Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but evidence of obstructed gutters is clear. Signals of ongoing gutter troubles are:
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- 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 extensive gutter guard installation experience that have handled many different styles and models will know how to measure accurately and fit 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
Check that the businesses you're considering have valid licensing, bonding, general liability insurance, and workers compensation coverage. This shields you in case of any injury or accident 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 have not gone through rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top 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 home instead of using generic guards. Well-fitted guards avoid debris-trapping gaps.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering leaks, clogs, rust, and other issues. When picking a company, read through the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties offer the most effective protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, Yelp, and other review sites to learn about customer experiences. Ask neighbors for recommendations of quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, we'd recommend opting for companies with consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary gutter guard types include the following:
- Brush guards are exactly what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.04 per linear foot.
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that rest in your gutters to catch debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.46 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.28 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly block debris while allowing water to filter through. They are durable and let debris slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $4.05 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. They have smaller holes than regular mesh guards, which allows even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.13 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let water flow into your gutter system while debris slides off. Generally, they can be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.15 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
