To Cover or Not To Cover?

Keeping the pristine condition of your house is not as easy as washing the dishes, feeding your pets or keeping the plants watered everyday. Maintenance of a home comes in different aspects – from the paint, sanitation, plumbing and the foundation – those are just a few. It is easy to do the basics: cleaning, washing, sweeping and all, but there are just a number of “maintenance rituals” that a house shouldn't be neglected of.

One good example is the gutter system. It is undoubtedly an essential part of the house, as it keeps the latter protected from certain forces of nature – water, debris, even pests. The gutter system collects the water when it comes down to the roof; and with the help of fascia boards, soffits and downspouts – it keeps the house dry. However, no matter how big the gutter system's role is – it's still one of the most neglected parts of the household.

A good innovation introduced to household maintenance is the gutter cover. The gutter cover ensures that no matter how much the water and debris the roof gets, it prevents the gutter from being clogged. There's a wide variety of gutter covers available nowadays. The reverse curved type, steel mesh, brush and sponge. Each kind works well, depending on the surroundings and the debris the roof will get.

But there are divided opinions about gutter covers. There are several complaints and frustrated home owners that express disappointment about certain products. Some would say that gutter covers don't work, as it still requires cleaning and regular maintenance. Some would also say that gutter covers only worsened their roof problems, and a waste of money. Some expect too much on some guarantees, and depends too much on the promise that they won't clean their gutters again. It can be a promising line, but let's face reality – it's not true.

Gutters, gutter covers, and downspouts will always need regular maintenance. In order for them to work excellent as a unit, the owner must take responsibility in keeping it clog-free, and always checked for damage. No matter how big the investment one had on a gutter system, there will come a time that it will need attention. If some people would say that gutter covers don't work, it's best that they reconsider first what they say. One would choose to regularly check the gutters and its covers for any issues, rather than pay more on the damages water and debris have done. A ruined paint job is worse than a tiring day of removing leaves and other debris.

No matter how good a gutter cover product is, we still need to provide regular maintenance to it as well. It's better to have your gutters covered, and no one can agree more than this.