Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always necessary, but indicators of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with years of gutter guard installation experience that have handled many different styles and models will know how to measure accurately and install guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these providers to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Verify that the companies 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 reputable gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid generic no-name or off-brand guards, which likely lack thorough testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, guards should be measured and cut on your property to fit your gutters. Choose a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your home rather than using generic 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, clogs, rust, and other issues. When picking a company, look into the warranty details for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties provide the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
You should check online reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to read about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors to suggest quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, we'd recommend going for companies with consistently positive or good feedback instead of just a single review.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary gutter guard types include the following:
- Brush guards are what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris while letting water through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to block debris. They're light and easy to install. On average, you can expect to spend $2.45 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.16 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly block debris while allowing water to flow through. These guards are durable and let debris slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.96 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are generally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than standard mesh guards, which allows even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.05 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 are often visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.07 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
