Gutter Guards and Leaf Protection in Des Moines
Maple seeds in spring, cottonwood fluff all summer, leaves every fall. We install gutter guards and leaf protection, including micro-mesh, LeafFX and Gutter Topper, matched to the trees over your roof.
Gutter Guards, Start to Finish
If you are up a ladder every few months pulling wet seeds and leaves out of your gutters, or watching water pour over the front in a storm because an outlet is plugged, gutter guards are worth a look. Around Des Moines the debris comes in waves. Maples drop seeds in spring, and Iowa State University Extension notes that heavy seed years come every three to five years. Eastern cottonwood sheds its cottony seed from May through August. Then the fall leaves land on top of all of it.
We install leaf protection on new gutters and on existing gutters that are in good shape. That includes mesh guards set under the shingle edge and fastened to the gutter lip, LeafFX gutter protection, and Gutter Topper covers. Luke looks at what is growing over your roof, how steep the roof is and whether the gutters underneath are worth covering, then explains which type fits. If the gutters are sagging or leaking, we will tell you to fix that first.
What you are left with is a gutter that keeps moving water through storm season, with far fewer trips up the ladder. No guard is maintenance free, and we will not pretend otherwise. You will still want an occasional look and rinse, but the job goes from a chore to a quick check. For an honest look at the trade-offs, read our guide are gutter guards worth it in Iowa.
What our gutter guard installs include
- A look at the trees over your roof
- Gutters cleaned out before guards go on
- Micro-mesh, LeafFX or Gutter Topper options
- Guards fitted at corners, miters and valleys
- Fastened so wind and snow stay off
- Downspouts checked for clogs and flow
Micro-mesh vs. screens vs. reverse-curve covers
There are three main kinds of guards. Screens are the simplest: a perforated or wire panel over the gutter that stops leaves but can let maple seeds and finer debris slip through. Micro-mesh uses a fine stainless or aluminum mesh on a rigid frame, so small seeds and shingle grit stay on top while water passes through. Reverse-curve covers, also called surface-tension or hood guards, are solid. Water follows the curved nose into the gutter while leaves slide off the edge, which is how Gutter Topper works. Luke will talk through which fits your roof.
What holds up to Iowa snow and ice
Our winters matter as much as our trees. This Old House recommends well-supported metal micro-mesh for snowy climates and warns that brush inserts can mat with wet debris, foam holds moisture, and plastic covers can turn brittle in the cold. Guards without support underneath can sag under wet snow. One thing no guard does is stop an ice dam. Ice dams come from heat escaping through the roof, so attic air sealing, insulation and ventilation are the real fix. Our ice dams and gutters guide explains more.
Cottonwood, maple seeds and oak leaves
Different trees call for different guards. Cottonwood fluff is light and can collect on top of any guard, so homes near cottonwoods may need a rinse during summer. Gutter Topper's own care instructions say to spray off the front a few times a year, more often around cottonwood and sap. Maple helicopters can slip through wide screens, which is why micro-mesh tends to do better under maples. Big oak leaves usually sit on top of a guard and blow off once they dry. We tell you what to expect from your trees before you buy.
Guards on new gutters or the ones you have
Guards can go on with new seamless gutters, which lets us fit them cleanly at every miter. They can also go on gutters that are already up, as long as those gutters are solid, pitched right and hung tight. If they are not, a guard just hides the problem, so we look at hangers, seams and fascia first. For a sense of what guards run in the metro, see our gutter guard cost guide. Your actual price comes from a free estimate at your house.
Gutter Guards Questions
Not seeing yours? Call or text (515) 901-3646 and ask Luke.
Luke, Jaxx & Larry
A family business, third generation. Luke runs every estimate himself and Jaxx works the jobs with him. Larry, the shop dog, mostly supervises.
What type of gutter guard keeps out maple seeds?
Micro-mesh is usually the strongest choice for maple helicopters. The openings are fine enough that seeds and shingle grit stay on top while water drops through. Wide screens and perforated covers can let seeds slip in, where they sprout or pack into the outlets. Silver maple is the most common native maple in Iowa, so this question comes up a lot.
Do gutter guards hold up under heavy Iowa snow?
Rigid, well-supported metal guards hold up much better than foam, brush or thin plastic. This Old House recommends supported metal micro-mesh for snowy climates and notes that unsupported guards can sag under wet snow. We fasten guards so they stay put through wind and snow, but no guard prevents ice dams. Those come from attic heat loss, not from the gutter.
Can you put gutter guards on my existing gutters?
Often, yes. If your gutters are hung tight, pitched toward the outlets and not leaking at the seams, guards can go right on top after a cleanout. If the gutters sag, leak or pull away from soft fascia, putting guards on just hides the problem. Luke will check the hangers and seams first and tell you straight whether to cover what you have or replace it.
Do gutter guards need any maintenance at all?
Yes, a little. Guards cut down on cleaning a lot, but leaves, pollen and cottonwood fluff can sit on top and need to be brushed or rinsed off now and then. Gutter Topper's own care instructions call for rinsing the front a few times a year, more often near cottonwood and sap. A yearly look at the downspouts is also smart.
Where can I get gutter guards installed in Des Moines or Altoona?
Flow Right installs gutter guards across the metro from our shop in Mitchellville, including Des Moines and next-door Altoona. Read about gutter guards in Des Moines or gutter guards in Altoona, or call or text (515) 901-3646 and Luke will come out for a free estimate.
How a Job Runs
Call or Text
Overflowing gutters, tired siding, a drafty window or an addition you have been planning. Tell us what is going on.
Free Estimate
Luke comes out, looks at the house, measures, and walks you through your options in plain words.
A Clear Plan
You get a written estimate and a straight recommendation. No pressure and no runaround.
Install Day
Our crew does the work and keeps the job site clean while we are there.
Walkthrough
We walk the finished job with you and make sure everything is right before we leave.
Gutter Guards Near You
Our shop is in Mitchellville. Pick your town, or call and ask if we cover it.
Gutter Guards pages for your town
More services
Gutter Repair
Leaks, sagging runs, loose downspouts and storm damage fixed, with honest repair or replace advice.
DetailsGutter Cleaning
Gutters and downspouts cleared by hand, flushed and checked by a crew that installs gutters.
DetailsDownspouts & Drainage
Downspouts sized and placed right, plus flip-ups, extensions and underground lines away from the house.
DetailsNeed Gutter Guards?
Call or text Luke, or send a few details. Estimates are free, and you get a straight answer on what the house needs.