The gutter is one of the most important parts of the roof. However, it’s also often one of the most neglected; the hedgehog gutter brush helps give you an edge in that regard. The hedgehog gutter brush is made of a stainless steel wire covered in polypropylene bristles, hence the name. Its spikes help deter leaves, detritus, and unwelcome insects from making a home in your gutter.
Threats To and From the Gutter
Like many parts of the roof, damage to the gutter can become a very serious problem over time because it can contribute to rotting. A damaged gutter cannot properly carry water away from the roof. It can also overflow and damage the fascia, causing water to enter the roof. Once water has entered the roof, then the gateway to all sorts of chaos has opened – rotting timbers and battens, mould, mildew, et al.
This is especially true if ice dams form. Ice dams are ice formations of frozen rainwater. If the water in a gutter becomes clogged, it might freeze there and do extreme damage. This is because when water freezes, it expands. Frozen ice expanding might crack the gutter. While ice does not weigh more than water, having it static in one place for long periods of time might wear out a gutter that is designed to ferry water, not carry it in one place.
How Hedgehog Gutter Brushes Help
This is a very expensive problem, but fortunately, it is one with a relatively cheap solution. The hedgehog gutter brush is a length of material with sharp but soft spines poking out. It protects a gutter from being clogged by leaves primarily but also defends against birds, other small animals, larger insects, and assorted detritus.
The hedgehog gutter brush will eventually degrade but is surprisingly long-lasting. Like a forest of trees, the bristles cast a shadow over the wire core, protecting it from the harsh glare of the sun. This is what helps seemingly fragile hedgehog gutter brushes last so long – over ten years on average.
Limitations
The gutter brush is not proof against every threat to your gutter. For instance, moss and seeds that penetrate the web of spines can take root in the water underneath. If they do and begin to grow, they will eventually need to be cleared.
In addition, the brush slightly slows the rate of water flow through the gutter. Normally this wouldn’t be a major problem as gutters tend to be overengineered above the level of rain they would need to face. The issue is that this can allow sediment to build up slightly faster. Over time, this could lead to a blockage. However, despite these risks, the gutter brush is overall a significant improvement over a bare gutter and will require less cleaning.
Gutter brushes are relatively easy to install so long as you know how to stay safe on a ladder. They don’t require any adhesive or sealant, just some gutter brush clips to keep them steady. After this, they’re secured by the nibbed sawtooth of the clips.