Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but the signs of clogged and overflowing gutters are clear. Indicators of recurring gutter troubles are:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When selecting an installation company, look for one with extensive experience and knowledge about various brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to measure and install 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 companies you're considering have valid licenses, bonding, workers compensation coverage, and general liability insurance. This shields you in case of any incidents that could arise. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for leading gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter when selecting an installer. Avoid generic no-name or off-brand guards, which likely do not undergo the same level of rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For superior performance, gutter guards need to be measured and fitted on-site to match your gutters. Select a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using one-size guards. Well-fitted guards avoid debris-trapping gaps.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that protect against clogs, leaks, rust, and other problems. Before selecting a company, carefully review the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are an excellent means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
You should check online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, or Google Reviews to read about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors to suggest quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to choose companies with consistently positive or good feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six typical types of gutter guards include the following:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. This type of guard catches debris on the foam and keeps it out of your gutter. Foam guards cost roughly $2.45 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are just what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and let water through while catching debris. Brush guards cost around $4.03 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while keeping debris out. Screen guards cost roughly $3.92 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while allowing water to filter through. Mesh gutter guards are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.77 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris through than mesh. These types of guards are very effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $4.88 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage debris to slide off while water flows into the gutter. They are normally visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $2.90 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
