Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always needed, signs of obstructed gutters are clear. Issues stemming from persistent gutter problems include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, 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 years of experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to measure and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Inquire about a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always verify professional gutter guard installers are licensed, bonded, and maintain general liability insurance and workers compensation. This protects you from liability for any accidents or injuries that could occur. Ask to see current licensing and insurance papers when talking with potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for well-known gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter when selecting an installer. Avoid generic no-name or off-brand guards, which likely lack thorough testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For optimal performance, gutter guards should have custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Pick a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your home instead of using universal options. Correctly-fitted guards avoid debris-trapping gaps.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for clogs, leaks, rust, and other issues. When selecting a company, look into the warranty details for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties give you the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to learn about customer experiences. Ask neighbors for recommendations of quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, we'd recommend opting for companies with consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that partially obstruct your gutters, allowing water to pass through while catching debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.02 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to stop debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. On average, you can expect to pay $2.44 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost around $3.80 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while allowing water to flow through. Mesh guards are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.67 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris through than mesh. These guards are very effective. On average, you can expect to spend $4.79 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let debris slide off while water flows into the gutter. They can usually be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $2.82 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
