By weighing the advantages and disadvantages of foam gutter guards, we can determine if they are indeed as good as they seem. A form of gutter guard that lies inside the gutter to keep it clear of leaves, sticks, and debris is called a foam gutter guard, sometimes known as a gutter sponge or gutter foam. Several homeowners have questioned their effectiveness because of the distinct ways in which they are meant to function.
Foam gutter guards
Open-cell foam inserts that fit inside your gutter are used as foam gutter guards. Typically, they are constructed from UV-stabilized porous polyether, polyester, or polyurethane foam.
Its porous construction lets rainfall pass down the gutter without sticking, while the foam they use captures twigs, leaves, and other detritus. This prevents obstructions in the gutters.
Using this guard, you can efficiently prevent water damage to your house and roof while lowering the frequency of gutter cleaning and maintenance. The gutter is blocked by the sponge-like foam, which eliminates any room for twigs, seeds, leaves, and other undesired debris to accumulate and clog it. The triangular foam wedges are normally 8 feet long and 5 inches broad.
While all the water freely flows into the gutters below, the foam collects debris. The installation and removal of these guards against the gutters are really simple, and they are also pretty affordable.
What benefits does a foam gutter guards offer?
Simple to install
A foam gutter guard is very easy to install and only requires that the piece of foam be trimmed to size and put into the gutter itself.
Inexpensive
They are a reasonably affordable gutter guard alternative since they are composed of basic foam materials and are therefore easy to produce. Because you can press the foam into the gutter without the assistance of a professional gutter guard installer, you also save a lot on labor costs.
What drawbacks exist with Foam gutter guards?
Demands routine replacement
Because they’re not produced from high-quality materials, these gutter guards don’t tend to last very long and must be replaced more frequently than other, more resilient varieties, like mesh guards.
Doesn’t perform well in a lot of rain
What transpires when a sponge is submerged in water? With time, it begins to flow out in all directions. Heavy rains tend to soak up in the foam of gutter guards, where they sit until the gutter can no longer contain the water, and it starts to overflow over the roof or over the side of the gutter edge.
Eventually, over time becomes more brittle
Over time, foam gutter guards have a tendency to dry up and become brittle, especially if they are exposed to the sun. This results in the guard breaking apart in the gutter and leaving foam debris when it is ultimately removed and replaced. This necessitates a higher level of cleanup.
Leaf debris becomes trapped
Foam gutter guards are porous, making it possible for tiny leaves, twigs, and seeds to become trapped within and greater harm than good. The wet quality of the foam creates the ideal environment for mold and seedlings to proliferate and spread when plants and seeds are placed in.
Factors to Consider While Choosing the Best Foam gutter guards
Material
Your gutter guard may require maintenance, repairs, or replacement sooner rather than later, depending on the material that was used to make it. Your gutter guards will last longer and cause fewer gutter issues in the future if they are made of higher-quality materials.
Size
By measuring your roof and knowing how much material you’ll need, you can purchase gutter guards that are the right size.
Visibility
Would you want a roof with the least amount of bulk possible, or are gutter guards that are visible from the ground vital to you? The answer to this question should assist you in choosing the gutter guard type and whether one is appropriate for you.
The best foam gutter guards protectors
The most popular foam inserts right now, such as the following:
Insert for GutterStuff GS K4 Foam Gutter Filters
The greatest Foam gutter guards protector GS K4 Foam Gutter Filter Insert. These K-style gutter guards are produced by the GutterStuff brand, which has been around for a while and comes in various sizes.
The GutterStuff Foam Gutter insert, once installed, will seal out all leaves while facilitating easy water flow. The guard is composed of poly ether outdoor foam, which is noted for having a long lifespan.
You may install the gutter guard with the GutterStuff GS K4 and clean it when there is a water flow issue.
You won’t have to worry about mold forming in your gutters or downspouts since the foam contains UV protectants and germicide. The finest option overall will be GutterStuff if you believe that this foam type of gutter protection is ideal for your house.
TGK540 Tidy Gutter Easy Foam K Style
The most cost-effective foam gutter guards protector is the Tidy Gutter Foam K Style. Although it might not be the most affordable option on the market, this gutter guard is towards the top of our list due to its durability and outstanding performance in torrential downpours. Your current gutter will be entirely sealed by the Tidy Gutter product, allowing plenty of water to pass through. The fact that these gutter guards have a 3-year guarantee is one of our favorite features. There aren’t many DIY-related products with such a robust warranty.
The TidyGutter will provide you with clean gutters and hide your gutter guard system from view from the ground. From the ground up, these are undetectable. Due to their visibility, some homeowners choose not to employ micro-mesh gutter guards; if this is a problem for you, Tidy Gutter would be a perfect option. Keep in mind that selecting a long-lasting choice is just as important as the initial cost when looking for value in a foam gutter guard.
Free Gutter Guard Flo
For a foam gutter guard, the Flo Free Gutter Guard has the greatest warranty. With this kind of protection, one to three years will be the typical warranty length. There is a lifetime warranty on the Flo-Free Gutter Guard. Any DIY gutter guard that comes with a lifetime guarantee is outstanding and shows that the manufacturer stands by its product.
The surface tension design of this gutter cover will keep it in place, making it one of the most inventive methods to prevent the trash from falling into your gutter. This has some advantages since it allows for a strong flow of rainfall to pass through and helps to force the leaves off the roof and into the ground.
FAQs
You can find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about gutter guards in the following sections if you’re still interested in learning more about how they operate and how to maintain them.
Do foam gutter guards contribute to ice damming?
By holding snow and ice inside the gutter, some gutter guards, such as reverse-curve guards, can exacerbate ice jams. The majority of gutter guards, however, work to avoid ice development by reducing the quantity of snow that enters the gutter system.
How do you clean your gutters without taking off the gutter guards?
Even if heavier material is kept out by gutter guards, gutter cleaning is still required. Gutter cleaning without removing gutter guards, just follow these easy instructions:
- To collect falling debris, use a drop cloth at the foot of the ladder.
- To stop the ladder from moving or falling, set it up and secure it.
- Continue until the storm water drainage system is totally clean, then go on to the following part of the gutter and repeat.
- To remove any extra dirt and other materials and to break up any clumps of tiny debris, with a hose or pressure washer, clean the gutters.
Does gutter protection extend beneath shingles?
Although different gutter guards need different installation techniques, certain items can be installed beneath the first or second row of tiles.
Do Foam gutter guards function in severe downpours?
The majority of gutter guards can easily handle heavy rain, while guards that are too clogged with leaves or sticks may struggle to pass the swiftly running water.
This is why it’s crucial to check and clean the gutters and the guards in the spring and autumn when the amount of surrounding foliage-related falling debris is at its worst.
How frequently should gutter guards be cleaned?
If the gutter guard’s top is kept substantially free of obstructions like branches and leaves, gutters with gutter guards don’t need to be cleaned out very frequently. A thorough cleaning once every two years usually keeps the main stormwater drainage system free of debris.
To avoid harm to the gutter system, check the gutter guards suggested for excessive debris in the spring and fall and check the gutters for ice dams in the winter.
