Can You Put Gutter Guards Under Shingles

Can Gutter Guards Cause Leaks

A gutter guard can cause leaks if you fail to maintain or install it correctly. You must clean your gutter guards regularly or your gutters could get clogged and damaged. Manufacturers and professionals recommend that you clean your gutters at least every 2 years if you have gutter guards.

Gutters with no protection are much more maintenance-intensive and you need to clean them twice per year. You should clean your gutters more than every 2 years even with gutter guards if you notice problems. This is especially true if you have several trees around your home that are close to your roof.

Even a fine mesh gutter guard cant protect your gutters entirely, but they can certainly help. Improper installation is the easiest way for a gutter guard to cause leaks. That is why professional installation is a great idea if you can afford the average $1,400 cost and have limited experience with gutters.

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+why Should You Choose 7

Various reasons make 7-inch gutter guards a wise choice. First of all, you should choose 7-inch gutter guards because they are highly durable and provide an enormous capacity to handle more rainwater. Hence, you ensure the safety of your gutter and roof systems, as well as the structure and the foundation of your house. Also, 7-inch gutter guards enable water re-usability by collecting a large amount of rainwater that can be used in gardens and yards. Last but not least, they successfully keep leaves and debris away from your gutter system so that they prevent clogging and over floating.

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Installing An Ineffective Gutter Guard

Think that wire mesh is going to provide total debris protection? Choosing the right gutter guard for your home is extremely important. Systems with large holes, gaps, and openings will only let debris in, while many do-it-yourself systems are flimsy and not backed by warranties. These types of systems prove to be only a temporary solution to a permanent problem. Youll likely have to climb the ladder multiple times a year to clean out what your gutter guard has let in.

Fortunately, LeafFilter Gutter Protection provides a permanent solution to clogged gutters. Once installed, youll never have to worry about cleaning your gutters again. Best of all, its backed by a lifetime, transferable warranty, so you can enjoy the peace of mind your gutters are protected for life.

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How Do I Avoid Shingle Lift

One of the most important considerations of our installation methodology is avoiding permanent shingle lift. It’s one reason why pitching the product consistent with the general pitch of the roof is encouraged.

The part of MasterShield that slips up under the shingles should not cause the shingles to bend or change how they currently lay on your roof, i.e., the back fin of MasterShield should stay on the same plane as the sub-roof. Thick, extruded products can’t do this and often angle the shingle away from the subroof.

Thanks, GAF, for weighing in on gutter covers and shingles. Boys, Myth Busted!

The Truth About Gutter Covers And Shingles

If you’re considering professionally installed gutter guard covers, GAF notes that everyone has their own specific application instructions that must be followed to obtain their maximum benefit. They then go on to say, “in almost all instances, the products are installed following good roofing practices and do not have an impact on the roofing manufacturer’s warranty.”

They suggest avoiding the following situations:

• penetrating the shingle with a fastener to hold the gutter cover in place
• removal and replacement of shingles for installation
• removal and elimination of drip edges
• installation under the underlayment
• placing the gutter cover under the felt underlayment
• significant bending of the shingles during installation

They also specifically answer the question, “Does installing Gutter Covers affect my warranty?” No, is the answer. They note that the GAF Limited Warranty only covers the shingles’ manufacturing defects and does not cover the gutter guard covers or damage due to their installation.

Do you hear stony silence from anyone? Thought you might. This myth has been busted, at least by some gutter covers. Several products DO fasten by penetrating the shingle for their fastening system, so do your homework and verify this point before choosing a system to install.

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The Importance Of Gutters

The quality of your roofing materials is only as good as your gutters. Seriously. If your gutters are clogged, then your roof is in danger of getting damaged. Gutter guards were designed to add an extra level of protection for your roof.

Maintaining your gutters is one of the best ways that you can ensure your roofs longevity. Plus, by investing in a quality gutter protection product and having a professional come to install it, you dont have to worry about your roofing warranty.

Even though most roof warranties have language that prohibits the installation of foreign objects on the roof, gutter guards are specialty products that are designed to protect your roof and are acceptable additions to your roof .

How Are Gutter Guards Attached

Gutter guards are generally attached with screws and the installation is easy. You can slide gutter guards over a gutter without any effort in most cases as long as it fits well. Gutter guards vary from brand to brand, but they often come with screws and or rivets to secure them in place.

Simply attach the screws or rivets at the allotted points on your gutter guards to attach them. It is important to secure gutter guards with screws, rivets, or nails to get the best performance. Otherwise, debris and leaves could easily get into your gutter which would render the guard useless.

Some gutter guards dont require nails or screws at all which saves time on installation. Always secure gutter guards with nails and screws if the manufacturer suggests it, however. Otherwise, the gutter guards could potentially blow away with the wind.

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Is It Okay To Put Gutter Guards Under Shingles

Other gutter protection systems require installation under the first row of shingles. This can break your roof’s water barrier and cause costly water damage in the future.

Other gutter protection systems require installation under the first row of shingles. This can break your roof’s water barrier and cause costly water damage in the future. If a gutter guard requires you to lift the roof tiles, avoid it at all costs. You never want to install gutter guards on a dirty and clogged system because it can negate the effectiveness of your new gutter protectors.

The gutter guards are installed so that some can be removed, in case the gutter needs to be hosed out from time to time. Consequently, because gutter protectors slide directly into your gutter system, you don’t need to place them under the shingles to secure them in place. However, these types of gutter protectors can still allow smaller debris to build up, which can clog the gutter system. Gutter guards can be an effective part of any rain gutter system, as they work to filter debris, leaves and sand from shingles, preventing blockages and protecting your home from damage.

References

Why Trust House Method Our Gutter Ranking Methodology

At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. Weve done the homework for you and have researched over 50 gutter guards so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home. Thats why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each gutter guard and gutter guard provider company according to our gutter ranking methodology.

We also dug into the details of each gutter guard to ensure that you could make the best decisions for your home and keep your gutters debris-free for years to come.

To make the most of our research, we developed a formula to objectively determine the best gutter guards based on the following criteria:

Disclosure: HouseMethod participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program is designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Hanging Christmas Lights From A Shingle Roof

The most likely solution is to use plastic clips and there are an array of clip options: hooks, clips that clip on to individual bulbs, clips that clip on to the cord, roof peak, etc.

This is an omni clip it works across shingles and gutters and its a very budget-friendly option. This one fits C5, C6, C7, C9, mini, and icicle lights and comes in either packs of 400 or 100. Just lift the shingle up slightly and slide the flat part underneath. Note that if lights will point in different directions depending on if you attach it to a gutter or a shingle: up if its on a shingle, out if on a gutter.

When theyre attached to the shingle its really easy to uninstall by just pulling them straight out from the roof.

This is another very similar option.

Do Gutter Guards Damage Shingles

Nailed to the Roof Some gutter protectors will require you to nail the system to the roof. We can’t dwell enough on how bad this is for your roof. This will cause damage to the roof, and the shingles will no longer do their job of properly protecting your home from water ingress. Many great gutter guards require installation under the first row of shingles, but this is generally not the best option.

Installing gutter protectors under shingles breaks the roof’s watertight barrier and can cause water damage. It is usually best to install gutter protectors on top of shingles. Remember how we said there were warnings? If you took the DIY route or had an unlicensed gutter company install your gutter protectors, they could void your warranty if they weren’t installed properly and your roof was damaged. Now that we know Rhino gutter guards won’t void your roof warranty, let’s talk about what they’re designed for.

Not only do they protect the roof from damage, but they also help keep the warranty in place by not allowing water to damage the shingles or roof. Basically, by keeping the gutters free of debris that could clog them, rainwater will not end up flooding down the sides of the gutters and soaking into the edge of the roof. If this happens, the wood will eventually rot and the shingles will not have a solid base to attach to. In addition, if the gutters are not working properly, other parts of the roofing system may be affected.

References

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Why You Need To Skip Those Gutter Guards

Gutters play a vital role in protecting your roof. Without them, or when they are clogged, water will damage fascia boards over time and can get back up under shingles. Beyond your roof, proper water drainage is important to protect the rest of your home:

• The soil around the house is stabilized
• Foundation problems can be avoided
• Flooding under houses and in basements can be prevented
• Erosion can be prevented and this preserves landscaping and turf
• Water damage to siding can be prevented
• Water staining on brick and stone masonry can be prevented
• Settling and cracking of sidewalks, patios, and driveways can be lessened
• Exterior doors and garage overhead doors can be preserved

~Square House

In an effort to have their gutters cleaned less often and decrease required maintenance, many homeowners opt to install gutter guards. These, however, dont usually solve the need to clean your gutters and, when they do need to be cleaned, make it more difficult.

The 9 Best Gutter Guards Of 2022

Gutter guards are a vital component of any functioning gutter system. They keep debris and pests out of your gutters and downspouts, allowing rainwater to be effectively channeled away from your home. Gutter guards will reduce cleaning frequency for your gutters, prevent water damage to your fascia and roof, and protect the surrounding landscaping by extension.

To help you pick the best gutter guards for your home, weve thoroughly reviewed and tested nine of the leading options currently available. Each gutter guard has been evaluated in-house for durability, curb appeal, resistance to different types of debris, and cost. Read our product reviews to find the best gutter guard for your home and budget.

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Mastershield Doesnt Always Go Under Your Shingles Further Protecting Roof Shingle Warranties

If your MasterShield dealer comes up against a situation where going under your roof shingles did not make sense, then they have several other installation options. MasterShield can also be installed directly onto your fascia and can be done in such a way that it becomes an extension of your drip edge. When this installation method is used, the installation can also protect your fascia board from being exposed to water.

MasterShield can also be installed by bending the back on a special tool called a break to create a wedge with the back of the product. This allows the product to sit on your gutter. This wedge can be created to have greater pitch than other systems so that the product doesnt create a shelf and still self-cleans more efficiently from debris, a key consideration when choosing a gutter guard.

So, whose word are you going to take about roof shingle warranties? We suggest the manufacturer since they dont have any skin in the game.

Gutter Guards

The Problem With Gutter Guards

In the Pacific Northwest with all of our tree species, we get a mix of broadleaf varieties and fir trees. That means plenty of leaf and tree litter which can easily get through the gutter guards or screens and more than can completely cover them so water cannot get through.

While there are varieties of guards which will help prevent leaves from covering them by using a curved design, that design creates a different problem. Small twigs and other debris can create a dam by building up against the raised portion of the guard.

Even if the gutter guards work as intended, there is still the issue of moss and algae growth. As long as a small amount of leaf material makes its way into the gutters, it creates the perfect growing environment for lichen and moss. Left unchecked, it will continue to grow. As it does, it can block downspouts or break free and clogged them.

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How Do Gutter Guards Work

Gutter guards work by keeping various types of debris from interrupting the water flow in your gutter system. The gutter guard system fits inside or on top of your existing gutters and uses a filter to prevent large or small debris from clogging gutters and downspouts. Although gutter guards dont eliminate the need for cleaning, they significantly reduce the frequency.

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What To Consider When Installing Gutter Guards On Shingle Roofs

We explain why our Triple-G gutter guard is usually the best option for roofs with slate, asphalt, wooden and terracotta shingles.

In Australian roofing, the word shinglesis used to describe roofs with small, overlapping rectangle-shaped tiles that normally lay flat. The most common shingles in Melbourne are slate shingles, which are made from stone, though occasionally roofs will also have terracotta or wooden shingles. Top quality slate shingles can last hundreds of years, requiring less maintenance than other roof types. However, installing a gutter guard on them can be tricky. While shingle roofs may be durable when untouched, they are quite delicate once other fittings come into play. During the gutter guard selection and installation process, care must be taken, and one must be mindful of the special requirements of shingle roofs.

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The Result Of Flat Gutter Guards: Overflow & Rot

With flat gutter shields, rather than being washed off, most debris will wash down the pitched roof and catch at the bottom of the roofline. When a mat of organic debris, pollen and grime builds up on a flat guard, any additional water that flows down the roof will hit the top of the pile because its heavier. The water cant go through the mat, which leaves only two possibilities: it will go backward, dripping down behind the gutters and onto the fascia board, or it will spill over the front of the gutters. Very little water will filter through the debris and into the gutters.

As debris continues to pile up against the fascia board, water will leech backward, which will cause the fascia and decking to begin to rot. If not removed, within two to three years, this layer of waterlogged debris can lead to significant damage.

Leave Installation To The Pros At Leaffilter Gutter Protection

As you can see, gutters and gutter protection systems are more complicated than you may think. Your gutters have to be properly inspected and free of holes and sags prior to installation. Plus, installing the wrong type of gutter guard can create even more issues and headaches down the road.

Get total debris protection with LeafFilter Gutter Protection and let our pros handle it all. Our installation team will clean, realign, and reseal your gutters, so they are in peak performance prior to installing our award-winning gutter protection system. Learn more about LeafFilter and request your free estimate today.

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