Can I Install My Own Gutter Guards?
When you decide that you are tired of cleaning your gutters, you may start looking for gutter guards. You’ll find that some of them are only sold to authorized dealers and also installed by the same, while other kinds can be found at any home improvement store. So If you’re trying to decide between self-installation and hiring a professional, you need to look at more than just the materials.
Homeowners can install their own gutter guards when they take all the necessary precautions and find covers that fit well. If you’re looking for a project for your home that can make future maintenance easier, you can consider installing gutter guards, helmets, or screens.
Keep in mind that no gutter guard negates the need for gutter cleaning completely. However, gutter guards do help you reduce the frequency of cleaning and also the amount of time necessary to clean them.
Installing gutter guards and cleaning gutters can be dangerous because this work is usually done after climbing onto your roof or standing on a ladder. Use a folding ladder or scaffold to safely finish the work on smaller one-story homes. If you plan to climb onto a two-story house, you will need fall prevention equipment.
The removal of pine needles, leaves, and other debris from gutters is a tedious but unavoidable task that homeowners must do to keep gutters performing optimally. That is unless you have a gutter guard in place. The installation of gutter guards is complicated, so if you’re thinking about taking it on yourself, first think about why it would be better to call in a professional. Here are some things to take into consideration.
Safety
Ladders are risky to use in the perfect conditions. Standing on a ladder while trying to install a product you’re not familiar with can increase that risk significantly. Working with metal gutters can also be a safety concern since their sharp edges can cut someone who isn’t wearing appropriate protection or is inexperienced.
Warranty
Gutters may look strong, but they can actually be pretty fragile. One installation misstep, and you could accidentally break or bend your gutters. Worse, you could cause damage leading to voiding the warranty on the gutters and even the whole roof. This is why hiring a professional installer who knows warranty requirements is a much better solution.
Making It Match
Finding the right style and color of gutter guards to match your gutters may look like a simple task, but it’s actually much more complicated. The guards come in many different styles and materials. It can be difficult to know where to start searching and to find the best option for you. This is why you need to find experienced installers. They can help you choose matching materials and colors that will look best on your home.
Are you thinking about a home improvement project? Feel free to contact 1-800-HANSONS for a free gutter estimate.
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