Do Gutter Guards Work in Heavy Rain?

During heavy rainstorms, many homeowners find themselves facing the frustrating problem of overflowing gutters.

The sight of water cascading over the edges of the gutter system can be not only unsightly but also damaging to the property. Clogged gutters not only fail to handle heavy rain effectively but also pose a threat to the structural integrity of a home or building.

Enter gutter guards, an innovative solution designed to prevent debris from entering and clogging gutters. But just how effective are gutter guards in heavy rain?

Do Gutter Guards Work in Heavy Rain?

It comes down to the particular type of gutter guards in question. Some gutter guard products are more than capable of handling the heaviest of rainfalls, while others can leave much to be desired. 

Take foam gutter guards for example. Foam gutter guards are one of the more popular products on the market due to their affordability and ease of installation. 

Foam guards are made from porous material designed to fit snugly inside the gutters, serving as a barrier against leaves and debris while allowing water to flow through.

However, foam gutter guards can become saturated with water quickly during downpours, leading to water overflowing from the gutters rather than flowing through them. Additionally, debris tends to accumulate in large quantities on top of the foam. Meaning if you aren’t on top of your maintenance, foam guards will absolutely not work in heavy rain. 

Micro mesh, screen, and perforated metal gutter guards are far better solutions and have proven to be more effective in handling heavy rainfall.

Though as great as some gutter guards perform in heavy rainfall, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that gutter guards are only part of the equation. 

Why Do My Gutters Overflow in Heavy Rain?

During heavy rain, it is not uncommon for gutters to overflow and cause water damage to your home. Understanding why gutters overflow in heavy rain is crucial in finding an effective solution, such as the use of gutter guards, to prevent this problem.

Clogged Gutters

One main reason for overflowing gutters in heavy rain is the accumulation of debris such as leaves, twigs, and dirt. When these materials enter your gutter system, they can clog the downspouts or obstruct the flow of water through the gutter channels.

As a result, water begins to back up and overflow from the gutters rather than being efficiently directed away from your home’s foundation.

Size of Your Gutters

Another primary factor that contributes to overflowing gutters in heavy rain is inadequate gutter capacity.

If your gutters are not large enough they may struggle to handle a significant influx of water during intense rainfall. 

Did you know that 6-inch gutters can carry away nearly 50% more water than their 5-inch counterparts? That is a massive difference when talking about possible reasons for overflow. We wrote all about which size gutters are best for your home, be sure to check that article out to determine if the size of your gutters is the issue.

Slope of Your Roof

Is your home’s roof super steep? If yes, this is another culprit for overflow in heavy rainfall. Because the steeper the pitch, or slope of your roof, the faster water is going to flow down the roof towards your gutters. 

And say for example your home has 5-inch gutters and a very steep roof like a 10/12 or above, there is a very high chance that 1) the 5-inch gutter can’t handle the rainfall and 2) the rainfall will overshoot the gutter due to how fast it flows down the roof. 

Slope of Your Gutters

Whenever new gutters are installed, they should have a slight downward angle towards the downspout. If the slope of the gutters is not properly calibrated, then there is a good chance that water is accumulating and not optimally flowing to the downspout.

Low-Quality Gutter Guards

As we mentioned early, certain gutter guard products are just purely inadequate. If we had to give you a few to stay away from, foam and brush gutter guards would be at the top of the list. 

What Are the Best Gutter Guards for Heavy Rain

So now you know that gutter guards are only one part of the equation when it comes to heavy rain, however, a quality gutter guard will unequivocally work in heavy rain. At Gutter Dunn, we firmly stand behind the gutter protection products from Alu-Rex.

For Existing Gutters – Gutter Clean System

If you’re looking for a gutter guard for your current eavestrough system, look no further than the Gutter Clean System (GCS) from Alu-Rex.

The Gutter Clean System is a perforated metal gutter guard (aluminum) that strikes the perfect balance between maximum water drainage and debris protection. 

The GCS is capable of draining 29.7 inches (755mm) of water per hour, the GCS does not clog, and if that wasn’t enough, Alu-Rex stands so firmly behind the GCS that they offer a 40-year clog-free warranty. 

So if your home has the proper size gutters installed, and more importantly, they were installed correctly to funnel water to the downspout, then you can rest assured that the GCS will thrive in the heaviest of rainfalls. 

And if your gutters themselves are the issue, and your home requires new gutters, we’ve got an even better solution for you!

For New Gutters – Double Pro or T-Rex

The Continuous Hanger System is far and away the most advanced eavestrough system on the market. 

The T-Rex and Double Pro utilize a continuous hanger that fastens the gutter system securely to your home along the entire length of the gutter. This design completely eliminates any weak points in the gutter, giving them superior durability and longevity that traditional gutter systems can’t compete with. 

The T-Rex system can drain 29,7” (754mm) of water per hour while the Double Pro can drain 40.6” (1031mm) of water per hour per linear foot. 

Both systems include perforated metal gutter guards, with the Double Pro including two layers of perforated aluminum that makes it possible to drain three times more water than ever recorded in the heaviest of storms. 

And if all that wasn’t enough T-Rex is backed by a 40-year clog-free warranty and a lifetime manufacturer warranty. The Double Pro is backed by a lifetime warranty on materials, durability, and clog-free performance. The Double Pro’s clog-free warranty even extends to cover pine areas. 

Conclusion

When it comes to determining whether gutter guards work in heavy rain, the answer is that yes, they do.

However, it’s not a black and white question/answer. There are qualities about the gutter itself that need to be taken into account before questioning if gutter guards will work in heavy rain. 

Does your home have the right size gutters installed? What is the slope of your roof? Of your gutter? Are you using a high-quality gutter guard? These all need to be taken into consideration.

At Gutter Dunn, we’ve been protecting homes in Edmonton from water damage for over 15 years! We’ve installed countless gutter guard systems that will not only perform in heavy rain, but the harsh winters as well. 

If you’re interested in gutter guards for your existing gutter system, or looking to get your home fit with new gutters, give our expert eavestrough team in Edmonton a call today!