Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always necessary, but indicators of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your house's foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have worked with a wide variety of styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and attach guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Contact these providers to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Confirm that any companies you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, holding both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you from liability for potential injuries and accidents. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Seek out companies that carry tenured and trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Be wary of companies only offering generic no-name or their own off-brand guards, as these likely do not have the same rigorous testing as reputable national brands.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, gutter guards should have custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Choose a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using universal guards. Properly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against clogs, leaks, rust, and other issues. When choosing a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties provide the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, Google Reviews, and other review sites to learn about customer experiences. Ask neighbors for recommendations of quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to select companies with consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary types of gutter guards include the following:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. The foam collects debris and keeps it out of your gutter. On average, you can expect to spend $2.45 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, catching debris while allowing water to pass 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 $4.06 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while letting water flow through. They are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.88 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are normally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than regular mesh guards and allow even less debris through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.98 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let water flow into your gutter system while debris slides off. Generally, they are visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.00 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
