Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always required, indicators of blocked gutters are usually 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
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
The right installation company will have extensive experience, including many years in business and experience with various brands and models. Experienced companies can properly take measurements and fit gutter guards to meet your distinct needs. Inquire about how long a company has been performing installations and request referrals from nearby customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When getting in touch with potential installation providers, always make sure that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation protection. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for well-known gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid off-brand or generic no-name guards, which likely have not gone through rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, guards should be custom fitted on-site to fit your gutters. Pick a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your home rather than using universal guards. Properly fitted guards minimize gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies typically offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for leaks, rust, clogs, and other issues. Before selecting a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for workmanship and materials 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 sites such as Google Reviews, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about customer experiences. You can also ask your neighbors who they would recommend for quality gutter guard businesses near you. When researching potential providers, you should choose companies with a history of consistent positive feedback rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary gutter guard types include the following:
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to catch debris. They're light and easy to install. On average, you can expect to pay $2.47 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are precisely what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.06 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.68 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly block debris while letting water filter through. Mesh guards are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $4.36 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- 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 roughly $5.41 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage debris to slide off while water flows through into the gutter. They are often visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.43 per linear foot.
