Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but symptoms of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with years of gutter guard installation experience that have handled a wide variety of styles and models will know how to measure accurately and attach guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these companies to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always confirm your gutter guard installers are properly licensed, bonded, and maintain 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 communicating with potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that offer 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 not have gone through rigorous quality testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, guards should be sized and trimmed on-site to fit your gutters. Select a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your home rather than using generic guards. Properly fitted guards won't have any gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for rust, clogs, leaks, and other problems. Before choosing a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on sites like Yelp, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about customer experiences. You can also ask your neighbors to suggest quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, it's best to opt for 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 to let water through while blocking debris. Brush guards cost around $4.03 per linear foot.
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to block debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.45 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $3.92 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while allowing water to flow through. These guards are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.77 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 guards are very effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $4.88 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let water flow into gutters while debris slides off. Normally, they will be visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $2.90 per linear foot.
