Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always necessary, indicators of obstructed gutters are clear. Issues stemming from persistent gutter problems include:
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your foundation
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
The right installation company will have ample experience, including many years in business and experience with various brands and models. Experienced companies can properly take measurements and install gutter guards to meet your distinct needs. Ask how long a company has been doing installations and request referrals from nearby customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation providers, always verify that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability protection. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Request 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 offer 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, guards should be measured and cut on your property to fit your gutters. Pick a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your home rather than using generic guards. Correctly fitted guards won't have any gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies typically offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for rust, leaks, clogs, and other problems. Before choosing a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, and other review sites to read about customer experiences. Ask neighbors for recommendations of quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, you should choose companies with consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary types of gutter guards are as follows:
- Brush guards are what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to catch debris while letting water through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.04 per linear foot.
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to stop debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.46 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water flow through while keeping debris out. On average, you can expect to spend $4.28 per linear foot for screen guards.
- 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 rather than sitting on top of your gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.05 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are generally the most effective. They have smaller holes than regular mesh guards and let even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.13 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow debris to slide off while water flows into the gutter. They can typically be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.15 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
