Americans want to do whatever they can to preserve the appearance and structural integrity of their houses. One way to do this is by ensuring that the home’s gutters are in perfect working order and clear of debris so that rainwater can flow smoothly away from the residence.

Gutter guards can help achieve this goal. But some homeowners are unable to get past the “sticker shock” when they begin pricing gutter guard systems. Between the materials and the installation involved with gutter guards, the final cost may seem daunting to homeowners who are on a budget.

Here’s the flaw in that logic: while many people think of gutter guards as being costly, in reality, they actually will save money for the homeowner in the long run. How?

The obvious savings is in cleaning your gutters – either your time, or the money to pay someone else to do it. But gutter cleaning costs aren’t the only expense a homeowner will no longer need to worry about. Having a flawlessly functioning gutter system will reduce or eliminate the odds of home damage caused by displaced runoff water.

Here’s an estimate of how much you can save with a gutter guard system like Gutter Helmet:

• Gutter cleaning costs ($150 to $500 annually). If you currently have your gutters cleaned by a professional service twice per year (as recommended), that will run you hundreds of dollars per year. Considering those costs alone, a gutter guard system could pay for itself in as little as 6 to 10 years.

• Foundation repair (up to $40,000). If rainwater overflows the gutters and falls to the ground near the structure, it can seep into the foundation over time and cause buckling, cracking, or shifting. Fixing foundation problems is rarely inexpensive, with repair costs frequently running into the tens of thousands of dollars.

• Flooded basements (up to $5,000 to dry, up to $10,000 to repair). If a house has a basement, this overflowing rainwater can seep into it through windows or wall spaces. That can lead to all kinds of problems, such as damage to the flooring, walls, furniture, or appliances. Of course, this is after paying for someone to pump the standing water out of the basement.

• Exterior damage (up to $5,000). Over time, leaky gutters can seep into the siding or fascia boards of the house. As a result, areas of dry rot and peeled paint will start appearing all over the house’s exterior – leading to a hefty bill for repainting or lumber replacement.

• Flooded landscaping (up to $7,500). Many people take pride in having perfectly-sculpted landscaping surrounding their house. But these yard masterpieces will dissolve and crumble if blocked gutters force water into delicate landscape areas, and professional landscaping services are not cheap.

• Mildew and mold (up to $3,000 per contaminated wall). If misdirected water seeps into the attic, basement, or roofline, it can create a hotbed of mold, mildew, and other toxic substances in a matter of days. This can present potential hazards to a family’s health — and cost thousands of dollars to eradicate.

So if you’re mulling gutter guards for your house, don’t think of them purely as a hefty cost. Consider gutter guards as an investment in the long-term viability and safety of your home.