Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always necessary, signs of obstructed gutters are clear. Issues stemming from persistent gutter problems include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your house's foundation
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When choosing an installation company, look for one with years of experience and knowledge about various brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Check a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always confirm your gutter guard installers are licensed, bonded, and have 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 evaluating potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for well-known gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter when selecting an installer. Avoid off-brand or generic no-name guards, which likely do not undergo the same level of rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For superior performance, gutter guards need to be sized and cut on-site to match your specific gutter setup. Pick a company that uniquely sizes and cuts 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 installers usually provide 20-year or lifetime warranties covering leaks, clogs, rust, and other defects. Before picking a provider, look into its warranty terms on materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, Yelp, and other review sites to read customer feedback. Ask neighbors to suggest companies that provide quality local gutter guard installation. When researching, look for providers with plenty of satisfied customers rather than only one or two sporadic reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that partially obstruct your gutters, stopping debris while allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.01 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that rest in your gutters to catch debris. They're light 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 $3.62 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while letting water filter through. Mesh guards are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.54 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are generally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than standard mesh guards and allow even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $4.67 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let debris slide off while water flows through into the gutter. They are normally visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $2.70 per linear foot.
