Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always necessary, the symptoms of congested gutters are usually clear. Signs of ongoing gutter issues include:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with years of gutter guard installation experience that have handled a wide variety of styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Reach out to these companies to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When contacting potential installation companies, always make sure that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation protection. This protects you if any injuries or accidents happen. Request current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that provide leading gutter guard brands like LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Avoid companies that only install generic no-name guards or their own off-brands, which may not have undergone rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For superior performance, gutter guards should have custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Choose a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using one-size guards. Correctly-fitted guards avoid debris-trapping gaps.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies typically offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against clogs, leaks, rust, and other defects. Before selecting a provider, thoroughly review the warranty terms for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to safeguard your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on sites like Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to see what customers say about their experience. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, it's best to opt for companies with a history of consistent positive feedback rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary gutter guard types are as follows:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that partially obstruct your gutters, blocking debris and allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. This type of guard catches debris on the foam and keeps it out of your gutter. On average, you can expect to spend $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost around $4.20 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but allow water to flow through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and let debris slide off rather than sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost around $3.98 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris into your gutters than mesh. These types of guards are extremely effective. On average, you can expect to pay $5.07 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let debris slide off while water flows into the gutter. They can usually be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.09 per linear foot.
