Key numbers
103 verified hail storms with stones of 1.5 inches or larger reached El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs, from 2000 to 2025 in the storm records we keep; the largest measured 4.5 inches (softball size) on July 13, 2011 (NOAA NCEI).
| Hail storms by decade, 2000 to 2025 | 2000s: 35, 2010s: 44, 2020s: 24 Source: Storm library: El Paso County hail history |
|---|---|
| Largest hail | 4.5 in. (softball), July 13, 2011 Source: NOAA NCEI |
| Costliest hail storm | $352.8 million insured losses (2016 dollars), July 28, 2016 Source: RMIIA |
| 110 | Colorado law (HB16-1005) allows up to two rain barrels per household with a combined capacity of 110 gallons, filled only from rooftop downspouts and used outdoors. Source: Colorado State University Extension, 2016 law |
| About 30 | Copper downspouts last 100 years or more, while aluminum downspouts last about 30 years, per NAHB's 2007 study. Source: National Association of Home Builders / Bank of America Home Equity, 2007 |
| About 620 | One inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof produces about 620 gallons of water that gutters must carry away. Source: Texas A&M AgriLife |
A storm counts when the library lists El Paso County among the areas it hit. Each hail size is the storm's largest report, which may have fallen in a neighboring county, and insured losses cover every area the storm hit.
The gutter guards that work best in Colorado Springs are fine micro-mesh guards, because they stop pine needles that slip through wider screens and they let snowmelt drain through instead of sitting on top. The guard also has to fasten without lifting or nailing through your shingles. Reverse-curve and foam inserts have their place, but each has a weakness in our mix of needles, hail and snow. Integrity Roofing and Painting looks at your trees, roof pitch and gutters on a free assessment before recommending a guard.
Gutter guard types compared
| Type | Stops pine needles? | In snow and ice | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-mesh | Most | Drains snowmelt well when kept clear | Fine mesh, the best general choice |
| Screen or perforated | Some slip through | Fair | Lowest cost; needles lodge in holes |
| Reverse-curve (surface tension) | Fair | Snow can slide over the edge | Visible from the street; sized to roof pitch |
| Foam or brush inserts | Poor | Can hold ice | Debris builds up in the insert |
What our weather asks of a guard
- Needles and leaves. Wooded neighborhoods and homes near the foothills, Black Forest and Monument among them, fill gutters with needles. Clearing roofs and gutters of needles and dry leaves is also a basic wildfire-readiness habit.
- Snow and ice. A guard that holds a layer of snow keeps the gutter from draining in a thaw. Our snow and ice damage page explains how ice builds at the eaves.
- Hail. Plastic and thin metal guards can crack or dent in hail. Ask how a guard holds up before you buy.
- Roof edge. The guard should not void your shingle warranty by puncturing or lifting the roof covering, and it should work with the drip edge that the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department requires on shingle roofs.
The guard we install
The guard we install is LeafGuard, a one-piece gutter with a built-in hood that replaces the gutter rather than covering it, so it belongs in the reverse-curve row above. Its hood sheds needles when it is clean and sized to the roof pitch, and like any hood, snow can slide over it in a fast thaw. Our gutter guard guide compares all five types and explains LeafGuard’s own claims.
How we install guards
- Clean and inspect the gutters and downspouts, and fix pitch or loose hangers first.
- Match the guard to the gutter size and profile, K-style or half-round.
- Fasten to the gutter and fascia, not through the shingles.
- Water-test each run to confirm water goes in and debris stays out.
Guards on new or old gutters
Guards work best on gutters that are sound and properly pitched. If your gutters leak at the seams, a new seamless gutter with a guard is usually a better spend than guarding a failing sectional system. For more, read our article on the benefits of professionally installed gutter guards and the Colorado Springs gutter overview.
Why Integrity
We are veteran-owned, family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred roofing contractor, and BBB accredited with an A+ rating. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free inspection.
