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4 Best Gutter Guards for Heavy Rain (2024 Guide)
In this guide to the ideal gutter guards for above-average rainfall, you’ll learn:
- What are the best gutter guards for heavy rain?
- What factors should you consider when buying heavy rain gutter guards?
- How do you choose the right gutter guard for your home?
Each product and or company featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Gutter guards are a great way to maintain your gutters, but some gutter types aren’t meant to accommodate heavy water flow. These types can get overwhelmed by intense rainfall and spill water over the sides, rendering your gutters useless.
In this guide to the best gutter guards for heavy rain, we’ll discuss which gutter guards can handle the rain while keeping debris buildup out of your gutters.
Top Gutter Guards for Heavy Rain
When choosing the right gutter guard for your home, you should base your decision on how much rainfall you think you’ll receive. The right choice can be the difference between an adequately protected foundation and severe property damage or leaks.
For areas that see heavy rain, we recommend the below brands over do-it-yourself gutter guards you can buy from retailers like Home Depot, Lowes or Amazon.
Compare the Best Gutter Guards for Heavy Rain
| Brand | Our Take | Avg Cost Per Linear Foot | Service Area | Notable Features |
| LeafFilter | Best Overall | $15-$35 | 43 States | Large service area, years of experience, highly efficient product, lifetime warranty |
| HomeCraft Gutter Protection | Most Versatile Design | $4.50-$7.75 | 12 States | Many size and shape options for maximum efficiency, many positive customer reviews, years of experience |
| MasterShield | Most Eco-Friendly Materials | $17-$20 | Nationwide | Massive service area, eco-friendly business practices and materials, great gutter guard efficiency |
| All American Gutter Protection | Most Customizable | $15-$20 | 13 States | Many shapes, sizes and colors available, highly efficient for heavy rainfall |
LeafFilter
Dedicated to Sustainability
Save 12% plus $250 off on gutter guards for your home. Seniors and Military save an additional 10%.
Average cost
Pros
- Made from sustainable materials
- Materials are recyclable
- Positive customer reviews
- Has green initiatives
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Not DIY-friendly
MasterShield
Most Eco-Friendly Materials
Get a free estimate today!
Average cost
Pros
- Made from sustainable and/or recycled materials
- Materials are recyclable
- Lifetime and/or comprehensive warranty
- Lots of color and design options
- Has green initiatives
Cons
- Expensive products or installation fees
- Reports of clogging
- Made of non-recyclable materials
- Not DIY-friendly
HomeCraft
Most Versatile Design
New customers save 30%.
Average cost
Pros
- Offers pitched/diamond designs for better flow
Cons
- No stated commitment to bettering the environment
- Some negative online reviews
- Limited availability
All American
Most Customizable
Average cost
Pros
- Materials are recyclable
- Lifetime and/or comprehensive warranty
- Lots of color and design options
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Not DIY-friendly
- No stated commitment to bettering the environment
- Limited availability
LeafFilter: Best Overall
LeafFilter manufactures one of the best-known gutter guard options in the U.S., and it has been serving customers across the country for over 15 years.
This company’s products and services tend to be more expensive than those of other gutter guard companies, but the quality for the cost is outstanding.
LeafFilter offers unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) and stainless steel micro mesh gutter covers that are either recyclable or made from recycled materials. These materials won’t fade or warp over time, even with exposure to UV light from the sun, heavy rainfall and moisture.
Best of all, the micro mesh filters on these guards catch virtually all debris — including small debris like pine needles — but still allow ample water flow. As such, these products are ideal for homes that experience heavy rain.
Pros
+ Recycled and recyclable materials
+ Highly efficient at directing runoff into your gutters
+ Products catch most debris
+ Many years of experience
+ Lifetime warranty
+ Large service area
Cons
– Expensive
– Only suitable for professional installation
Key Features
LeafFilter gutter guards are known for their ability to catch even the smallest of debris while still maintaining a great flow rate for runoff.
As such, these gutter guards are ideal for protecting your home from abundant rain while reducing how often you need gutter cleaning services.
What Customers Say About LeafFilter
Despite the company’s size, LeafFilter still has mostly positive customer reviews online. Many of the positive reviews are from homeowners who have tried other brands of gutter guards but find that LeafFilter provides the protection and water flow they need to keep their homes safe.
HomeCraft Gutter Protection: Most Versatile Design
HomeCraft Gutter Protection also installs micro mesh gutter guards that are designed to catch most small and large debris while managing large volumes of runoff.
Unfortunately, these products are also not suitable for DIY installation and can be a bit costly to install.
HomeCraft offers several options for gutter guards made to fit on most standard gutters, including k-style gutters and half-round gutters. It also carries covers for five-inch and six-inch gutters.
This makes the company ideal for homeowners who have six-inch k-style gutters that can handle excessive runoff in a short amount of time.
HomeCraft doesn’t have the greatest customer service, and there have been some issues with the installation process for some customers. However, the company still has mostly positive reviews.
Pros
+ Several designs ideal for handling heavy rainfall
+ Many years of experience
+ Products fit most homes
+ Products backed by lifetime warranty
+ Catches small debris without impeding water flow
Cons
– No sustainable business practices
– Some issues with customer service
– Not suitable for DIY installation
Key Features
HomeCraft gutter guards are great for heavy rain, as the micro mesh design provides plenty of room to let water flow through while still catching most debris.
Additionally, the variety of size and shape options lets you customize for less-common gutter styles that are already designed to manage excessive runoff.
What Customers Say About HomeCraft Gutter Protection
There have been some customer issues with HomeCraft, specifically regarding communication issues within the company that can lead to delayed installations and unprepared installation crews.
However, most customers are pleased with how well these gutter guards themselves perform.
MasterShield: Most Eco-Friendly Materials
MasterShield frequently ranks as one of our top picks for gutter guards because the company is so committed to reducing its carbon footprint. It recycles existing gutters and covers when possible and makes its new guards with almost entirely recycled materials.
MasterShield backs its steel and aluminum gutter guards with a lifetime warranty and guarantees no clogs for life. It vows to pay for gutter cleaning if you ever need the service while its guards are installed. As such, it delivers maximum peace of mind.
The company also includes a line of copper products that helps ward off moss and algae — a particular concern in humid climates that experience heavy rain.
The copper products help to reduce the organic material that can build up in your gutters over time, helping to avoid clogs and diminishing performance.
Pros
+ Ideal for keeping away algae and moss
+ Micro mesh design catches all debris
+ Lifetime warranty and no-clog guarantee
+ Products made from recycled materials
+ Easy installation makes this a possible DIY home improvement project
Cons
– More expensive than most DIY options
– Warranty only provided if installed by professionals
Key Features
MasterShield’s claim to fame is the copper technology that helps avoid gutter clogs caused by mildew, moss and algae. The company is also revered for its eco-friendly approach to gutter covers, as well as the outstanding warranty it provides.
What Customers Say About MasterShield
The reviews for MasterShield are mostly positive. Many customers specifically point out that the gutters protected by MasterShield covers don’t overflow even during excessive rain.
The quality and length of the warranty provided are also frequently mentioned in positive reviews.
All American Gutter Protection: Most Customizable
All American Gutter Protection installs stainless steel micro mesh gutter guards on an aluminum frame. These materials are not only sturdy and long-lasting, but they’re also recyclable.
The perforations on these guards are large enough to let lots of runoff flow through them quickly, so they’re suitable for areas with above-average rainfall. The guards also get installed in line with your roof’s slope, which allows debris to fall right off of the eave from the top of the gutter.
All American is a relatively young company, but it still provides excellent customer service. The company provides a lifetime warranty on all products, and it gives you access to lots of color, size and shape options for ample customization.
Pros
+ Many gutter guard options available for matching your home
+ Excellent water flow
+ Lifetime warranty
+ Discounts available for seniors and veterans
Cons
– Not available for DIY installation
– Relatively small service area
– No confirmation of eco-friendly practices
Key Features
All American gutter guards have large holes to collect a lot of rainwater quickly, but they’re small enough to keep most debris — even pine needles and leaf particles — out of your gutters and downspouts. The company makes many color and size options available, so you can match the guards to your home and the gutter size you have installed.
What Customers Say About All American Gutter Protection
All American Gutter Protection has mostly positive customer reviews online. There are many mentions made about the professionalism of the installation team and how nice it is to have customization options.
Having options is especially valuable in areas that experience heavy rainfall, since six-inch gutters, which perform worse in heavy rain, typically aren’t as common. Since most gutter guards are made for six-inch gutters, homeowners in rainy areas might require more options.
Factors to Consider When Buying Gutter Guards for Heavy Rain
There are a few things you need to think about when buying gutter guards for a home that experiences abundant rainfall. We’ll discuss the most important things to consider below.
Gutter Guard Type & Material
First, you should look at the type of gutter guard you’re buying and the material it’s made of.
Micro mesh gutter guards are usually best for areas with heavy rain, as the perforations can collect all of the debris while still routing all of the water into your gutter system for proper disposal.
We recommend gutter guards made out of stainless steel and aluminum as opposed to PVC as well. Metal will stand up better to extreme weather and won’t warp in response to frequent changes in moisture.
Generally speaking, they’ll last longer and perform better in areas with above-average rainfall.
Quality
The quality of the installation service and the quality of the products installed matter a great deal as well. Improper installation can easily lead to your gutter guards failing to perform, which, in areas with heavy rain, can quickly lead to the below issues:
- Foundation cracks
- Structural damage
- Leaks in your basement or crawlspace
- Increased indoor humidity
- More extreme indoor temperatures
- A higher risk of pest infestation due to indoor humidity
Additionally, areas with excessive rain tend to have other extreme weather events as well, like tropical storms, hurricanes, thunderstorms and more.
Choosing a high-quality guard made out of stainless will usually lead to a longer-lasting product in these areas.
Cost
Getting gutter guards installed professionally can be quite expensive, so you’ll want to consider the cost of the services available to you. You can ask a few installers for free quotes and compare the quality of the service and materials you’ll get for the money to find the best option.
Installation Process
Since accessing your gutters to install guards will require the use of ladders and outdoor equipment, we recommend looking at some customer reviews to see how each company handles the gutter guard installation process and cleanup.
Some companies go above and beyond to ensure they don’t damage your flower beds, lawn and other landscaping features, and they clean up all tools and debris after just a single day of work.
Others might not be as careful, and the cleanup process could be less than impressive. Some companies might even leave tools or cutoffs on your property.
Holes, Gaps or Openings
Gutter guards contain holes or openings that allow water to flow through but prevent debris from getting into the gutter system. The size and arrangement of the perforations are what determine how well the guards work to keep debris out and how effective they are for directing runoff into your gutters.
Micro mesh gutter guards are typically best for areas that experience significant rainfall. The small perforations will keep out most debris, including small things like pine needles and pollen.
However, they’re large enough to let water drop through them without restriction when it does rain heavily.
Maintenance
All gutter systems with gutter guards will still need occasional maintenance and gutter cleaning services. While no guards are perfect, some are far better than others at stopping debris from accumulating in your gutter system.
Here’s a brief list of the different gutter guard options available, from the most effective for keeping debris out and reducing maintenance to the least effective:
- Micro mesh gutter guards (most effective)
- Reverse curve gutter guards — also called surface tension guards
- Mesh screen gutter guards
- Foam gutter guards
- Brush gutter guards (least effective)
We recommend opting for micro mesh gutter guards in areas with heavy rainfall, as these places typically also see the highest rate of gutter clogs due to excessive tree debris washing onto the gutters.
Warranty Coverage
Finally, we suggest you consider the warranty coverage that comes with your gutter guard system and installation process.
Some of the best gutter guard installation companies offer lifetime warranties and even offer to pay for gutter cleaning services if you need them at any point following installation.
Areas that see heavy rainfall are also typically the same ones that experience other extreme weather. Warranty coverage keeps your equipment safe from damage — from falling tree limbs or blown debris.
It also helps guarantee that the weather won’t cause blockages from excessive debris, which means decreased maintenance costs going forward.
We understand that it’s tempting to install your own gutter guards to save money. Aside from the challenging process, a DIY installation can actually void your roof warranty and should typically be avoided.
Here’s what happens to most homeowners who attempt a DIY gutter guard installation.
Our Final Take: Which Gutter Guards Are Best for Heavy Rain?
If you live in an area that sees heavy rainfall, it’s important to take some time to ensure you get guards that can handle the weather and potential debris in your area.
Our top pick for the best gutter guard for heavy rain is the micro mesh guard from LeafFilter. These guards have to be installed by professionals, but they keep virtually all debris out of your gutters and still have perforations large enough to allow heavy runoff to flow through.
Best of all, the guards from LeafFilter are made from recyclable materials, and they come with a lifetime warranty for proper functionality and durability. These heavy-duty guards are a bit on the expensive side, but most customers find that they are well worth the investment.
Check out this video to see LeafFilter gutter guards in action.
Our Gutter Guard Company Ranking & Review Methodology
At EcoWatch, we’ve seen firsthand the negative impact clogged and overflowing gutters can have on roofs, fascia boards, soffits and, most importantly, home foundations. That’s why we take great care to bring you the most accurate information on which gutter guards are best for your home and the climate in your area.
We assess gutter guards based on many different factors. Among the most important are:
- How well they catch debris
- How quickly they allow water to flow into your gutters
- How expensive they are
- How easy they are to install
- How extensive their warranty coverage is
- How sustainable the materials are
Once we see how each company compares to other options in your area, we weigh each of these factors based on their relative importance.
Using this methodology, we’re able to determine the best gutter guard company for your purposes and rank each provider based on how likely they are to meet your needs and expectations.
FAQ: Gutter Guards for Heavy Rain
Gutter guards are a great option in areas that experience heavy rain for a few reasons.
First, homeowners that experience above-average or concentrated rainfall tend to experience clogged gutters frequently as well. Heavy rain can carry large pieces of tree debris — like leaves, sticks, seed pods and more — into your gutter systems.
Heavy rain is also more likely to pull shingle grit off of your roof shingles if you have an asphalt roof. This debris can also contribute to gutter backups.
Second, heavy rain is more likely to saturate the soil around your home and contribute to foundation leaks and damage. When a high volume of rain falls around your home, having a gutter system that collects all of the runoff from the roof and routes it for proper drainage is essential.
If you have even the most minor gutter blockage in this same area, any heavy rain storm can cause your gutters to overflow and drop water next to your home anyway. Gutter guards help prevent this from happening.
Unfortunately, no gutter system that isn’t fitted with gutter guards is safe from blockages, especially during periods of intense rain.
Rain will naturally wash dirt, pollen, leaves, pine needles and other debris off of your roof and into your gutters. The larger debris can build up, eventually causing total blockages. This is dangerous for most of the year because clogged gutters can overflow and be rendered totally ineffective.
It’s especially dangerous in colder months when ice dams can form. These lead to total clogs and can weigh down your gutters, potentially to the point where they pull away from your home and damage your roof and siding.
Gutter guards are the best way to maintain clean gutters and all of the issues that come along with them.
