Home Maintenance: A Deeper Look at Gutter Guards

As we mentioned in yesterday’s guide for closing your pool, the warm weather of summer has come and gone As the temperature starts to fall, so will the leaves as they change colours. For some buyers in the Windsor real estate market who took advantage of the Bank of Canada rate increases, they were able to secure a home and move in over the summer and are preparing for their first fall in the home. For sellers who are thinking of listing their home among the other houses for sale in Windsor, they may be looking for ways to upgrade the home and make it more appealing. One of the items that appeal to buyers, sellers, and even people comfortable in their own homes, have to do with those falling leaves and protecting the home. We’ll be reviewing the pros and cons of gutter guards today.

Let’s start with the pros of deciding to get them installed. First, they are almost universal and can be installed on almost all existing gutters, meaning you do not have to replace them, just add them on. They are also great for preventing nesting from birds who can choose them to make their homes. One of the top benefits is the need to clean your gutters manually yourself and they keep a large amount of debris out. This also means they can help prolong the life of your gutters by protecting them from water soaked debris sitting in them.

There are some cons to consider if you are thinking about getting gutter guards. First, the cost. While not as expensive as replacing gutters, they can still be costly to install depending on the size of your home and amount of gutters. The next con is important for our climate, ice build up. If you do decide to get guards, be sure your installer is reputable and can advise on ice build up as some products are more prone to the problem and not allowing the gutter to do its job, instead freezing over and closing them off completely. Finally, remember guards are not the end all be all, you still need to clean them out, just not as often. Look out for seeds and other plants sneaking in and finding a place to sprout. Make sure you still clean them out and be careful not to damage the guards.

Gutters are an important part of a home. They help to route water away from the home and prevent it from pooling around your foundation. Having clear and properly working gutters are important and guards can be a great help, just ensure the project is financially feasible and understand you still need to head up the ladder and keep an eye on them, safely of course!

Here at Jump Realty our agents will give you honest advice on what course of action is best for you in their professional opinion and will always put taking care of your best interests first! With offices in Windsor, Tecumseh, Kingsville, LaSalle, and Chatham, no matter where you are, a Jump agent is ready to help. Please contact us for any housing needs and let us give you a better real estate experience!