Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always necessary, indicators of congested gutters are usually clear. Signs of chronic gutter problems include:
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Companies with years of gutter guard installation experience that have worked with many different styles and models will know how to measure accurately and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Reach out to these providers to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation providers, always make sure that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability coverage. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Seek out companies that offer tenured and trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Be wary of companies that only carry generic no-name or their own off-brand guards, as these likely have not undergone the same rigorous testing as major brands.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, guards should be custom fitted on-site to fit your gutters. Pick a company that takes specific measurements and does custom cutting for guards for your home rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Properly fitted guards won't have any gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against leaks, clogs, rust, and other issues. Before selecting a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, Google Reviews, and other review sites to read about customer experiences. Ask neighbors for recommendations of quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to select companies with a track record of consistently good feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six most common gutter guard types are as follows:
- Brush guards are exactly what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and let water through while catching debris. Brush guards cost around $4.02 per linear foot.
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. This type of guard catches debris on the foam and keeps it out of your gutter. Foam guards cost around $2.44 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while keeping out debris. Screen guards cost around $3.86 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 encourage debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost around $3.72 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. They have smaller holes than regular mesh guards, which lets even less debris through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.83 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into your gutters while debris slides off. Typically, they will be visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $2.86 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
