Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but evidence of clogged gutters is clear. Signals of chronic gutter troubles are:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, 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.
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When choosing an installation company, look for one with considerable experience and knowledge about various brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Inquire about a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation providers, always make sure that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation protection. This protects you if any accidents or injuries occur. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that carry tenured and trustworthy gutter guard brands like Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. 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 optimal performance, guards should be measured and cut on your property to fit your gutters. Choose 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 minimize gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for leaks, rust, clogs, and other issues. When choosing a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties give you the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on sites such as Yelp, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on quality gutter guard businesses near you. When researching potential providers, it's best to opt for companies with positive reviews consistently over time rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six most common types of gutter guards include the following:
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to block debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are just what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and let water through while catching debris. Brush guards cost around $4.04 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.22 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while allowing water to filter through. These guards are durable and let debris slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $4.00 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, letting even less debris through than mesh. These types of guards are very effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.09 per linear foot.
- 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. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.11 per linear foot.
