Our Thoughts on Products like Gutter Brush, Balloon Guards, and Gutter Guard

 

We’re trusted with the gutter systems of hundreds of Norfolk and Norwich homeowners, so we’ve seen it all when it comes to gutters. Here are our thoughts on a few popular gimmicks that we’ve encountered, and our smarter (if we do say so ourselves!) solution. 

 

Gutter Brush

Products like gutter brush and gutter guard are designed to sit in gutters and deflect debris. In our experience however, they often do more harm than good. Debris still collects in the gutter, where it composts beneath the brush, causing restricted water flow. Sticks, moss, small chunks of tile, pine needles, acorns, and wet leaves are not kept out effectively, and the gutter brush ends up holding them in place where they cause blockages, or flow downstream to fill the soakaway. 

 

Gutters fitted with brush still require clearing, however the job becomes twice as big. First, the brush has to be removed (a potentially very messy process...) Then the gutters themselves need to be vacuumed.  Then if the brush is to be reinstalled it must first be effectively cleaned in between all the bristles and then finally refitted into the gutters — If we haven’t convinced not to reinstall it!

 

Gutters are good at perpetuating the conditions within them. If they’re empty, the wind blows out most of what falls in, but if they’ve got a coating of muck in the bottom, or a gutter brush on top, they actually trap debris, retaining more of the matter that falls in. 

 

Balloon Guards

On the surface, they seem like a good idea, filtering out debris at the entrance to downpipes to ensure it doesn’t clog pipes or fill the soakaway. In practise however, they encourage a buildup of moss, leaves and broken down matter at the top of each outlet, restricting water flow and blocking the gutters. On low gutters this isn’t a major problem — it’s easy enough to take them out every few weeks and give them a quick clean, but on high gutters they can become a real nuisance. When water can’t access the downpipes, it quickly spills out of the gutters, potentially eroding mortar, causing damp, and possibly rotting beams. For a detailed guide to all of the risks of blockages, read our post on The Hidden Dangers of Blocked Gutters.  

In certain situations such as where trees are directly above a property balloon guards might be a good solution, but at higher levels they will require regular ladder access and servicing to ensure water flow isn’t impeded.

 

Our Solution

We install a discreet custom solution to collect organic matter at an accessible height before it reaches the soakaway. This way, you protect your drainage system, but can easily remove the debris that builds up without the trouble and risks involved when using a high ladder. It saves you money as your gutters will need less maintenance, and offers a real solution rather than a sticking plaster like alternatives. 

 

Arrange a free comprehensive quote by completing our Contact Form today to see how we could make your gutters work more efficiently for you.

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