Gutters 101

Ever since gutters became standard issue for every house, attempts to protect gutters from debris accumulation have been numerous. There is no magic bullet in the word of gutters that can completely prevent debris from accumulating. But a gutter guard can mitigate the buildup of unpleasant debris and unsightly waste.

The word gutter comes from the Latin gutta which means drop. A gutter guard is essentially a rain catcher, which collects and diverts rainwater away from the roofs edges. This protections a buildings foundation and also helps reduces erosion, preventing leaks in basements and crawlspaces. Rain gutters can be made from a multitude of materials including cast iron, lead, zinc, steel, copper, and aluminum. Regardless of the materials composition, gutters are essential to roofs and without them the entire property is compromised.

The genesis of gutters also spawned the creation of a rain gutter, which serves as a spout to deter water to one location. Rain gutters can be accompanied by screens, micro mesh screens, and solid hoods which allow water to flow freely, reducing the accumulation of debris in the gutter.

It’s important to keep gutters unclogged in order to prevent stagnant water build up, which breads mosquitoes and allows grass and weeds to grow in the gutter. Gutter guards reduce the frequency of maintenance but are by no means a ticket to neglect your gutter. In our opinion, the best gutter guards available are the Rain Drop Gutter Guards. It is simple, sturdy, and it gives you the most bang for your buck in the world of gutter guards. This company provides gutter guards with a myriad of features such as strainers, strap in metal and plastic guards, and stainless steel filter guards. But we must stress that there is no magic bullet to unfetter you from maintenance. The only way to ensure the longevity of your gutter is regular, careful maintenance.