Gutter Guards vs. Gutter Cleaning: Which One’s Better for My Home?

In this post, we’ll cover:

✅ What gutter guards really do (and don’t)\

✅ How they compare to professional gutter cleanings

✅ The real cost difference over time

✅ When guards are worth it—and when they’re not

🛡️ What Are Gutter Guards, Really?

Gutter guards (also called gutter covers or screens) are designed to keep leaves, pine needles, roof grit, and other debris out of your gutters—so water can flow freely through your system.

But not all gutter guards are created equal. Some work great in certain climates… and fail miserably in others.

🔧 What We Use at Dunzo Gutters

After testing dozens of systems across Sacramento homes, we’ve found two that actually hold up year after year:

1. Leaf Blaster Pro (Micro-Mesh)

2. • Stainless steel screen blocks even the finest debris

   • Handles heavy rain, roof runoff, and windblown leaves

   • Resistant to rust, clogging, and sun damage

   • Comes with a 40-year warranty from the manufacturer

3. K-Style Lock-On Guard System

4. • Ideal for 5" or 6" K-style gutters (most homes use these)

   • Locks on securely without interfering with shingles

   • Fast to install, easy to clean, and incredibly durable

👉 We don’t just offer these—we stand behind them. They’ve been field-tested across hundreds of Sacramento roofs with consistent success.

❌ Why We Don’t Recommend Most Other Gutter Guards

• Foam Inserts: Cheap to install, but degrade fast and clog even faster

• Brush Guards: Trap debris more than they block it

• Reverse Curve Guards: Okay for volume, but bad for small debris like roof grit

Bottom line? If a guard doesn’t keep water moving or makes cleaning harder, it’s a no-go.

🧽 What You’re Actually Paying For with Gutter Cleaning

Some homeowners think gutter cleaning is just a guy with a ladder and a leaf blower. But if you hire a professional service (like us), you get a lot more:

• Full system inspection with photo documentation

• Manual removal of debris from gutters AND downspouts

• Water testing to confirm drainage

• Identification of minor repairs or gutter sag

• 30-day no-clog guarantee on every cleaning

In most cases, you only need 1–2 cleanings a year to keep your system in good shape.

And that’s a lot easier to stomach than replacing rotted fascia or repairing foundation cracks from water damage 💸

💰 Gutter Guards vs. Gutter Cleaning: The 5-Year Cost Breakdown

Let’s talk numbers. Here’s what you’re likely to spend over 5 years:

Option

Upfront Cost

Ongoing Cost

5-Year Total

Leaf Blaster Pro + Install

$1,800–$2,500

~$150/year check-up

$2,550–$3,250

Annual Gutter Cleaning

$250–$350 per cleaning

1–2x per year

$1,250–$3,500

So what’s the better choice?

💡 It depends on your roofline, tree coverage, and whether you want lower effort or lower cost.

✅ When Gutter Guards Make Sense

You should strongly consider guards if:

• 🌳 Your home is surrounded by shedding trees (oak, pine, maple, etc.)

• 🧗 You have a two-story home or steep/pitched roof

• 🧹 You’re tired of frequent cleanings (or don’t want to hire someone regularly)

• 🏡 You’re planning to stay in your home 5+ years

• 🛠️ You want to protect your fascia, siding, and foundation long-term

In these cases, Leaf Blaster Pro + annual checkups may save you money, risk, and time.

❌ When Professional Gutter Cleaning Is Better

Skip the guards (for now) and stick with cleanings if:

• 🍃 You only get light leaf fall during certain seasons

• 🪜 You have a low-slope or single-story roof that’s easy to access

• 📉 You’re on a tighter home maintenance budget

• 🏠 You’re not planning to live in the home more than a few years

With Dunzo, we’ll give you a cleaning + photo report + performance check every time. No guessing, no surprises, no pressure.

🤔 So… What’s Right for Your Home?

Here’s our approach:

We come out. We look at your system. We show you photos. And we tell you the truth—whether that’s guards, cleaning, or both.

No pushy sales pitch. Just an honest conversation based on facts, experience, and what works in Sacramento.

📲 Ready to Find Out What’s Best for Your Gutters?

👉 Get a free on-site inspection from the pros at Dunzo Gutters. We’ll give you the real answer—and the right solution.

🔗 Schedule My Inspection Now: https://dunzogutters.com/virtual-inspections/