guards, filters, inserts, covers and more...

This page started as an answer to all that misleading information listed online by unscrupulous businesses trying to take advantage of you.

Read carefully the information down below and enjoy the best pictures ever collected by our highly experienced technicians on the field. Don't learn in the hard way by having a flooded basement. Our knowledge is quite extensive after sixteen years cleaning gutters every single day.

Be wise and take our advice.

A covered gutter is a warm place for snakes to multiply...

Facts:

1. A water damage or a flooded basement happens during a heavy rain.

2. Gutters are up there to put the heavy rain away of your home foundation.

3. If your gutters are clean and properly installed, they will perfectly handle the amount of water per second during a heavy rain.

4. Any type of guard or cover installed over your gutters will reduce the open design and prevent your gutter to be effective during a heavy rain.

5. Almost all the gutter guards out there are designed to "perform well" on light rain only. We already know that not even one of all those items work well on a heavy rain.

6. If your gutters are covered, you can NOT expect a good performance of your roofing drainage system during a heavy rain.

7. Gutter guards and covers increase the risk of a water damage on your property.

8. Vinyl screens deform and cracks when being exposed to the elements.

Based on these facts:

We do NOT sell or install any type of gutter guard and we do NOT recommend the installation of any type of gutter cover. Gutter cleaning on a regular basis is the only way to keep your gutters working properly.

the flexible mesh

Flexible mesh is a filter made of plastic or metal to be installed over the gutters.

Seeds and fine debris still going through the mesh. Metal mesh bend and deform easily and plastic mesh crack and brake if removed. It is almost impossible to put them back with the same shape.

Vinyl screens

A vinyl screen is only a temporary help.

Seeds, fine debris and little leaves still going through the vinyl screens.

Wind blow the big leaves standing over the vinyl screens when new. Then, deform and cracks after being exposed to the elements.

Eventually trees start to grow and soon the downspout will clog again.

metal screens

Roof shingles breaks every time that the screens are removed and re-installed.

Then, a new issue starts: water leaking between the fascia and the gutter.

Gutter catch water, big debris, seeds and the every day shingle grit from your own roof. A yearly cleaning is a must on gutters covered by guards.

vinyl made covers

Solid covers reduce dramatically the gutters open design.

Gutter covers transform your gutters in a warm place for bugs, birds and squirrels to build nests and multiply.

The installation of this type of guard damage the roof shingles and the removal will damage the gutter itself. The slotted openings clog fast.

Wrong choice. Not recommended at all.

metal made covers

 

A very expensive choice. Works under the principle of liquid adhesion. Very poor performance during heavy rain. The fine debris from your roof can get inside and accumulates creating a thick layer that will prevent the water to flow properly. The openings eventually clog and the water shoots over the slit. All reverse curve systems clog and collapse. Thousands around the country reported ice dams with dangerous icicles on Winter.

Metal covers void the roof guarantee. See down below how the covers damaged the roof shingles.

pictures before and after the covers removal

pictures before and after the covers removal

the foam

It is a sponge inserted into the gutter. They perform well only if your gutters are properly graded. A yearly cleaning is needed because dry debris accumulation stuck over the top acts like a bridge that causes the rain to run over the gutter.

Their porous design make them the perfect place to start gardening up there and a nest always ready for zillions of ants and nasty bugs to live in and multiply ( several photos and videos to prove it ). They shrink by heat. Replacing is a must after 4 years.

the brush

Big debris get stuck within the fibers but the fine debris still going through and accumulates at the bottom of the gutter. Removal and reinstallation of the brush is easy. Long lasting choice and effective enough to prevent clogged downspouts.

How often do we need to clean our gutters?

The frequency of gutter cleaning will depends whether your home is adjacent to deciduous trees that overhang your roof.

If so, you may need to clean the gutters 4 times per year to prevent debris buildup. In normal conditions we suggest at least 2 services per year, once in the spring and once in the fall after the leaves have fallen.

detached gutter and detached fascia

A very common issue on neglected gutters due to the constant weight of standing water on poor graded gutters. Be aware that standing water will turn rapidly into a dangerous heavy block of ice on Winter.

shingle grit

Shingle grit from the composite shingles end up in your gutters on daily basis. Due to their size, no gutter guard, screen or cover can stop shingles debris.

Rain washes down these granules that eventually will clog your downspouts and the undergrounds.

worst debris ever

clogged downspouts

Shingle debris, rain and gravity worked together 

during 9 years to create this 3 foot long "tamale"

strainers

Strainers are a inexpensive choice to prevent clogged underground extensions but... gutter cleaning is a must.

underground pipes

 Corrugated pipes for underground extensions ?

bad idea

the right underground choice

For underground extensions we strongly recommend those 4 inches x 10 ft. solid white pipes.

Rain water will flow like a jet if they are properly graded.

Do NOT install elbows or a pop-up drainage emitter where the underground extension ends. You will regret it...

We enjoy the quality and we are here to rescue you from amateurs

and unscrupulous businesses

Gutters 911 is a company properly insured and licensed for work in Virginia.. All rights reserved. You may not copy, display, reproduce, publish or sell any information obtained from this website without written permission or consent from Gutters911™ LLC

2009 - 2025