Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't always necessary, but the signs of clogged and overflowing gutters are clear. Indicators of ongoing gutter troubles are:
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When choosing an installation company, look for one with considerable experience and knowledge about numerous brands and guard types. A company with experience will understand how to take measurements and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Check a provider's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Confirm that the businesses you're considering have valid licensing, bonding, workers compensation coverage, and general liability insurance. This protects you in case of injuries or accidents that could arise. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for reputable gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter when selecting an installer. Avoid generic no-name or off-brand guards, which likely have not gone through rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, guards should be measured and cut on your property to fit your gutters. Pick a company that custom sizes and cuts guards for your home rather than using universal guards. Properly fitted guards minimize gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers typically offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for clogs, rust, leaks, and other issues. Before picking a company, carefully review the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on sites like Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about customer experiences. You can also ask your neighbors for recommendations on quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, we recommend selecting companies with a history of consistent positive feedback rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary gutter guard types include the following:
- Brush guards are precisely what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and let water through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.02 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to pay $2.45 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $3.91 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while allowing water to filter through. They are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.76 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, allowing even less debris into your gutters than mesh. They are extremely effective. On average, you can expect to pay $4.87 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into gutter system while debris slides off. Normally, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $2.90 per linear foot.
