Gutters should be kept free of leaves and other debris, otherwise water will back up at the downspouts, filling them up. When this happens, the weight can dislodge or bend the gutters. And, if the gutters are made from sheet metal, they will rust over time.
Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts at least twice a year. If you have this done professionally, expect to pay about $95 to $125 for a single-story, 2,500-square-foot house and more for a two-story or larger house.
As an alternative, you may want to consider a leaf-catching system that filters leaves and debris from the water. Several types are manufactured, each based on a slightly different principle. The best way to check out a system is to request the names and phone numbers of satisfied customers and give them a call. But keep in mind that even protected gutters will need to be cleaned on occasion. For this reason, you want to be clear about the ease of removing the leaf-catching devices (some are screwed in place; others are tucked under shingles).
When it comes to the cost of a leaf-catching system, some are more expensive than the gutters themselves. Installed, Gutter Helmet costs about $9 per lineal foot; Waterloov is about $7.50 per foot; and Leafguard runs about $7 per foot. Rainhandler, a device that eliminates the gutter entirely by dispersing water into a spray, costs about $22 for a 5-foot section. On the other hand, if you can’t keep up with your gutter-cleaning chores, these systems may save your house from serious water damage.
