Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but evidence of blocked gutters is clear. Indicators of chronic gutter troubles are:
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your home's foundation
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Look for an experienced gutter guard installation company that has been in business for multiple years and has installed many different brands and models of gutter guards. These companies know how to properly take measurements and handle the installation of gutter guards on your unique home setup. Inquire how long they’ve been in business and request local referrals.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Verify that any providers you're considering are properly certified, bonded, and insured, holding both general liability and workers compensation protection. This protects you from liability for potential injuries and accidents. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that provide tenured trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. 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 custom-fitted to match your unique gutter setup. Pick a company that custom measures and trims guards specifically for your home, rather than using generic guards. Accurately fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering leaks, rust, clogs, and other issues. When selecting a company, read through the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties offer the best protection for 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 see what customers say about their experience. You can also ask your neighbors to suggest quality gutter guard businesses near you. When researching potential providers, it's best to opt for companies with consistently good reviews rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands 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, allowing water to pass through while catching debris. Brush guards cost around $4.03 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.02 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly block debris while letting water filter through. They are durable and help debris slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.85 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. These types of guards are very effective. On average, you can expect to spend $4.95 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 are normally visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $2.97 per linear foot.
