Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Although gutter guards aren't always necessary, indicators of congested gutters are typically clear. Signs of chronic gutter issues include:
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with years of gutter guard installation experience that have worked with many different styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and install guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Reach out to these companies to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When contacting potential installation providers, always verify that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability coverage. This protects you if any accidents or injuries occur. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that carry tenured trusted gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Steer clear of companies that only install their own off-brand products or generic no-name guards. These lesser-known products may not have gone through rigorous quality testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, gutter guards should have 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 universal options. Correctly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers typically have 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover clogs, leaks, rust, and other defects. Before selecting a provider, carefully read through the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to safeguard your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or Yelp to learn about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to choose companies with a history of good reviews instead of just a single review.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six typical types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to block debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.47 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, stopping debris while allowing water to pass through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.05 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost around $4.47 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but let water through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and let debris slide off as opposed to sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost roughly $4.20 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than standard mesh guards, which lets even less debris through. On average, you can expect to pay $5.27 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- 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 often visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.28 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
