Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always required, the symptoms of blocked gutters are usually clear. Signs of ongoing gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- 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
The right installation company will have ample experience, including multiple years in business and experience with numerous brands and models. Companies with experience can properly measure and install gutter guards to meet your distinct needs. Ask how long a company has been performing installations and request referrals from nearby customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation companies, always confirm that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability protection. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for leading gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid off-brand or generic no-name guards, which likely do not undergo the same level of rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, gutter guards should have custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Pick a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your home instead of using universal guards. Well-fitted guards avoid debris-trapping gaps.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies are typically backed by 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover clogs, rust, leaks, and other defects. Before choosing a provider, look into its warranty terms on workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, 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 consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six most common gutter guard types are as follows:
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to catch debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. On average, you can expect to pay $2.47 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.06 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost around $4.70 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but let water 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 spend $4.38 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris into your gutters than mesh. They are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.43 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let debris slide off while water flows into the gutter. They are often visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.45 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
