Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always necessary, but symptoms of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have worked with a wide variety of styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these providers to learn about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation companies, always confirm that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Request current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that provide leading trusted gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Steer clear of companies that only offer generic no-name guards or their own off-brand products. These lesser-known products may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For superior performance, gutter guards need to be measured and trimmed on-site to match your unique gutter setup. Pick a company that custom measures and trims guards specifically for your home, rather than using universal guards. Properly fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover leaks, clogs, rust, and other defects. Before selecting a provider, carefully read through the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to safeguard your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to learn about customer experiences. Ask neighbors to recommend 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 just what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and let water through while blocking debris. Brush guards cost around $4.02 per linear foot.
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. This type of guard catches debris on the foam and keeps it out of your gutter. Foam guards cost roughly $2.44 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while keeping debris out. Screen guards cost roughly $3.84 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while letting water filter through. Mesh gutter guards are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.71 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are generally the most effective. They have smaller holes than standard mesh guards and let even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $4.82 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into your gutters while debris slides off. Normally, they are visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $2.85 per linear foot.
