Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always required, indicators of blocked gutters are usually clear. Signs of chronic gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When choosing an installation company, look for one with extensive experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to measure and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Inquire about a provider's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When contacting potential installation companies, always verify that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability policies. This protects you if any injuries or accidents happen. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Seek out companies that carry leading reputable gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. 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 the best performance, gutter guards need custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Choose a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your home instead of using one-size guards. Correctly-fitted guards avoid debris-trapping gaps.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that protect against rust, clogs, leaks, and other issues. When picking a company, look into the warranty details for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties provide the most effective protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, Yelp, and other review sites to find customer feedback. Ask neighbors which companies they recommend for quality local gutter guard installation. When researching, look for providers with a history of steady positive reviews rather than just a single recommendation.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six typical gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. Debris collects on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to spend $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, catching debris while allowing water to pass through. Brush guards cost around $4.05 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.36 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. On average, you can expect to pay $4.11 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris through than mesh. These types of guards are very effective. On average, you can expect to pay $5.19 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 gutter system while debris slides off. Generally, they will be visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.20 per linear foot.
