Gutter helmets help protect your gutter system from clogs by making it difficult or impossible for anything other than rainwater to enter the gutters. It’s easy to think that protecting your gutters from unwanted debris is only a concern in autumn, when the leaves are falling, or in the winter, when freezing temperatures can lead to a buildup of ice inside the gutters that can clog them up. But your gutters need protection in the spring as well. Take a look at some things you need to know about protecting your gutter system this spring.

Spring Showers

Spring rains can propel leaves and twigs into your gutters.

Leaves may not be falling on their own as much in the spring as they do in the fall, but those April showers that you experience can bring storm debris with them. Leaves, pine needles, sticks and twigs, and even bee nests are just some of the debris that can be carried onto your roof during a rainstorm.

To complicate matters even more, the cold weather may not be quite done yet. A surprise drop in temperature can lead to an unexpected freeze. Water and debris can freeze inside your gutter system, creating a dense ball of ice that may not melt easily even once the temperatures have returned to normal.

Downspout Dilemmas

Your gutters aren’t the only thing that you have to worry about. Even if your gutters are free of clogs, debris or ice can get stuck in your downspouts. These clogs can be harder to recognize than clogs in your gutters. For one thing, you can’t look inside your downspouts to see if there is a pine cone, a clump of leaves, or a ball of ice clogging up the works.

When your downspouts are clogged, the water from a rainstorm will back up into your gutters, and then spill out over the sides of the gutters. Your gutter system is designed to divert water away from your home’s foundation and siding, and to guide the water in a way that prevents erosion of your lawn. When the water spills out over the sides of the gutters because of a clog in the downspout, you run the risk of water damage to your home or lawn.

Usually, you can clear a clog in the downspout by using a plumber’s snake to loosen the clog and a hose to wash out debris. However, it’s preferable to avoid these clogs in the first place.

Infestation Issues

Baby birds are cute — when they aren’t in your gutters.

Spring is also the time of year when you’re most likely to experience infestations in your gutters. It’s breeding season for everything from bugs and spiders to rodents, birds, and various small nuisance animals. Anything that causes water to back up in your gutters can increase your chances of an infestation, because standing water often encourages wildlife to set up shop in your gutters.

Cleaning an infestation out of your gutter system can be even more complicated than getting rid of an ordinary clog, and you may need professional help to do it safely. You don’t want to get stung or bitten. Removing an active bird’s nest is even more complicated – without a permit, you may be required to wait for a month or six weeks until the birds decide to move on.

Gutter helmets prevent clogs from building up in your gutters or finding their way to your downspouts, and they also keep bugs and wildlife from having the room they need to move into your gutters. If you’re in need of a gutter helmet this spring, visit our website or contact us at 1-800-975-6666 to get a free estimate