What Kinds Of Gutters Do Not Require Cleaning? (+ Problems That Result If You Do Not Clean Gutters)

Last Updated on July 17, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

There are several types of gutters that require minimal cleaning due to their design and materials. One such option is gutter guards or leaf guards, which act as protective barriers to prevent debris from entering the gutters. These guards can be made of mesh, foam, or other materials, allowing water to pass through while keeping leaves and debris out. Another low-maintenance choice is seamless gutters, which have fewer joints, reducing the chances of clogging.

What Kinds Of Gutters Do Not Require Cleaning?

Maintaining clean gutters is crucial in protecting the overall health of your home. However, cleaning gutters can be a burdensome task. Fortunately, there are types of gutters that do not require frequent cleaning.

1. Covered Gutters
   • Covered gutters feature a protective cover that prevents leaves and debris from entering the gutter.
   • Although they may still need occasional cleaning, they require less maintenance compared to their open counterparts.
2. Seamless Gutters
   • Seamless gutters are tailor-made to fit your home, reducing the number of spots where debris can collect.
   • They are more resistant to leaks and require less maintenance over time.
3. Vinyl Gutters
   • Vinyl gutters are resistant to rust and corrosion, thus less prone to debris build-up.
   • They maintain their appearance over time and require infrequent cleaning.
4. Aluminum Gutters
   • Aluminum gutters are typically coated with a layer of enamel, which prevents rust and reduces the need for regular cleaning.
5. Mesh Gutter Guards
   • These gutter guards fit over your existing gutters and prevent debris from falling in.
   • Gutter guards require infrequent cleaning and maintain the functionality of your gutters.

Gutters that Require Less Frequent Cleaning: A Comparison

Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Covered Gutters	Protects against debris and leaves	May still need occasional cleaning
Seamless Gutters	Less debris accumulation, leak-resistant	Professional installation typically required
Vinyl Gutters	Rust-resistant, Debris build-up resistance	Less durable, prone to cracks due to weather
Aluminum Gutters	Prevents rust with enamel coating, infrequent cleaning	Potential for damage
Mesh Gutter Guards	Professional installation is typically required	Needs proper installation, occasional cleaning required

How Often Should You Clean Your Gutter?

It would help if you cleaned gutters at least two times a year, at the end of the fall season and the beginning of spring. Depending on the location, you might need to clean your gutters more than twice a year. Clogged gutters may damage your home as they might not collect water from your roof and direct it away. 

How Does The LeafGuard Brand Gutter Work?

The leafGuard gutter is like any normal gutter, but it has a hood installed on it that acts as the leaf guard. The hood and the gutter all fit seamlessly without any holes or gaps. This hood is curved at the edge to cover the gutter, leaving enough space for the water to flow on and into the gutter. 

The mechanism that this gutter uses is based on the principle of liquid adhesion. When rainwater lands on the hood, the water effectively grabs onto the cover, flowing around its lip and right into the gutter. The gutter works similarly to any other. It directs water away from the house as it should.

Objects that usually clog the gutters will be there, but their hood deflects them from getting inside the drain. Whereas conventional gutters are vulnerable to clogging caused by gunk and leaves, LeafGuard gutters remain free and open. 

What Makes LeafGuard Brand Gutter The Best Option?

Although LeafGuard Brand gutters are famously known for their maintenance-free quality, they also have other features that make them an ideal system.

Some of these qualities include;

Wide bottoms and generously proportioned downspouts

This feature makes LeafGuard Brand gutters very useful, especially during heavy rains; they can manage up to 32 inches of rain per hour. That is more than there has ever actually fallen anywhere in the United States of America. According to the United States Bureau, that is three times more than the amount of rain to ever fall in this region.

Durability

LeafGuard Brand gutters are made of extra-thick aluminum, coated with the scratch guard, and a proprietary paint finish guaranteed not to peel, chip off or even crack.

Installation

LeafGuard Brand gutters have a unique installation process that separates them from other gutters. They have hangers with non-corrosive screws positioned two feet apart, double the industry standard. These two quality-enhancing considerations ensure that these gutters remain attached. The LeafGuard Brand gutters are installed by professionals trained specifically to fix them.

Problems Resulting From Not Cleaning Your Gutters

Flooding Basement

Clogged gutters end up overflowing, and instead of directing water away from your house, the water ends up running down the side of your walls. This water ends up in your basement, destroying many items on the way.

Destruction Of Your Landscape

Gutters and gutter spouts help control the rainwater; without them, water runs onto your landscape and forms small trenches through which it runs. The same thing happens when the gutters clog; the water overflows and finally gets to your lawn and destroys it. 

House Foundation Issues

Water is not good for your foundation. Overflowing water from your clogged gutters might end up under your house and soften the ground on which your house stands. With time this can cause your house to tilt and probably collapse.

Growth Of Algae And Moss

Algae and moss require dump conditions to grow. With clogged gutters, you create a very good environment for them. This destroys your home’s overall look, can cause damage to your roofing system, and lead to health issues.

Pests

Clogged gutters can hold water in them even after the rains; this is a good breeding ground for mosquitoes. Other pests that feed on insects such as mosquitoes can be attracted to your house.

Damaged Fascia

When your gutters harbor all that debris, leaves, and gunk, they become heavy when water flows. Your fascia cannot hold up the weight of the gutters for long. They end up cracking and allowing water to flow into your house.

Water Damage

When the gutters are clogged, they end up not doing what they are required to, that is, take water away from your house. Water flowing from the gutters and down the sides of your house might not seem harmful at first. With time the effects will start to show.

Driveway Destruction

Water that flows onto your driveway from the clogged gutters might end up flowing under your driveway. This will affect your driveway the same way it does under the foundation of your house. A collapsing ground can cause damage to your car or yourself when you are walking on the driveway.

Damage To Your Roof

Water that is stagnant near your roof can be very dangerous to you and your roofing system. Depending on what type of roof you have, clogged water can lead to rusting of all metals. Once the roof’s condition and the shingles in contact with the water deteriorate, they start letting water flow into your house. 

When the damage on your roof is not detected, the damage continues. Water starts to leak into your house and onto your ceiling. Your insulation gets wet, and before you know it, your house has already acquired an expensive repair job.

Ice Dams

During the cold season, it is very easy for the water held up by your clogged utters to freeze—this frozen water cause’s build-up of ice dams that encourage water logging in your gutters.

Final Thought

A clean and clog-free gutter is safe. When it collects debris and gunk, you are obligated to climb up there and clean them up. However, with the LeafGuard Brand gutter, you do not have to do a single thing after installation. You forget the biannual plan of hiring someone or doing it yourself. A clean gutter ensures water collected is safe and protects your walls against water damage.

References:

https://budgetroofpainting.com.au/what-is-the-best-type-of-gutter-that-doesnt-require-cleaning/
https://stardustcleaning.co.uk/what-type-of-gutters-do-not-require-cleaning/