Hey Hometalkers, here's a question for ya.

A lot of folks focus on gutter cleaning this time of year. Most want to do less of it and are considering gutter guards. Question is, are they worth the cost?
Whether you clean your gutters yourself, or invest in one of the many types of gutter guards, one thing is certain: cleaning your gutters is a good idea. Besides allowing water to overflow in a heavy rain, there are a dozen or more severe home defects that can be caused by blocked gutters, including flooded basements and cracked foundations (see list here: http://www.moneypit.com/article/gutter-cleaning-tips-avoid-major-repairs)

Do-it-yourself gutter cleaning is simple enough, but it can be a dangerous job for the untrained weekend warrior. In the alternative, there are many types of gutter guard systems on the market to choose from, and all of them offer some sort of protection for your gutter at different costs.

For starters, hardware stores and home centers sell simple plastic or metal screens that cost as little as $1 per foot. But premium gutter guards are also available. These can cost as much as $25 per foot, including labor and materials, and generally are only available through an authorized dealer.

So are gutter guards really worth it? Like most home improvement adventures, we think it comes down to cost and convenience. While premium gutters guards can be costly, most are effective and a bargain when you add in the cost of any emergency room visits necessitated when adding your own personal spin on the season known as Fall!
Do you have gutter guards on your house? If so, we'd love to hear what kind you have and whether they really work!