typically suited to concealed or box shaped gutters.
- Steel mesh: Can easily be bent to accommodate the shape of the gutters.
- Leaf guards: Used most commonly on small to medium-sized gutters.
- External mesh: Ideally suited for steel or plastic gutters.
- Poly guards: Designed to work as a filter to keep maximum organic materials out, making it a go-to choice for homeowners with rainwater tanks.
Every Home Should Have Gutter Guards
There are several reasons why professional roofers will always recommend adding gutter guards to your home, no matter what the age of your roof is. The most significant reasons are listed below.
1. Minimises the Time and Effort of Cleaning
Gutter cleaning can be quite a chore. This is especially the case if you only do it once tall trees surround a year or your home. Since some Australian areas are more susceptible to storms and winds, some homes will gather more leaves and other organic debris than others, which can be quite laborious to clean.
Opting to install gutter guards means that most of the leaves and twigs will fall on top of them. In most cases, this debris will blow off the guard but can easily be cleaned off with a steam washer or hard brush.
Smaller pieces of debris may still fall through the guard, but this will be easier to clean out than clumps of wet sand and leaves. You can speak to your installer for the most effective guard for your area and roof to keep as much debris out of the gutter as possible.
2. Can Reduce Damp-Related Rust
Gutters are designed to last a long time. However, gutters that aren’t cleaned often can easily see a build-up of leaves, twigs, and even sand that gets blown in by the wind. Even the smallest amount of leave build-up can slow down or prevent water from flowing out and into the downpipes.
This water build-up can lead to rust and corrosion forming on the inside of the gutters and pipes. When this happens, corrosion will cause the gutter material to deteriorate and break, leading to leaking and eventual water damage. Gutter guards reduce potential damage to your gutters and downpipes.
3. Can Reduce the Risk of Fire
Some areas in Australia are highly prone to bushfires. People living in these areas will tell you that dry leaves in gutters pose a high risk of flying embers catching alight. That makes roof maintenance in these areas crucial.
Installing the right type of gutter guards will keep the bulk of leaves out of the gutter, reducing the chances of embers igniting any leaves stuck in the gutter. Combining your gutter guards with a seasonal cleaning plan will go a long way toward keeping your home safe and reducing the risk of fire.
4. Keeps Pests Out
Leaves and twigs aren’t the only things you should strive to keep out of your gutters. A build-up of organic materials often makes very desirable nesting materials for pests such as rats, mice, and birds.
These pests not only nest in the gutters but make their way into the inside of your roof and your home. Since gutter guards keep leaves and twigs out and allow water to flow freely, there’s less likelihood of pests moving in. Ultimately you’ll save a considerable amount of money on pest control and won’t have to deal with any pest-related damages.
Final Thoughts
There’s no denying that gutter guards are a worthy investment. Not only will they reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do, but they will always go a long way toward keeping pests from gaining access to your home. With a range of customisable options, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t install gutter guards as soon as possible!