Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always needed, the symptoms of congested gutters are typically clear. Signs of chronic gutter problems include:
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When picking an installation company, look for one with considerable experience and knowledge about numerous brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to measure and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Check a provider's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation companies, always confirm that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation policies. This protects you if any injuries or accidents occur. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for reputable gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid off-brand or generic no-name guards, which likely lack thorough testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, gutter guards need on-site sizing and cutting to match your gutters. Select a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using universal guards. Well-fitted guards avoid debris-trapping gaps.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that protect against rust, leaks, clogs, and other issues. Before picking a company, carefully review the warranty terms for workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the best means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Yelp to learn more about customer experiences. You can also ask your neighbors who they would recommend for quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, it's best to opt for companies with consistently good reviews rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. Debris collects on the foam instead of in your gutter. Foam guards cost roughly $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to block debris while letting water through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.04 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.28 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while letting water filter through. Mesh guards are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $4.05 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are generally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than regular mesh guards and let even less debris through. On average, you can expect to pay $5.13 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into your gutter system while debris slides off. Normally, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.15 per linear foot.
