Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but symptoms of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Signals of chronic gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your house's foundation
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Look for an experienced gutter guard installation provider that has been in business for several years and has installed various guard brands and models. These companies know how to properly measure and install gutter guards on your unique home setup. Ask how long they’ve been installing guards and request local referrals.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Verify that any companies you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, with both workers compensation and general liability policies. This protects you from liability for potential injuries and accidents. Request current licensing and insurance papers from any potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for well-known gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid generic no-name or off-brand guards, which likely lack thorough testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, guards should be custom fitted on-site to fit your gutters. Pick a company that custom sizes and cuts guards for your home rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Accurately fitted guards won't have any gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for leaks, rust, clogs, and other issues. When choosing a company, look into the warranty details for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties give you the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
You should check online reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Yelp to learn about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, we'd recommend going for companies with consistently positive or good feedback instead of just a single review.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six most common types of gutter guards include the following:
- Brush guards are precisely what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and let water through while catching debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to block debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.46 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while keeping out debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.28 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards stop debris but allow water to flow through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and let debris slide off rather than sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost roughly $4.05 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are normally the most effective. They have smaller holes than regular mesh guards and allow even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $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 through into the gutter. They can usually be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.16 per linear foot.
