Gutters collect more than water – they also collect leaves, twigs, and other debris. A couple of times every year many homeowners have to either hire someone to clean out their gutters, or they have to climb up ladders to do it themselves. An alternative to letting debris build up in the gutters is to install a protective cover that lets in the water, but keeps the debris out. Here is how you can install plastic protective covers over your gutters.

You Will Need:

• Perforated Cover
• Measuring Tape
• Drill
• Putty Knife
• Sharp Blade Scissors
• Ladder
• Galvanized Screws
• Bucket of Leaves
• Water Hose

You need to measure the length and width of the gutters before you buy protective covers. Keep in mind that the covers need to be 4 to 6 inches wider than the gutter so you can slide it up under the roof's shingles – this keeps the water from getting under the protective cover and backing up into your house. Make sure you buy protective covers that match the color of your gutters so the covers to blend into the appearance of your house.

Step One:

Cut the protective cover into 6 to 8 foot lengths that are easy for you to handle while you are on a ladder. You can cut longer lengths if someone else is helping you or if you are working on a ladder pick scaffold.

Step Two:

Stick your putty knife under the roofing material and lift it up a couple of inches. Slide the lip of the protective cover under the roofing materials and secure it in place using galvanized screws (the galvanized screws won't rust and leave brown stains on your gutters and house). Make sure the front of the protective gutters stay even along the front edge of the gutters or the cover will go on crooked. Screw the cover to the front edge of the gutters (also with galvanized screws).

Step Three

The last thing you should do is test the covers to make sure they work right. Throw some old decaying leaves onto the roof and water them down with a hose. The water running off the roof should drop through the protective cover into the gutters while the leaves should slide over the top of the protective cover and fall off the roof.

If everything goes as planned, you won't be spending a lot of time cleaning leaves and debris out of your gutters.  For more tips and help, contact a professional like Alaka'i Raingutters & Supplies.