Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't always necessary, but the signs of clogged and overflowing gutters are clear. Signals of recurring gutter troubles are:
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your house's foundation
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
The right installation company will have extensive experience, including many years in business and experience with several brands and models. Experienced companies 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 getting in touch with potential installation companies, always verify that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you if any accidents or injuries occur. Request current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for reputable gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter when selecting an installer. Avoid off-brand or generic no-name guards, which likely have not gone through rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
Guards should be custom fitted on location to match your gutters. Choose a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your home rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Guards fitted for your home leave no gaps for debris accumulation.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering clogs, rust, leaks, and other issues. When selecting a company, read through the warranty details for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties provide the most effective protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on sites like Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about customer experiences. You can also ask your neighbors to suggest quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, it's best to opt for companies with consistently good reviews rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six most common types of gutter guards are as follows:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to stop debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.47 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, catching debris while allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.06 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.61 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while allowing water to filter through. Mesh gutter guards are durable and let debris slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $4.31 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. These types of guards are very effective. On average, you can expect to spend $5.37 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into gutters while debris slides off. Typically, they are visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.38 per linear foot.
