A gutter splash guard is something you have likely seen installed on gutter systems in your area. As effective as gutters can be, there are times that gutter splash guards are necessary. In our gutter splash guards guide, we show you:

  • What gutter splash guards are
  • Who has the best gutter splash guards
  • How to tell if you need gutter splash guards

If you already have a gutter system in your home, a good portion of the work is done. The splash guards will help ensure that your gutter system is functioning to the best of its ability.

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The national average price of gutter cleaning is $160, assuming you have about 200 feet of gutters.
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In general, the national average cost of gutter guards ranges from $650 to $2,000.
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    What are Gutter Splash Guards

    Gutter splash guards are pieces of material attached to an existing gutter system that helps prevent overspilling. Many homeowners don’t realize that gutter systems on a home can be a bit like a road map. When water is pushed to one area of the roof, you will have issues with spillage. This typically happens in roof valleys.

    The gutter valley splash guards stick up over the top of the gutter, and they push water back into the gutter as opposed to down to the ground. At the time of Gutter installation, your gutters should be checked to see if they will benefit from a diverter or splash guard to prevent gutter overflow.

    However, over time and when the gutters are tested with a true heavy rainfall, you may notice areas where a gutter splash guard is necessary. It can then be installed after the fact. When gutter splash guards are added to the home, sometimes it’s worth looking into the best gutter guards as well. Here are a few ways to tell your current gutter system needs some attention.

    Signs You Need Gutter Splash Guards

    Splash guards on your rain gutter are mostly necessary in the corners and valleys; however, this is not always the case. Some homeowners have a steep pitch in their roof, and it requires an extra splash guard. Here are a few of the most common reasons to install splash guards on your gutter.

    Overflowing Gutters

    The most telling sign that gutter splash guards are necessary is overflowing gutters. If water pours over the gutter’s side, chances are the gutter system needs some attention. Overflowing gutters could lead to you having to install a leaf guard, a downspout diverter, or even gutter downspout extensions; however, gutters should not be overflowing.

    Take a look at the corners of the gutter system; this is where you tend to see the most trouble with overshoots. The inside corner especially is an area where water tends to flow fast and make runoff more apparent.

    Roof Leaks

    Roof leaks can show that water is pooling in certain areas on the roof of your home. Over time, the sealant on the roof will start to deteriorate, and water will seep in under the building materials. Roof leaks can be prevented if water is pushed back into the gutter system the correct way, as opposed to letting it sit on the roof of the home.

    Spotting Foundation or Siding Damage

    Foundation damage is not always easy to see, but if you see it, the splash shield is undoubtedly necessary. The entire reason behind installing gutters and even gutter covers is to ensure that your foundation stays in great shape long term. Foundation damage occurs quickly when water flow is directed to the foundation of the home.

    Landscape Damage

    Do you notice that in certain areas around your home, your plants look as though they were trampled? Maybe there is even fungus or mushrooms growing in one small section. This likely has to do with the gutters not being able to manage the amount of rain coming off the house, and it is instead pushed to the ground in one area. If you are not outside during a rain storm and can’t watch the functionality of the gutter system, landscape damage is a great inside look into the problem.

    Gutter System Damage

    Check out the gutter system and look for signs of damage, water markers, mold, and mildew. You may also see certain gutter areas starting to separate, even with heavy-duty stainless steel gutters. If your gutter system can’t hold up, the splash guards may help to divert water and make this a much more effective system.

    How To Attach Gutter Splash Guards

    Gutter splash guards, or as some people call them, gusher guards, are very easy to install. This is something that you can do as a DIY project if you do not want to spend the money on a professional installation. The only thing to check here is whether or not you have a warranty on your gutter system that could be voided by you installing a splash guard. Talk to the professional that installed your gutters to confirm.

    Gutter guard costs should not be high. The gutter splash guards are sold with pre-drilled holes. Typically a splash guard will have between three and four screws that will go directly into the gutter system itself. Once in place, use a bit of caulk to seal any edges, so you don’t see water spilling out under the splash guard.

    This video is a helpful visual, but remember that your gutter splash guard installation will vary depending on the products used and the area of the home where the splash guards are necessary.

    Professional Installation

    Professional installation of splash guards, downspout diverters, and downspout extenders seem to be favored by most homeowners. When you notice that you need a gutter splash guard, chances are the gutter system is not functioning the way it should.

    If gutters are clear of debris and this is not an issue caused by leaf or organic material buildup in the gutter system, then it may make sense to give the company that installed your gutters a call.

    The best gutter installation companies will install splash guards in a few areas of the home to ensure that overflow is not an issue. In addition, they are looking to ensure your gutter protection system holds up for years to come.

    Professional installation of a gutter splash guard is simple and may be covered under the warranty of your project if your gutters were just installed.

    Best Gutter Splash Guards

    There are a few companies that make very good gutter splash guards. Take a look at the type of gutter you have; most will have K Style and think about adding one of these great products to your home gutter system.

    Amerimax Home Products Gusher Guard

    The Amerimax Home Products Gusher Guard is a great DIY product you can install on your own. This comes in a three-pack and is installed directly in the valleys of the gutter system. The product is made specifically for aluminum gutters, and the fasteners are not included.

    LeafFilter Splash Guards

    LeafFilter is the best gutter and gutter guard solution on the market. With LeafFilter, you will get a lifetime transferrable warranty and a system built to last. Whether you’re replacing gutters, installing them for the first time, or simply need help with a splash guard or leaf guard system, LeafFilter can do it all. Homeowners typically can find a LeafFilter representative in their area who will come out and quickly offer a quote to get started on the project.

    Eagle 1 Rain Splash Guard

    The Eagle 1 Rain Splash Guard is a perfect option for a DIY installation of a gutter splash guard. With this particular model, you will get the 1/2-inch gutter screws necessary to install the aluminum splash guards. In addition, the Eagle 1 is available in either a straight or a bent corner piece. Although corner pieces are typically necessary for the valleys, a straight piece can also be important.

    GutterWorks Gutter Valley Splash Guard

    GutterWorks is another strong gutter and gutter accessories provider. If you are worried about the look of your gutter splash guards, the GutterWorks product can be a great option. There are color options from low gloss white to black with everything in between. These gutter splash guards are three inches tall and take just a few minutes to install.

    What is a Downspout Splash Block?

    When searching for gutter splash guards, you may also see the gutter splash block come up as an option to help with overflow issues from the roof of your home. The gutter splash block is installed at the end of a downspout to ensure water is pushed away from the house and not towards the home. Downspouts on homes that experience heavy rain will often have a puddle of water around them continually. This puddle of water ends up flowing back towards the house, creating long-term foundation issues.

    Benefits of Splash Blocks

    There are a few important benefits of splash blacks that all homeowners should consider. Remember that splash blocks and splash guards may both be necessary for a proper home gutter system.

    Can Prevent Basement Flooding

    When water collects at the bottom of a downspout, it needs somewhere to go. The downspout does a great job of getting water off the roof and pushing it away from the home, but if the water pools at the bottom of the downspout, it can make its way into your basement. Use a splash block to prevent water issues in your basement.

    Easily Installed

    Most of the time, the splash block takes minimal effort to install. The only thing to be careful of here is the placement of the block to ensure it is appropriately pushing water away from the home. A professional is sometimes needed if the splash block does not seem like it is doing enough to push water away.

    Come In Several Materials

    Splash blocks come in several different materials to make it easier to find something within your budget and will work to make your gutter system more efficient. Concrete and plastic are two common types of splash blocks.

    Can Decrease Plant and Landscape Damage

    When water pools at the bottom of a downspout, expect there to be plant and landscape damage to deal with. Luckily, the splash blocks can divert some of the water and allow for better growing conditions for plants, grass, and other plant material.

    Splash Blocks vs. Downspout Extension

    A splash block and a downspout extension are not the same things. Downspout extensions are used to extend a downspout and ensure it comes further away from the house. However, depending on the amount of rain you typically get, the extension may still pool with water at the end. The combination of the splash blocks with the downspout extension tends to be a good option for many homeowners.

    Are Gutter Splash Guards Necessary?

    Splash gutter guards are necessary for most homes, but it is highly dependent on the type of roof you have and the type of gutters that were installed. Some homes prepared for larger amounts of rain and installed wider gutters that allow for better water flow.

    Other homeowners have installed LeafFilter gutter guards to ensure that there are never any blockages that stop the proper flow of water. If you notice any of the common issues that are caused by poor water flow off the roof, then the gutter splash guards are necessary.

    Final Thoughts

    We hope you now have a better understanding of the gutter slash guard, why it is necessary and how your home can benefit from having them properly installed. Remember that LeafFilter is an excellent gutter splash guard installer that can work out any of the issues you are having with your home’s gutter system. Proper water flow from the roof will save you thousands of dollars in home foundation repair; it makes sense to invest in these types of products for your home.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do downspout splash guards work?

    Downspout splash guards are typically called splash blocks, and they can work well if positioned correctly. The idea here is to move water further away from the foundation of the home. As the water flows out of the downspout, the splash block ensures that it does not flow back towards the foundation of the home.


    How do I stop my gutter from splashing?

    If your gutter is splashing water over the side, then a gutter splash guard can make a big difference. This small piece of aluminum is installed to push water back into the gutters and divert it through other areas. In addition, if your downspout is splashing, you can put a gutter splash block in place.


    How do you install a gutter splash block?

    Gutter splash blocks are installed with the open end away from the house and the closed end on the foundation side of the home. The idea here is to push water into the yard and block it from pooling up and damaging the home’s foundation.


    How we Ranked, Reviewed, and Tested the Best Gutter Guards

    Here, we’ve broken down our rating methodology for gutter guards. You should know that we’ve taken the utmost care to provide the most up-to-date information and to ensure that you make the best choice for your budgetary and home maintenance needs.

    Why Trust Today's Homeowner? Our Gutter Ranking Methodology

    At Today's Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. We’ve done the homework for you and have researched over 50 gutter guards so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each gutter guard and gutter guard provider company according to our gutter ranking methodology.

    We also dug into the details of each gutter guard to ensure that you could make the best decisions for your home and keep your gutters debris-free for years to come.

    To make the most of our research, we developed a formula to objectively determine the best gutter guards based on the following criteria:

    • Material: Material durability was the single most important factor that went into our rating methodology for gutter guards. Whether they were stainless steel micro-mesh or plastic screening, we gave an in-depth rating for this criteria.
    • Debris Resistance: Our testing served as the primary evaluator for this factor. We curated a rating based on customer testimonials and our own in-house testing here.
    • Ease of Installation: Most of the gutter guard options listed have some DIY component involved. For this reason, guards that required the fewest specialty tools got the highest rating here.
    • Cost: How reasonable are prices in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors.
    • Warranty terms: We looked into the warranty of lifetime warranty terms if it is offered by the provider.
    • Trust: What do customers rate the company? We looked into what customers are saying about their experience with the company.
    • Buying process: if the gutter guard is a DIY installation, how easy is the buying process? We looked for shipping costs and shipping time, as well as where the product can be bought from.

    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Britt Olizarowicz

    Britt Olizarowicz

    Britt Olizarowicz is a former real estate agent and landscaping business owner. She has a wide range of experience across several industries and was also a professional golfer. With her experience in investing, renovating, and improving properties Britt loves to share in all of the latest and greatest technologies, systems, and strategies to keep your home and garden looking great.

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    Lora Novak

    Senior Editor

    Lora Novak meticulously proofreads and edits all commercial content for Today’s Homeowner to guarantee that it contains the most up-to-date information. Lora brings over 12 years of writing, editing, and digital marketing expertise. She’s worked on thousands of articles related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation, roofing, plumbing, lawn/garden, pest control, insurance, and other general homeownership topics.

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