How to Install a Gutter Leaf Guard

With autumn on the horizon it's time to say goodbye to the beautiful leaves on the trees. However, they don't just fall to the ground. If your trees are at all close to your house, chances are they're going to clog your gutters. One great way to prevent that is to install a gutter leaf guard, which acts almost like a colander, keeping the debris out while letting the rain go through. This is a guide to doing just that.

First, you have to decide what kind of gutter guard you want. Plastic is the least expensive, but it has the tendency to crack. Aluminum is slightly more expensive, but is more durable. You can purchase your gutter leaf guard at most hardware stores or larger stores like Wal-Mart, Home Depot, or Lowe's. In addition, because the holes in the different guards vary, so make sure to choose one that's small enough to where leaves can't become lodged within them, but big enough to allow rain to run through them even when they're crowded with debris.

Then, make sure that your gutters are clean of any and all debris. Enjoy it while it lasts, because this just might be your last time to do a thorough gutter clean. Then run water throughout the clean gutter to ensure that there are no cracks or holes in it.

Next, measure your gutters so that you know how many feet of gutter guard to buy. Measure them twice in order to ensure accuracy. It's also a good idea to buy a little extra in case you make a mistake in cutting or installing.

Next, cut your gutter guard material into pieces that fit the height and width of your gutters. You don't have to keep the material in one long sheet to lie on top of your gutters -it would be totally impractical to drag that up a ladder. Instead, cut them into segments and once they're installed, use pliers to attach the wires together.

Now it's time for the actual installation. Climb up your ladder with a piece of gutter guard and slide one side under the bottom shingles of your roof. Slide the other side over the edge of your gutter and snap it on tightly. Repeat this process until you've covered the tops of all your gutters with the gutter guards -remember to connect the separate pieces together and don't let any space exist between them.

When all that is completed, you're finished!