Also known as leaf guard gutters, gutter guards do more than divert leaves and other debris away from your gutters and downspouts. They can also prevent water damage, mold growth, pest problems, and ice dams. If you live in a dry climate, gutter guards also prevent dry leaves from building up in your gutters, which could otherwise be a fire hazard in wildfire season.
Gutter guards work in heavy rain as long as they are sized correctly for the gutter. There are several different designs of gutter guards, each with specific benefits. Some are better for reducing overall maintenance to your gutters, while others make cleaning the gutters easier.
We’ll discuss various gutter guards that work great in heavy rain. You’ll discover which works best overall and which are the best for heavy rain events.
Do Leaf Guard Gutters Work in Heavy Rain?
The short answer is yes, leaf guards do work. But there are some conditions. Gutter guards work as long as they are sized and installed correctly. And each gutter guard works differently from another kind to filter debris out of gutters.
The primary purpose of gutter guards is to facilitate proper channeling of rainwater so that water isn’t sitting in your gutters or spilling over near your home’s foundation.
Overflowing gutters can also cause your gutters to sag, which can lead to flooding of your home’s basement. There are a host of other problems as well that clogged gutters can cause.
For instance, stagnant water can attract pests such as termites which can exacerbate the damage to your home. The water damage can also lead to mold, creating an unhealthy breathing environment for you and your family.
So, it’s easy to see that gutter guards play a vital role in preventing those things from happening.
Gutter guards are sized according to the type of gutter they are to work with and the best solution for your roof type.
Generally, you should select gutter guards for their effectiveness, durability, cost, and level of maintenance required, along with your requirements.
But make no mistake, without gutter leaf guards, overflows can cause flooding of your home and the ground.
Which option of gutter guards is best for your home? Suppose you have a large tree over your gutters that frequently has leaves falling in your home’s gutters. Then, gutter guards that reduce regular maintenance may seem like a good option. But those kinds of gutter guards aren’t as reliable as other types that require more cleaning and maintenance.
So what types of gutter guards are there? Here’s a look at the most common types and their pros and cons.
Screen Type Gutter Guards
Screen-type gutter guards are inexpensive to purchase and effective in heavy rain but require regular cleaning. They are a good fit for starter homes and homes with small-to-medium-sized roofs.
If regular maintenance and cleaning of screen gutter guards would be a problem for you, they may not be the best solution as they don’t work as effectively when dirty.
Pros:
- Effective
- Inexpensive
- Durable
Cons:
- Will rust
- Require regular maintenance
- Need mechanical attachment to withstand heavy winds
Mesh Type Gutter Guards
Mesh gutter guards perform slightly better than screen gutter guards and provide more effective filtering. They are more common with upscale homes, as they are not as noticeable and don’t affect the curb appeal.
Mesh guards are great in heavy rain because they rarely become too dirty to work. However, they still require regular maintenance to remain clog-free and small particles haven’t built up within the holes. They also need to be installed by a professional gutter expert to ensure a precise fit.
Pros:
- Highly effective filtering
- Durable
- Requires less maintenance than screen gutter guards
Cons:
- Moderately expensive
- Not often a DIY project to install
- Doesn’t fit all gutter shapes
Foam Type Gutter Guards
Foam gutter guards are among the least expensive to purchase. They are similar in texture to sponges, so they filter out most debris that could cause an overflow.
Foam gutter guards work great in heavy rain as long as they have recently been cleaned. If the foam becomes too full of debris, it will become debris itself and prevent the runoff from flowing.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- DIY friendly
- Effective
Cons:
- Require regular cleaning
- Not durable
- Will degrade over time
Brush Type Gutter Guards
Brush-type gutter guards are very simple to install and clean. Many brush-type gutter guards are not permanently attached to the gutter but lie inside it. These types of gutter guards are popular with DIYers, as they are easy to install and clean.
Brush gutter guards work great in heavy rain, although they may allow more small debris to pass through. Though they are less form-fitted than some guards, brush gutter guards are reliable and keep bigger pieces of debris from clogging the gutter.
Pros:
- Effective
- Very easy to clean
- Moderately inexpensive
- Durable
- Resistant to degradation over time
Cons:
- Require regular maintenance
- Won’t prevent small debris from entering the gutter
- Can potentially rust
- Leaves can collect behind the bristles, making cleaning more difficult
Reverse Curve Type Gutter Guards
Reverse curve gutter guards are designed to deflect anything but water into the gutter. They require very accurate installation to work effectively because the runoff curves into the gutter while everything else gets washed away. But sometimes installation involves lifting some of the roofing shingles.
Reverse curve gutter guards are often found on upscale and luxury homes. Besides an annual inspection, they require little-to-no maintenance or cleaning. But they’re not as reliable, and either work great or not at all. They also require professional installation and are not a good DIY project.
Pros:
- Most effective gutter guard when it works
- Very durable
- Resistant to impact damage
- Will not rust
- Less maintenance
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not DIY friendly
- Bulkier than other gutter guards, so not as great in terms of curb appeal
- If shingles have to be lifted for installation, it could void your roof warranty if you have one
What Are the Limitations of Gutter Guards in Heavy Rain?
Gutter guards do a great job in heavy rain events. However, there are circumstances when even the best gutter guards offer limited protection.
For instance, if you don’t clean or maintain your gutter guards well, encounter extreme weather, or have excessive debris, gutter guards can only do so much and are limited in their effectiveness during heavy rain.
But most of the time, and with regular cleaning and maintenance, all gutter guards will perform to some extent and either filter out debris or deflect it away from the gutter.
In some cases, the debris is so extensive that heavy rain can overwhelm the gutters, leading to an overflow. Snow, ice, large leaves, and conifer needles are common causes of gutter overflows, as they impede the flow of water to the downspout.
Also, gutter guards may not be compatible with every gutter type, as some, like half-round gutters, require a specific gutter guard shape. Some roof types can also prevent you from being able to use specific gutter guards, like a seamed metal roof.
Seamless gutters also present a challenge for some gutter guard installations because the guards must be daisy-chained from one end to the other.
How to Choose and Install Gutter Guards for Heavy Rain
In addition to effectiveness and durability, choosing the right type of gutter guards for your home is often a function of your budget, style, and the problem you want to solve. For a starting point, the main goal should be ensuring a proper fit and function.
Ideally, you’ll want to choose gutter guards that are tailored for your situation. All homes and properties are different, so choose the style and design that will work best for your situation.
If keeping costs down is a driving factor, consider foam, brush, and screen-type gutter guards. If low maintenance is critical, consider mesh or reverse curve gutter guards.
As for installation, hiring a gutter professional is the best value option, as the work will also come with a warranty. Some gutter companies even have maintenance contracts, so you can be assured that your home’s gutters and gutter guards are automatically cared for.
If you decide to install gutter guards yourself, be mindful of doing it safely. Be sure and use appropriate personal protective equipment to prevent injury. And if you feel at all uncomfortable and hesitant about doing the work, call in a pro.
Enlarging the Gutters and Downspouts
Gutter guards work best when they have a proper fit over the gutter and are sized appropriately for the roof. For example, the best gutters for heavy rain are often larger than the standard gutters commonly found on homes.
The standard gutter size for houses is 5” inches wide, also known as residential-size gutters. This can be misleading, as some homes experience heavy rain regularly, are unusually large, or have overhanging trees that frequently dump debris on the roof.
For this reason, many homeowners upgrade to the 6” or 7” gutter size. In most cases, the downspouts are also enlarged from the standard 2” x 3” to the larger 3” x 4”.
Why Do You Need Gutter Guards?
According to DisasterSafety.org, one of the most important things you can do to maintain the integrity of your home is to keep your gutters clear during heavy rains. One of the best ways to achieve this is by installing gutter guards.
Gutter guards can help protect your home from water damage, mold, pests, and fire hazards such as dry leaves and yard waste. Leaf guards keep the rainwater moving, which prevents clogs from forming.
They can help you save money, hassle, and time by reducing the need to clean and repair your gutters before heavy rain.
When debris becomes stuck in your gutters, it can cause overflows into the soffit and fascia, which are unprotected on the backside. Over time, this can cause water damage, attract pests and mold, and cause flammable debris to collect on your roof.
Gutter guards also improve curb appeal by providing smooth lines that are visually attractive. Typically, the better the curb appeal, the higher the value for the home if it’s ever put on the market. Adding gutter guards demonstrates your commitment to keeping your home in top condition and suggests that the rest of the house is also well-maintained.
Gutter Guards Work In Heavy Rain to Prevent Damage to Your Home
Gutter guards are among the best investments you can make to extend the life of your home, landscape, roof, and gutters. Gutter guards do work in heavy rain under the right circumstances and can prevent water damage and help to avert other types of destruction to your home.
When choosing the best gutter guard for your home, consider its effectiveness, durability, cost, and the amount of maintenance that will be required. Align those factors with your needs and requirements to determine which is best for you.
Heavy rain can challenge the functionality of your home’s gutters and gutter guards, and quality installation is the key. Our gutter professionals can answer your questions and advise you on your home’s gutter system and what will maximize its effectiveness.
