8 Ways to Prevent Leaves in Gutter

Most of us probably don’t think about our rain gutters until they start to leak and sag from clogged leaves and other debris; when if we used an ounce of prevention, we could save ourselves a lot of money and headache.

Clogged gutters are one of the most common reasons for roof leaks, but it is preventable. Check out these 8 ways on how to prevent leaves from clogging gutters:

1. Regular Maintenance

For your gutters and downspouts to work properly, you need to keep them clear of leaves and debris and this takes regular maintenance. Either you have to climb the ladder and do it yourself or you need to hire a professional gutter cleaning company to do it for you. The rule of thumb is to clean your gutters at least twice a year, but more if you have a lot of trees hanging over your house or you live in an area that experiences a lot of storms.

If you have any concerns about safely climbing up and down the ladder, then your safest bet is to hire a professional cleaning company. If you are going to do it yourself, make sure you have a sturdy ladder and never ever stand on the top two rungs.

Ways to clean your gutters:

• A leaf blower or a hose– but make sure you wear goggles and a dust mask and heavy work gloves.
• Purchase a gutter cleaning kit that can connect to your leaf blower.
• Use a garden trowel or gutter scoop to clean it out by hand. For best results, start at the drain outlet near the low end of the gutter. Then just dump into a bucket to dispose of when you are all done. It is best to clean out the leaves in gutters when the leaves are only slightly damp not real soggy.
  Besides focusing on what is just in the gutters, also make sure to use the leaf blower to blow any leaves or debris off the roof itself so it doesn’t all end up in the gutters the next time it rains.

2. Keep Your Trees Trimmed

If you have a lot of trees on your property, then another good way to prevent a lot of leaves in your gutters is to regularly trim your trees. Make sure you especially trim the branches that overhang your gutters. This will at least help reduce the amount of leaves you will have to clean up.

3. Add Gutter Screens

There a lot of different types and brands of gutter screens on the market that can help make gutter cleaning easier.
Plastic drop-in screens are very easy to installs. They do a good job of keeping out leaves, but you need to be careful because smaller debris like seeds and pine needles can still get into the gutters. Another plus is they can work with a variety of different roofing materials.

4. Add Surface-tension Guards

With these types of gutter covers, the water clings to the rounded nose of the guard and then flows into the gutter. The leaves and other debris however just falls over the edge. For these guards to work best they need to be installed so the slop of the guard matches the slope of the roof. Keep in mind that these guards are more visible than other options.

5. Add Fine Mesh Gutter Guard

Fine mesh gutter guards are better at catching seeds and needles, but some small particles can still get through. These gutter guards are very easy to clean with a brush or warm air. To install all you have to do is place them under the shingles or bend up the back and fastened it to the fascia. Be careful about the type of material the guards are made of. Surgical stainless steel will last the longest for you.

6. Add a Leaf Catcher

The leaf catcher is different from screens and guards which keep the debris up at roof level. With the leaf catcher, the debris comes down the downpipe and is caught closer to the ground. You need to use it with 2 ¾ flush mount outlets or K-Funnel outlets. Simple install to your existing downpipes and you will have minimal upkeep. The debris caught in the catcher is easy to remove with your hand. No ladder needed.

7. Install an All-in-One Gutter System

The types of gutters you have can also play a role. If you were looking to replace your gutter system any way, you can go with a permanent solution. An All-in-One Gutter System comes with a gutter as well as a cap to keep out leaves and other debris. Keep in mind this is a more expensive option.

8. Install The SpoutOff

Another product that can make maintaining your gutter system easier is TheSpoutOff. It is especially helpful if you have small rain gutter outlets because TheSpoutoff outlets are designed with a larger opening allowing for water to still run down even if other parts of the gutter are clogged. Another great plus is that these outlets are easy to keep clean through the removable downspout that allows you to check on the outlets without having to climb a ladder.

With TheSpoutOff, a fear of heights or balance concerns will no longer keep you from properly taking care of your home and it is a lot cheaper than hiring a professional cleaner to come regularly to clear out all the debris.

The SpoutOff can be retrofitted to your current roof gutter system or it can be added to a new one, depending upon your needs. The instructions are relatively easy to follow so it is something you can easily install yourself, but any local gutter company can do it for you as well.

Other fast facts about The SpoutOff include:

• As long as The SpoutOff outlets are free from debris, your gutter system will work properly even if other parts of the system are clogged. This will mean a lot less maintenance and stress on your part.
• The SpoutOff comes with a large outlet and removable downspout clip that can either be installed with new gutters or retrofitted to the gutter system you already have.
• The SpoutOff can be installed onto 5 inch and 6 inch K-Style gutters with either 2 inch x 3 inch or 3 inch x 4 inch downspouts, but 3 x 4 downspouts are recommended.
• The SpoutOff components are designed to work with most downspout configurations including A Elbow, B Elbow and Underground Pipes.

Want to learn more about how TheSpoutOff can help reduce the leaves in your gutter. Contact TheSpoutOff today to learn how it can take the hassle out of cleaning your gutters.