Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Although gutter guards aren't always needed, indicators of blocked gutters are typically clear. Signs of chronic gutter problems include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your house's foundation
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When picking an installation company, look for one with considerable experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Ask about a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Verify that the providers you're considering have valid licenses, bonds, workers compensation coverage, and general liability insurance. This safeguards you in case of any injury or accident that could arise. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that carry leading trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Steer clear of companies that only offer their own off-brand products or generic no-name guards. These lesser-known products may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For optimal performance, gutter guards need to be measured and trimmed on-site to match your unique gutter setup. Pick a company that custom measures and trims guards specifically for your home, rather than using generic guards. Accurately fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against rust, leaks, clogs, and other issues. When selecting a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties give you the most effective protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, and other review sites to read customer feedback. Ask neighbors to suggest companies that provide 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:
- Brush guards are precisely what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to block debris but let water through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are light 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 $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.20 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while allowing water to filter through. These guards are durable and let debris slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.98 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, letting even less debris into your gutters than mesh. They are very effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.07 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage debris to slide off while water flows into the gutter. They can usually be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.09 per linear foot.
