The Mike Holmes-Approved Solution To Keep Your Gutters Protected & Clean

Cleaning out gutters is a tedious, time-consuming chore that many people want to avoid. There are a few ways to keep debris out of your gutters, so you don't have to clean them, including using guards. But how do you know which guards actually work? If you're trying to narrow down your choices, HGTV star and professional contractor Mike Holmes points to the Canadian-based Smart Screen as the company to go with. 

Gutter guards are screens installed over eavestroughs to prevent a build-up of debris. In Smart Screen's case, the company only uses aluminum metal and constructs all of its products in Canada. On his blog Make It Right, Holmes shared, "Smart Screen is the ideal gutter protection system. I've used it on my home and on my job sites." One factor that he seems most impressed by is Smart Screen's strength. He shared that he once saw firemen use a ladder to go onto a home's roof. In most cases, the ladder would crush the gutters. But these were unscathed thanks to Smart Screen. Holmes said, "That's proof in the pudding that what they developed was one of the best things we could ever do and put on our home" (via YouTube).

Withstanding a firefighter's ladder is an extreme example. However, a strong system is really important for areas that experience harsh winters because snow and ice build-up can devastate your eavestroughs. Although you can get rid of ice dams by using products like salt pucks, a guard may help ensure that your gutters are less strained throughout the winter.

In addition to having Mike Holmes' approval, many reviewers seem satisfied with Smart Screen's performance. One reviewer (via Lowe's) wrote that it's "easy to blow leaves off but most debris just blow[s] off in the wind." Similarly, another said that "leaves drop on the gutter guards and blow away in the wind!" However, there are mixed reviews about Smart Screen's ease of installation. 

One customer wrote on the site, "Went up very easily. Took more time to move the ladder." Another added that the product is "easy to snip to size when needed and set right into place. Was [able] to install 2 packages in about an hour". However, a few people noted that it can be tedious to install on corners and angles. In addition, one reviewer wrote, "[You're] given the exact amount of screws needed and not one more...If you drop any while installing you'll be cussing and as small as they are you won't find them."

Currently, Smart Screen guards are available in 5- and 6-inch sizes, which should fit most gutters. Overall, the process of how to install gutter guards is DIY-friendly. However, you do need to prepare by thoroughly cleaning out your gutters; otherwise, you'll just be trapping debris inside. In addition, keep in mind that your eavestroughs still need to be cleaned at least annually. When doing so, it's best to remove your guards and give them a detailed inspection for any damage before spraying them down and re-installing.