Many Australian homeowners invest in various features to maintain the integrity and functionality of their properties. Among these are systems designed to prevent blockages in essential drainage components.
However, recent observations suggest that specific widely adopted solutions may not always yield the expected benefits and could sometimes lead to unforeseen financial costs for homeowners.
Sydney-based gardener and landscaper Nathan Stafford has seen the dark side of these rooftop accessories. With over 15 years of experience maintaining homes, Stafford has a wealth of knowledge on what works and what doesn’t regarding gutter maintenance.
It’s a common feature that’s supposed to protect your home but could be secretly draining your wallet. We’re talking about gutter guards, and it’s time to uncover this potentially costly blunder.
Gutter guards have been marketed as a convenient way to keep your gutters free of leaves and debris.
The idea is simple: install these shields, and you can say goodbye to the hassle of regular gutter cleaning. However, as many homeowners have discovered, this promise might be too good to be true.
While gutter guards help reduce the number of gutter cleaning times, they are not a set-and-forget solution. Image source: ESB Professional/Shutterstock.com
‘What happens is, you get them installed and a lot of people think ‘well, that’s it’. But things fall on top of them, and they have little holes, so over time, the matter breaks down and falls in.’
He highlighted a critical issue with gutter guards: they’re often bolted down with ‘hundreds of nails’, making it a Herculean task to remove any debris that sneaks underneath.
The irony is that gutter guards, designed to prevent blockages, can contribute to them. Leaves and twigs might not enter the gutter, but they can accumulate on top of the guard, decompose, and eventually create a soil-like substance that slips through the cracks.
Add a bit of rain, and you’ve got yourself a gutter full of mud, weighing down the system and potentially damaging the fascia of your roof.
The problem is compounded by the fact that gutter guards can obscure your view into the gutter, allowing issues like rust or mould to go unnoticed until it’s too late.
When the time comes for cleaning, what should have been a straightforward task becomes a complex operation, often requiring professional help.
Marc Plowman, the business owner of an alternative guttering product called Flowmate, echoes Stafford’s concerns. He’s often the one who gets the call when gutter guards fail, and he’s seen firsthand the build-up of leaves on roofs with these guards in place.
Plowman points out, ‘Unfortunately, a lot of the time, consumers aren’t told that they still need to maintain their gutters,’ despite the initial investment, homeowners may end up shelling out more for cleaning services.
‘This debris that’s left on top decomposes and goes down into the gaps themselves,’ he says. ‘It creates a little ecosystem in there to grow. A lot of this is not always told to clients when they’re sold, and people invest thousands into getting them put on and then wonder why they’ve got a problem.’
The cost of cleaning a standard house with gutter guards can reach around $350, and that’s after the expense of installing the guards themselves.
Moreover, if you decide to remove the guards due to issues, you might find that any product warranty is voided, adding insult to injury.
While gutter guards might reduce the frequency of cleaning for homes surrounded by dense foliage, they are not the ‘set-and-forget’ solution they’re often sold as.
In fact, Plowman estimates that 25 to 30 per cent of his weekly jobs involve complications with gutter guards, many of which require removal or extensive cleaning.
So, what’s the takeaway for Australian homeowners? It’s essential to do your research before investing in gutter guards.
Consider the type of foliage around your home, the maintenance required, and whether the cost and effort of installing gutter guards will genuinely save you money and time in the long run.
If you’ve had experiences with gutter guards, good or bad, we’d love to hear from you. Share your stories in the comments below, and let’s help each other avoid costly mistakes.
Also read: Beware: This hidden property threat could mean big expenses!
