When to Change Leaf Guards for Gutters

Leaf guards are an excellent way to prevent unwanted debris from entering into a home's gutter system. However, as with all of a home's infrastructure, the guards will eventually need to be replaced. This is especially true if limited maintenance has been performed on the entire gutter system. Proper maintenance is the best way to avoid costly replacements.

According to the experts, leaf guards need to be cleaned at least twice a year. It is recommended this be completed when the home's gutters are cleaned. Late fall and spring are the optimal cleaning times.  It is very important the fall cleaning be performed before the first freeze, as debris that has accumulated can seriously deteriorate the guard's screens and limit the guard's capacity to perform its job of protecting the gutters.

Depending on the type of leaf guard system your home has, the amount of time before a replacement is needed can vary from five to ten years. However, here are some common instances when replacement is necessary to protect the system and keep the gutter flowing smoothly.

• Since guards catch debris on a screen like a trap on top of the gutter. It is easy for the screens to become damaged or sag if debris isn't removed in a timely manner.


• Guards should be replaced if the screens are damaged beyond simple repair. If the home's gutters are becoming clogged with large amounts of leaves, the guard is no longer working and should be replaced.


• Guards that are rusty or screens that have rusted away from their frame should be replaced.


• If the guard itself is broken, it's time for a replacement. Broken guard pieces can fall into the gutter channel causing dirt and silt to build up around the fallen piece. This can lead to clogs which cause water spillage over the sides of the gutters and damage to fascia boards.


• Guards that have shifted on the gutter channels because of loose clips can become warped. Since this misalignment will allow debris to enter the gutter, it is important to replace the guards as soon as possible.