Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but symptoms of blocked and overflowing gutters are clear. Signals of chronic gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
- 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 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 considerable experience and knowledge about numerous brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and install 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
When getting in touch with potential installation providers, always verify that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability protection. This protects you if any accidents or injuries occur. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that carry top gutter guard brands like LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Avoid companies that offer only generic no-name guards or their own off-brands, which may not have undergone rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, guards should be custom fitted on-site to fit your gutters. Choose a company that custom sizes and cuts guards for your home rather than using generic guards. Properly fitted guards minimize gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover clogs, rust, leaks, and other defects. Before picking a provider, read over its warranty terms on workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
You should check online reviews on sites such as Yelp, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn 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 most common types of gutter guards are as follows:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. Debris collects on the foam instead of in your gutter. Foam guards cost roughly $2.45 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, blocking debris and allowing water to pass through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.03 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while keeping out debris. Screen guards cost roughly $3.94 per linear foot.
- 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 rather than sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost roughly $3.78 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, allowing even less debris through than mesh. They are extremely effective. On average, you can expect to spend $4.89 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow debris to slide off while water flows through into the gutter. They can usually be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $2.92 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
