What Are Brush Gutter Guards?
Brush gutter guards are an innovative solution for homeowners looking to protect their gutters from debris while maintaining proper water flow. These cylindrical brushes sit inside your gutters and their stiff bristles block leaves, twigs, and other large debris while allowing water to pass through. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of brush gutter guards and help you determine if they’re the right choice for your home.
Understanding Brush Gutter Guards
Brush gutter guards are designed to keep your gutters clean and functioning properly. These simple yet effective devices can save you time and effort on gutter maintenance while protecting your home from water damage.
How Brush Gutter Guards Work
Brush gutter guards consist of a wire core or shaft with bristles extending outward. These brushes fill the entire gutter, leaving no room for large debris. As leaves and twigs fall onto the gutter, they slide off the brush and onto the ground. Meanwhile, the bristles allow water to flow freely through the gutter and down the downspouts.
Materials Used in Brush Gutter Guards
A brush gutter guard’s core is typically made of galvanized steel wire, providing durability and resistance to rust. The bristles, however, are often made from one of these materials:
- Metal wire: Usually stainless steel, offering superior durability and longevity
- Polypropylene: A sturdy, UV-resistant plastic that’s flexible and easy to clean
Your bristle material choice can affect the guard’s performance, lifespan, and maintenance requirements.
Types of Brush Gutter Guards
There are two main types of brush gutter guards, each with its own characteristics and benefits.
Metal Wire Bristle Guards
Metal wire bristle guards offer superior strength and longevity compared to their plastic counterparts. These guards typically use stainless steel bristles, which provide several benefits, including the following:
- Better performance against heavy debris
- Exceptional durability and resistance to wear
- Improved stability in extreme weather conditions
- Longer lifespan, often lasting 5–10 years or more
However, metal wire bristles do have some drawbacks. They can potentially scratch painted gutters and are more difficult to remove and clean than plastic alternatives.
Polypropylene Bristle Guards
Polypropylene bristle guards are popular for their versatility and ease of use. These guards feature heavy-duty, UV-resistant plastic bristles that are pliable and less likely to scratch your gutters. Key advantages include the following:
- Ability to bend around corners without damaging bristles
- Easy installation and removal
- Less expensive than metal alternatives
- Simple to clean with a hose
However, polypropylene bristles may not be as durable as metal options and could require more frequent replacement in harsh climates.
Pros and Cons of Brush Gutter Guards
Brush gutter protection systems are popular for homeowners who prefer DIY home improvement projects. We’ll outline the pros and cons of brush gutter guards below to help you decide whether they’re right for your home.
Pros
The main advantages of brush gutter guards stem from how simple they are to use. Consider the following benefits:
- Affordable: Brush guards cost between $3.00 and $4.25 per linear foot, making them less expensive than higher-end options such as reverse-curve guards.* You can also install them yourself as a DIY gutter guard project to save on labor costs.
- Easy to install: Brush guards are easy to install by yourself. You’ll need to measure your gutters and order brushes that fit accordingly. Then, you can cut the brushes to the proper length with shears or wire cutters. The guards sit inside the gutters, so you don’t need any tools or fasteners.
- Eco-friendly: These gutter guards are made from recyclable and renewable materials. The wire bristle products are particularly long-lasting and easy to recycle. They also don’t release chemicals into the groundwater.
- Simple to remove: When it’s time to clean the guards, you can easily remove them without any special tools, rinse them off with a hose, and reinsert them.
*Cost data in this article was sourced from Angi.
Cons
Consider the following drawbacks as you shop around for the right gutter guards:
- Not ideal for heavy debris: The bristles will give way under heavy, large debris such as thick twigs or waterlogged leaves. Even wire bristles can get squashed down with heavy loads.
- Potential for ice damming: If you live in a cold region with heavy snowstorms, brush guards can encourage ice dams to grow. Snow will sit on top of the bristles, trapping melted ice and snow on your roof.
- Regular cleaning required: Brush guards block most debris, but some will stick to the bristles. You must regularly inspect and rinse out the bristles to prevent this.
- Some debris can still collect: Brush gutter guards may let small debris such as dirt, pine needles, and microplants accumulate. The bristles won’t catch everything and their effectiveness varies based on the trees around your roofline.
Installing Brush Gutter Guards
Installing brush gutter guards is a relatively simple process that many homeowners can tackle as a DIY project. However, professional installation is also an option for those who prefer expert assistance.
DIY Installation Process
To install brush gutter guards yourself, follow these steps:
- Measure your gutters to determine the length of guards you’ll need.
- Purchase brush guards that fit your gutter size.
- Clean your gutters thoroughly before installation.
- Cut the brush guards to the appropriate length using wire cutters.
- Place the brush guards inside the gutters, ensuring a snug fit.
- Bend the guards around corners as needed.
Remember to wear gloves and use caution when working on a ladder.
Professional Installation Options
If you are uncomfortable with DIY installation or have a complex gutter system, consider hiring a professional. Many gutter companies offer brush guard installation services. Professional installation ensures proper fit and often only takes a single day.
Maintaining Brush Gutter Guards
Proper maintenance is key to ensuring your brush gutter guards’ longevity and effectiveness.
Cleaning Brush Gutter Guards
Follow these steps to keep your brush guards functioning optimally:
- Inspect them visually at least twice a year, or after severe storms.
- Remove the guards from the gutters.
- Shake off loose debris.
- Rinse the brushes with a high-pressure hose setting to dislodge stuck debris.
- Clean the gutter interior.
- Reinsert the clean guards into the gutters.
When To Replace Brush Gutter Guards
Brush gutter guards typically last 5–10 years, but their lifespan can vary based on climate and maintenance. Signs that it’s time to replace your guards include the following:
- Decreased effectiveness in blocking debris
- Flattened or missing bristles
- Frayed polypropylene bristles
- Rusted wire cores
As your guards approach the 5-year mark, begin annual inspections to assess their condition and performance.
Comparing Brush Guards to Other Gutter Protection Systems
While brush guards are effective, let’s explore how they stack up against other gutter protection options.
Brush Guards vs. Foam Gutter Guards
Like brush guards, foam gutter guards are affordable and sit inside the gutter. They use water-permeable foam to block debris while allowing water through. Compared to brush guards, foam guards offer the following benefits and drawbacks:
- Can be more difficult to clean
- Easier to install
- May be more effective at blocking small debris
- Typically have a shorter lifespan (2–3 years)
Brush Guards vs. Mesh and Screen Guards
Mesh and screen guards sit on top of gutters and use small holes to filter debris. In comparison to brush guards, these systems come with the following pros and cons:
- Can be more expensive
- May be more visible from the ground
- May require professional installation
- More effective at blocking small debris such as pine needles
Brush Guards vs. Reverse-Curve Guards
Reverse-curve guards use surface tension to direct water into the gutter while allowing debris to fall off. Compared to brush guards, reverse-curve systems have the following qualities:
- May be more noticeable on your roofline
- More effective at keeping out all types of debris
- Require professional installation
- Significantly more expensive
Our Conclusion
Brush gutter guards offer a simple, affordable solution for homeowners looking to reduce gutter maintenance and protect against clogs. Their easy installation and eco-friendly materials make them an attractive option. However, they may not be ideal for all situations, particularly in areas with heavy debris or extreme weather conditions.
Before deciding, carefully consider your specific needs, climate, and budget. While brush guards can be effective for many homes, comparing them with other gutter guard types may help you find the best solution for your property. The right gutter protection system can save you time, money, and potential headaches in the long run.
FAQ About What Are Brush Gutter Guards
What are brush gutter guards made of?
Brush gutter guards are made of a metal wire core. They employ either metal wire or polypropylene bristles and look like bottle brushes.
What is a gutter brush used for?
Gutter brushes stop debris and leaves before they build up inside your gutters. These brushes occupy gutter interiors while still allowing water flow.
Is gutter foam better than gutter brushes?
Gutter foam may be better than gutter brushes depending on where you live, what tree types you have, your budget, and how much time you can invest in maintenance tasks.
How long does a gutter brush last?
A gutter brush can last between 5 and 10 years. Damage may start developing in 3 years if you live in a harsh climate or near trees that produce lots of leaves.
Are brush gutter guards easy to install?
Brush gutter guards are easy to install. Homeowners can quickly cut them to size and insert them into gutters without any tools.
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