Short answer
Gutter guards can help by keeping larger leaves and debris out of the gutter, which can mean fewer blockages. But they do not make gutters maintenance-free: fine debris, seeds and moss still get in or collect on top, the guards themselves need cleaning, and they can make clearing the gutter harder. Whether they are worth it depends on your trees and your roof.
The main types of gutter guard
Mesh guards are panels or rolls of metal or plastic mesh that sit over the top of the gutter. Water runs through the holes while larger leaves stay on top. Finer meshes keep out more debris but can clog with small seeds and silt.
Brush guards look like long bottle brushes that sit inside the gutter. Leaves catch on the bristles while water runs underneath. They are simple to fit and lift out, but debris collects in the bristles and they need taking out and cleaning.
Foam guards are lengths of porous foam that fill the gutter. Water soaks through while leaves sit on top. Over time, fine material can work into the foam and plants can take root in it, at which point it needs cleaning or replacing.
There are other designs too, such as solid covers that rely on water curling over the edge, but mesh, brush and foam are the types most homeowners come across.
What gutter guards help with
The main benefit is stopping large leaves and twigs filling the gutter channel. On a house with big broadleaf trees nearby, that can cut down on blockages at the downpipe outlet and reduce how quickly the gutter fills. Guards can also stop balls, birds' nesting material and larger litter getting into gutters and pipes.
The drawbacks
Fine debris still gets through. Seeds, pine needles, blossom and the grit and moss that wash off roof tiles can pass through or around many guards and settle in the gutter beneath, where they are now harder to see and reach.
Debris collects on top. Leaves sitting on a mesh or foam guard can stop water getting into the gutter at all, so rain runs straight over the edge, which is the very problem guards are meant to prevent.
Guards need cleaning too. Brush and foam guards need lifting out and cleaning, and mesh needs clearing of whatever sits on it. On upper storeys, that means working at height just as cleaning the gutter would.
They can make clearing harder. When the gutter underneath does need clearing, the guards may need removing first, which adds time and can damage clip-on types.
Are gutter guards worth it for your home?
- Look at the trees nearby. Guards make most sense where large leaves are the main problem, and least sense where fine seeds or needles dominate.
- Check what is in your gutters now. Lots of moss and grit from the roof will get past most guards.
- Think about access. If cleaning guards still means working at height, the saving may be smaller than it first appears.
- Consider the gutter itself. Guards will not fix a gutter that leaks, sags or has lost its fall.
- Weigh up the cost of fitting and maintaining guards against simply having the gutters cleared at sensible intervals.
If you already have guards
Check them from the ground after heavy rain. Water pouring over the front of the gutter suggests the guards are clogged on top or the gutter beneath is blocked. Lift out a section where you can reach safely and see what has collected underneath.
Our guide to how often gutters should be cleaned helps you work out timing, our guide to cleaning gutters covers safe methods, and our guide to blocked gutters and downpipes explains what to do if water is backing up.
When to call a professional
It is worth calling a professional if guarded gutters are overflowing and they are out of safe reach, or if you want the gutters beneath the guards checked properly. Getting a clear view of what is under a guard is not easy from the ground.
We clear gutters rather than selling or fitting guards. If you have guards fitted, tell us when you ask for a quote. Our high-reach vacuum and camera let us check inside the gutter and show you the result.
Rather have it done for you?
Gutters cleared with a high-reach vacuum and camera, no ladders on your roof. Family-run by Jason and Lucas Prior, covering south Essex.
Frequently asked questions
Do gutter guards stop gutters needing cleaning?
No. They can reduce how much large debris gets in, but fine debris and moss still collect, and the guards themselves need cleaning. Gutters with guards still need checking.
Which type of gutter guard is best?
It depends on what falls on your roof. Mesh suits larger leaves, while brush and foam guards are easy to fit but collect debris and need regular cleaning. None suit every home.
Can gutter guards cause overflowing?
They can if leaves build up on top and stop water getting into the gutter, or if fine debris blocks the gutter beneath them. Checking after heavy rain will show whether that is happening.
Related guides
- How to clean gutters: clearing gutters by hand or from the ground, with the ladder safety steps that matter most.
- How often should gutters be cleaned?: working out the right gutter-cleaning interval for your home, rather than following a rigid rule.
- Blocked gutters and downpipes: spotting a blocked gutter or downpipe, clearing it safely and telling a blockage apart from a fault.
- What affects the cost of gutter cleaning: the factors that change a gutter cleaning quote, what a good quote should include and how to compare quotes like for like.