Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always required, indicators of clogged gutters are usually clear. Signs of ongoing gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with years of gutter guard installation experience that have worked with a wide variety of styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and install guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these providers to learn about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always confirm your gutter guard installers are licensed, bonded, and have workers compensation and general liability insurance. This protects you from liability for any accidents or injuries that could occur. Ask to see current licensing and insurance papers when evaluating potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that offer tenured and trustworthy gutter guard brands like LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Avoid companies that offer only their own off-brands or generic no-name guards, which may not have undergone rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For superior performance, gutter guards need to be custom-fitted to match your unique gutter setup. Select a company that uniquely sizes and cuts guards specifically for your home, rather than using universal guards. Accurately fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies are typically backed by 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover clogs, rust, leaks, and other defects. Before picking a provider, closely inspect its warranty terms on materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to look at online reviews on Yelp, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to read customer feedback. Ask neighbors which companies they recommend for quality local gutter guard installation. When researching, look for providers with consistently good feedback rather than only one or two sporadic reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six typical types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to pay $2.45 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are just what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.03 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost around $4.10 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while letting water filter through. Mesh gutter guards are durable and help debris slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.91 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and allow even less debris into your gutters than mesh. These guards are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.00 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into your gutter system while debris slides off. Normally, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.03 per linear foot.
