Gutter guards and covers
Guards that keep seeds and leaves out of the gutter and stand up to a Wausau winter.
Gutter guards and covers sit over the open top of the gutter so rain and meltwater get in and maple seeds, birch catkins, oak leaves and needles stay out. For Wausau-area homes, the right guard is one that blocks the debris from the trees in your yard and is sturdy enough to take snow load and sliding ice.
Which guard types are out there?
- Stainless micro-mesh. Fine mesh on a rigid frame. Best at stopping seeds, catkins and needles.
- Perforated aluminum. Solid panels with holes. Lower cost, good with broad leaves, weaker against small seeds.
- Hoods. Curved covers that shed debris off the edge. In freezing weather, the curved nose can ice over.
- Inserts and screens. Inexpensive, but they trap debris and can sag under snow.
Signs you'd benefit from guards
- Gutters fill with maple seeds every spring
- Downspouts clog in fall and freeze solid in winter
- You're cleaning gutters more than once a year
- The house is tall or the roof is steep
- A buried downspout line keeps plugging
Why Wausau gutters fill up
The Wisconsin DNR describes the forest on Rib Mountain as dominated by sugar maple, paper birch, red oak and bigtooth aspen, and those trees are common in yards around Wausau too. Each drops something different at a different time of year. Oak leaves often come down late, so a gutter cleaned in October can be full again by the first snow. Debris left in the gutter holds water and freezes in place.
What affects the price?
- Guard type. Stainless mesh systems cost more than perforated aluminum or inserts.
- Gutter length and height. More feet and taller walls mean more labor.
- Gutter condition. Bent or loose gutters need fixing first.
- Mounting method. How the guard is fastened to the gutter and roof edge.
We don't quote prices. The installer you're connected with prices the job after seeing the house.
Guards now, or gutters first?
If the gutters are straight, tight and draining, guards can go right on. If winters have bent them or pulled the hangers loose, replace or re-hang them first, ideally with heavy-duty seamless gutters, and add the guards in the same visit.
Communities we cover
Common questions
Will snow crush my gutter guards?
A rigid guard on well-hung gutters usually holds. Flimsy screens can bend under snow and sliding ice. Ask how the guard is supported and fastened.
Do guards keep ice out of the gutter?
No. Meltwater can still freeze in the gutter in cold weather. Guards keep debris out, which helps the gutter drain when it isn't frozen.
Which guard is best for maple seeds?
Fine micro-mesh usually stops maple seeds best. Larger-hole covers let many of them through.
Related services
- Ice dam and icicle control
- Heavy-duty seamless gutters
- Snow and ice damage repair
- Downspouts and meltwater drainage
More background: Marathon County gutter guard guide.
Icicles, overflow or a gutter full of seeds?
Call and get connected with a local installer who works on Wausau-area roofs.