Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't always necessary, but evidence of obstructed gutters is clear. Indicators of recurring gutter troubles are:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Look for an experienced gutter guard installation company that has been in business for many years and has installed a wide variety of guard types and models. These companies know how to properly take measurements and handle the installation of gutter guards on your unique home setup. Ask how long they’ve been in business and request local referrals.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always verify your gutter guard installers are properly licensed, bonded, and hold general liability insurance and workers compensation. This protects you from liability for any injuries or accidents that might happen. Ask to see current licensing and insurance papers when speaking to potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for reputable gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet 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
For top performance, gutter guards need custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Choose a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using universal guards. Well-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that protect against clogs, leaks, rust, and other issues. When picking a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties offer the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, Yelp, and other review sites to read about customer experiences. Ask neighbors to recommend 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 include the following:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that partially obstruct your gutters, catching debris and allowing water to pass through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.03 per linear foot.
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to stop debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.45 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.02 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 encourage debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of the gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.85 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. They have smaller holes than regular mesh guards and let even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $4.95 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow debris to slide off while water flows into the gutter. They are normally visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $2.97 per linear foot.
