Are gum trees creating havoc by clogging your gutters with leaves and debris? Protecting your home with the right gutter guard is essential, especially when dealing with the prolific shedding of gum trees.
So, what is the best gutter guard type for gum trees? An integrated gutter mesh system, or gutter guard system, is most effective for gum trees. Its effectiveness is due to the hole size, which prevents small seeds from penetrating the mesh, and the system’s ski slope design, which encourages shedding leaves, twigs, and bark to fall to the ground.
But we understand the confusion you might be feeling. With so many options available, finding the right gutter guard solution for your home can be overwhelming. Discover the best gutter guards designed to keep your gutters clean and your home safe.
What is a gutter guard?
In the simplest form, a gutter guard is a unique product that is able to protect your gutter from becoming blocked by dirt, grime, or other debris. There are various different styles of gutter guard on the market, but some of the most common options include:
Speak to us about a gutter cleaning.
Integrated Gutter Mesh System
This form of guard works very similarly to the standard mesh panels, but rather than affixing to your roof, the guard slots directly into the guttering system, similar to the foam inserts or brush guards.
Thanks to the small holes within the mesh, integrated mesh guards can prevent the vast majority of debris from entering your guttering while still allowing rainwater to flow through it freely. However, Integrated mesh guards require a more permanent installation on your roof and gutter.
To learn more about why an integrated gutter mesh is the most effective gutter guard on the Australian market, read our article “What’s the best gutter guard in Australia?”
Brush Gutter guards
Brush gutter guards are one of Australia’s most affordable and popular gutter guard solutions. They fit directly into the gutter without the need for permanent fixings such as screws or nails. Brush gutter guards typically feature several outward-facing bristles designed to brush debris away from the gutter and back down towards the ground. They tend to stop large leaves but don’t stop small debris, which may become saturated and act as a dam in your gutters. To consider other considerations around brush guards, read our article “Pros and Cons of Brush Gutter Guards.”
Vinyl guards
Another very popular form of gutter guards in Australia is vinyl guards. Typically made from high-quality and incredibly durable plastic, this guard attaches directly to the roof and covers the entire gutter, preventing debris from entering. This vinyl guard has a shape to encourage water to flow underneath into the gutter, ensuring that all rainwater can still flow through the guttering freely. However, vinyl guards can become overwhelmed in heavy rain, so check depending on the location. They may not be appropriate for your building. Learn more about vinyl guards in our article, “What are vinyl gutter guards?”
Foam Inserts
Foam inserts work similarly to brush gutter guards and are designed to fit directly into the gutter system. They prevent debris from entering the guttering system while allowing rainwater to soak through the foam and enter the gutters as designed. However, with gum trees, the large volume of leaves that fall may result in a large build-up on top of the foam, requiring frequent cleaning. Learn more about foam gutter guards in our article, “What are Foam Gutter Guards?”
Speak to us about gutter guard for your property.
Why Gum Trees are a Challenge
Gum trees are well-known for their ability to thrive in various environments, but their prolific shedding habits can pose significant challenges for homeowners. The primary issues stem from their constant shedding of leaves, seeds, and twigs throughout the year. Unlike other trees that may shed primarily in autumn, gum trees drop debris in all seasons, leading to a persistent maintenance issue.
The debris from gum trees is particularly troublesome for several reasons:
Volume of Debris: Gum trees can shed an enormous amount of material. This volume can quickly fill gutters, especially during windy conditions or storms when leaves and twigs are blown off the trees in large quantities.
Size of Debris: The small, thin leaves and fine seeds of gum trees can infiltrate most standard gutter guards. These tiny pieces can slip through larger mesh sizes, leading to clogs that are difficult to clear. Once inside the gutters, they can create blockages that prevent proper water flow.
Frequency of Shedding: Unlike deciduous trees that shed primarily in the autumn, gum trees lose leaves, seeds, and twigs year-round. This constant shedding means that gutters need more frequent cleaning and maintenance, increasing the workload for homeowners.
Potential for Damage: When gutters become clogged with gum tree debris, the risk of water overflow increases. Overflowing water can damage the roof, walls, and foundation of your home. Additionally, the weight of the debris can cause gutters to sag or detach from the roofline.
Fire Hazard: In areas prone to bushfires, the accumulation of dry gum tree leaves and twigs in gutters can be a significant fire hazard. Dry leaves can easily ignite from embers, posing a risk to the entire property.
Given these challenges, it is crucial to select a gutter guard specifically designed to handle the fine and abundant debris produced by gum trees. High-quality mesh guards with small apertures can effectively block gum tree debris while allowing water to flow through, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and protecting your home from potential damage.
Best Gutter Guard Gum Trees
For homes surrounded by gum trees, selecting the right gutter guard is essential to ensure your gutters remain clear and functional. With their year-round shedding of leaves, seeds, and twigs, gum trees require a specialised solution to prevent clogs and water overflow. Aluminium integrated mesh gutter guards are highly recommended for this purpose. To find out more about aluminium gutter mesh guards, read our article “What type of gutter mesh is best?”
Here are some of the key benefits of aluminium-integrated mesh gutter guards:
Fine Mesh Size: Aluminium integrated mesh gutter guards feature a fine mesh size that effectively blocks the tiny leaves and seeds from gum trees. This prevents these small particles from entering the gutters and causing blockages, ensuring your gutters remain clear and functional.
Durability: Aluminium is a durable and long-lasting material that can withstand the harsh Australian climate. It is resistant to rust and corrosion, making it an ideal choice for outdoor use. The robust nature of aluminium mesh ensures it will not warp or degrade over time, providing reliable protection for your gutters.
Low Maintenance: With aluminium mesh gutter guards, the need for frequent gutter cleaning is significantly reduced. The fine mesh prevents debris from accumulating in the gutters, meaning less maintenance is required to keep your gutters in good working order. This is particularly beneficial for homeowners with gum trees, as it saves time and effort.
Enhanced Water Flow: Despite its fine mesh size, aluminium integrated mesh allows water to flow through freely. This ensures that even during heavy rain, water can drain efficiently through the gutters without causing overflow or damage to your home’s foundations and walls.
Bushfire Protection: In bushfire-prone areas, using non-combustible materials is crucial. Aluminium mesh gutter guards meet bushfire safety standards, providing an additional layer of protection by preventing embers from entering the gutters and igniting dry leaves and twigs.
Aesthetic Appeal: Aluminium mesh gutter guards are available in a range of colours to match your roof and guttering, ensuring they blend seamlessly with your home’s exterior. This not only provides functional benefits but also enhances the overall appearance of your property.
By choosing aluminium-integrated mesh gutter guards, you can effectively protect your home from the unique challenges posed by gum trees. Aussie Gutter Protection offers a selection of high-quality aluminium gutter guards in our TuffMesh Range and Gutter Mesh Range.
Additional Considerations
By considering these additional points, you can ensure your home is well-protected against the specific challenges of living in a bushfire-prone area:
- Ember Guards: Essential for bushfire-prone areas with a mesh size of less than 2mm to prevent embers from entering and igniting debris that will provide extra protection against bushfires by blocking embers.
- Steel Mesh Guards: Offer top-level protection, meeting BAL ratings and CSIRO standards. They are made from non-combustible materials for maximum safety.
- Compliance and Certification: Ensure products meet Australian Standards (AS3959) and have CSIRO certification.
- Regular Maintenance: Regularly inspect and clear debris from guards. Product
- Warranty and Support: Choose systems with long-term warranties (up to 25 years) for materials and workmanship.
Implementing these considerations ensures that your home is safeguarded from bushfire risks and maintains effective gutter protection year-round.
How we can help
If you are looking to install gutter guards on your property, our highly experienced and dedicated team is here to help. We offer a wide range of gutter guard options designed to suit any size property and budget.
We take the time to understand our customers’ needs, providing them with a unique and bespoke solution guaranteed to protect their property. While an aesthetically pleasing addition to any property, gum trees can also cause a number of problems, so protecting your gutters from their leaves and seeds is essential.
Want to find out how we can help you? Get in touch with our friendly team and start protecting your property today.
Related Posts
Mesh panels
Mesh panel gutter guards are among the most popular forms of gutter guards in Australia and can be used in residential and commercial properties. This form of gutter guard attaches over the gutter, affixing to the roof and protecting your gutters from having debris such as leaves and twigs from entering the system. The mesh panels feature gaps wide enough for water to flow through freely whilst being able to prevent the majority of debris from finding a way through. However, a flat panel can often cause the same problems as a foam gutter guard, as the debris can build up on top of the flat panel and block the holes in the mesh, causing a waterfall effect over the top.
