Amerimax Snap-In Gutter Guard
This is a budget friendly, quick, and easy to install solution for existing gutter protection from tree debris. The Amerimax Snap-In gutter guards simply snap into place and keep leaves, twigs, and other debris from accumulating in your gutters, all while allowing water to freely flow through.
[ez-toc]
When you become a homeowner you quickly begin to realize the enormity of responsibility that goes into home maintenance and care. Little things, such as gutter cleanout, often go unrecognized until your first big storm or autumnal tree fall-out and water stops flowing through your downspouts as they should. This is a great indication that gutter cleaning needs to commence, and ASAP to avoid damaging gutters and roof lines due to debris accumulation and water overflow.
Gutter guards are an excellent addition to your gutter system to help shed the debris that can get stuck in your gutters and cause problems. Most require very little in the way of maintenance overall, and keep you from having to climb up to the your roofline to ensure your gutters are working as they should. With the various models and designs available to choose from, one of the most convenient to homeowners is highlighted in the Amerimax gutter guard review provided below.
About the Amerimax Company
Amerimax is a leading manufacturer and of high-value rain carrying systems and solutions available to both homeowners and contractors alike. Based in the United States, they offer their products throughout the North American and Western Europe Regions as a division of OMnimax International through various building and distribution points.
Snap-In Gutter Guard Overview
The Snap-In Guard design was created for easy homeowner installation to serve as a fast, simple solution for roof debris runoff. Budget friendly, this durable PVC guard snaps easily over your existing gutters and contains a built in filter to effectively block a wide range of debris. Including leaves, twigs, and pine needles.
Pros
- Easy to install and a great value
- Works well to block a wide range of large and small debris
- Only available in one color
Cons
- May warp in hot sun
- May require some extra work to get to fit certain gutters
- Not designed to be a long term solution
Why a Gutter Guard is Worth Considering
Home maintenance requires that you keep your gutters clear of debris in order to keep water flowing as it should. Leaves, pine needles, twigs, dirt, and bits of shingle can accumulate and clog gutters, keeping water from running through, backing water up, and putting more weight on the gutter and roof line than is acceptable.
This buildup can also harbor mildews and bacteria, as well as provide a home for insects and even small mammals and birds. Seeds can also germinate in leaf litter and add to the weight and breakdown of gutter use. Plus, as winter sets in this material can freeze, and create ice dams that can damage your roof.
Getting up on your roof after heavy storms and for annual maintenance and cleaning is a must with gutters to keep them clean. Climbing ladders is also hazardous, and by keeping your gutters protected with a guard can cut the time you spend with this type of home care.
Amerimax Snap-In Guard Materials and Construction
The Amerimax Snap-In Gutter Guard is a perforated guard style made from durable, rigid PVC material. The Diamond shaped openings are further lined by bonded filter mesh to ensure even the smallest of debris is blocked from entry into the gutter. This design provides a two step blocking process because of this, with larger leaves, needles, and twigs unable to make it through the initial openings, and smaller materials stopped by the mesh.
Sold in 3 foot lengths, these guards are 6.5 inches wide and are made to fit over most residential, k-style gutters that measure 4, 5, and 6 inches in width. They snap easily onto your existing gutter for convenience, and can be cut to length when the need arises.
Cost of a Snap-In System
This system is sold in packs of 25 for a total of 75 feet. Distributors sell the set up as a single or double pack which averages between $0.45 and $0.60/foot of guard. This makes them very budget friendly overall and a decent value for homeowners looking to protect their gutters from debris without an added cost of installation. These are not made to last for long periods of time, nor do they come in a variety of colors for home matching, but it is this simplicity that allows saving to be passed down to the homeowner.
How to Install
This style guard may be amongst the easiest to install and no tools, other than a ladder, are needed. There are no tricks involved: simply snap the front of the guard to the front of your existing gutters and allow it to set back along where the gutter connects to the roof. Some homeowners have mentioned that they were able to manipulate the edge of the gutter under a roof line for an even better fit and effective use, but this is not part of the manufacturer's installation recommendations.
How it Compares to Other Systems
As mentioned, this is a design that is amongst the simplest to apply to your existing gutter system. It is made for homeowner use without worry of installation cost and requires no tools to secure. Because of this there are no fancy details, such as hinged lifts for easy gutter access after installation, but as far as what it is made for- it is effective.
It also is a durable PVC, rather than metal, so it won’t last as long as similar designs, but it does include a dual blockage system with both an opening and mesh filter to keep all sizes of debris from washing into the gutter.
Warranty
The warranty on the product comes with purchase through the distributor and includes a limited manufacturer's warranty to cover defects in material and workmanship. The warranty is voided if the product is not installed as recommended.
Consumer Reviews
Reviews of the product are overall positive across the various platforms the product is sold in. Foremost concerning its praise is how simple and easy it is to install, and how well it works to block a varying amount of debris. Also commented on is how well it allows rainwater to flow through, even in heavy rainstorms.
The main complaint surrounds how easy the PVC may warp under intense sunlight. Overtime it may lift and curve away from the gutter, proving ineffective in stopping debris. Unfortunately reviews do not show the regions these consumers live in, but complaints surrounding this problem are very rare.
Conclusion
If you are tired of climbing up on your roof to clean gutters, but are not able to have an expensive gutter guard system put in place, then you should definitely consider the Amerimax Snap-In Gutter Guard system. Easy to install, budget friendly, and very effective, this is a perfect solution for many homeowners in need of gutter maintenance support.
Highly praised by consumers, all you need is a good ladder and a short time out of your day to snap these guards into place. They block all sizes of debris effectively and keep you from having to put yourself at risk multiple times a year to keep your gutters clean. If you have ever used this gutter guard system, we’d love to hear about your experiences below. If you have any questions, let us know, and, as always, please share.