Are Gutter Guards Worth It? Protecting Your Calgary Home the Smart Way
As a Calgary homeowner, dealing with gutters clogged by leaves, pine needles, and other debris is an ongoing hassle. You might have heard about gutter guards and wondered if they’re genuinely worth the investment. At Touch Of Glass, we’ve installed thousands of feet of premium gutter protection across Calgary, Chestermere, Okotoks, and Airdrie. Today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to determine if gutter guards are worth it for your home.
How Do Gutter Guards Work?
Gutter guards function by creating a barrier between your roof and gutters. Instead of debris settling in your gutters and downspouts, it naturally slides off your roof. The guards we install align seamlessly with your roof’s slope, maximizing debris runoff. This simple yet effective system significantly cuts down on blockages, allowing your gutters to function optimally year-round.
Major Benefits of Installing Gutter Guards in Calgary
Here are some of the most significant advantages you’ll experience with professionally installed gutter guards from Touch Of Glass:
1. Reduced Gutter Cleaning and Maintenance
Without gutter guards, Calgary homeowners often need gutter cleaning multiple times per year, especially in fall and spring. Gutter guards dramatically reduce this need. While some minimal maintenance might still be required, it’s far less frequent, saving you time, hassle, and money in the long run.
2. Protection Against Water Damage
Blocked gutters can cause severe water damage, from foundation erosion to roof leaks and landscape destruction. Gutter guards effectively prevent debris buildup, significantly lowering your risk of expensive water-related repairs.
3. Preventing Pest Infestations
Standing water and debris-filled gutters attract pests like mosquitoes, birds, and rodents. Gutter guards eliminate the habitat these pests seek, keeping your home safe and pest-free.
4. Increased Longevity of Your Gutters
Gutter guards play a key role in extending the life of your gutter system by preventing the buildup of debris that leads to corrosion, rust, and ice damage. By keeping your gutters clear and flowing properly, they reduce the wear and tear that often results in costly gutter repairs. With guards in place, your gutters stay stronger, last longer, and perform better throughout the seasons.
5. Enhanced Home Appearance and Value
Overflowing, clogged gutters damage curb appeal. By installing gutter guards, your home stays cleaner, looks better, and even boosts its market value.
How to Install Gutter Guards: Why Professional Installation Matters
Installing gutter guards involves more than simply snapping a screen over your existing gutters. When done improperly, it can lead to water overflow, gaps in protection, roof damage, or even voided warranties. That’s why professional installation is so important, especially in Calgary’s unpredictable weather.
Here’s how we install gutter guards at Touch Of Glass, step by step:
1. Clean and Flush the Gutters
We start by thoroughly clearing out your existing gutters and downspouts. All leaves, dirt, roof grit, and blockages are removed by hand and with water pressure to ensure clean flow from start to finish.
2. Inspect for Damage
Our team performs a full video inspection of your gutter system. If we find cracks, loose joints, or sagging sections, we fix them on the spot. This ensures your new guards are installed on a solid foundation.
3. Re-align and Seal the System
We check that your gutters are sloped correctly so water can drain efficiently. Misaligned gutters are adjusted and sealed using professional-grade sealant, preventing leaks and ensuring long-term performance.
4. Install the Gutter Guards
We securely attach Master Shield gutter guards using hidden, heavy-duty brackets that blend with your roofline. The guards are angled to match your roof’s pitch, allowing debris to slide off naturally while water flows through the ultra-fine mesh.
5. Test the System and Show You the Results
Once the guards are in place, we do a final flow test. You’ll receive a video recap of your system in action, so you can see exactly how it protects your home.
With over 17 years of hands-on experience and more than 20,000 feet of gutter guards installed across Calgary and surrounding areas, we know what it takes to get it right. You’ll never need to worry about DIY headaches or seasonal surprises. We take care of everything, from the initial inspection to the final cleanup.
How Do You Clean Gutters With Gutter Guards Installed?
Even with gutter guards installed, some light maintenance may still be needed. While the guards block most leaves and debris from entering your gutters, occasional buildup can occur on top of the mesh. Here’s how to handle it:
1. Remove Loose Debris from the Surface
Use a soft-bristle brush or leaf blower to gently sweep off leaves, pine needles, and other loose debris that may collect on top of the guards. This keeps water flowing freely through the mesh surface.
2. Rinse with a Hose if Needed
If there is any stuck-on dirt or pollen, a gentle rinse with a garden hose is usually enough to clear it. Avoid using high-pressure washers directly on the mesh, as that can damage the material.
3. Check Downspouts
Although guards reduce internal buildup, it’s good to confirm your downspouts are draining properly. You can flush them using a hose from the top down or let our team do it during your regular inspection.
4. Leave the Hard Work to Us
At Touch Of Glass, we offer professional follow-up maintenance services for homeowners across Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, and Okotoks. We’ll handle seasonal debris removal, ensure water is flowing properly, and send you video footage so you know your system is working exactly as it should.
The best part? With our premium Master Shield system, this type of upkeep is rarely needed. But if it is, we’re always one call away.
Common Questions About Gutter Guards in Calgary
Do gutter guards eliminate all maintenance?
While gutter guards drastically reduce maintenance, minor debris removal on top of guards may still be necessary occasionally. Professional maintenance can easily address this.
How long do gutter guards last?
At Touch Of Glass, our Master Shield Gutter Guards come with a lifetime warranty, ensuring they remain effective throughout the lifespan of your home.
Can gutter guards handle Calgary’s heavy rainfall and snow?
Absolutely. Master Shield guards are designed specifically to withstand heavy rain and snow conditions in Calgary, efficiently draining water and preventing ice dams.
Get Your Free Gutter Guard Inspection and Estimate
Still wondering if gutter guards are worth it for your home? At Touch Of Glass, we offer a complimentary gutter inspection and detailed, no-obligation estimate. You’ll receive:
- A free multi-point inspection of your existing gutter system
- Personalized video footage showing the exact condition of your gutters
- Honest, transparent advice from our local Calgary team
With over 17 years of experience and thousands of satisfied local homeowners, we’re confident in our gutter guard solutions.
Contact Touch Of Glass today to schedule your free inspection.
Let us help you keep your gutters clean for life.
