Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always necessary, but symptoms of blocked and overflowing gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When picking an installation company, look for one with extensive experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and install gutter guards for your specific needs. Ask about a provider's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation providers, always confirm that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation protection. This protects you if any injuries or accidents occur. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Seek out companies that provide tenured and trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. 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 ideal performance, gutter guards need to be sized and cut on-site to match your unique gutter setup. Pick a company that custom measures and trims guards specifically for your home, rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Correctly fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies are typically backed by 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover rust, leaks, clogs, and other defects. Before selecting a provider, read over its warranty terms for workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to protect your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or Yelp to read about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on 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 are as follows:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to pay $2.47 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, allowing water to pass through while catching debris. Brush guards cost around $4.05 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.50 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards stop debris but let water through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost roughly $4.22 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, letting even less debris into your gutters than mesh. These types of guards are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.29 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into your gutters while debris slides off. Normally, they are visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.30 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
