Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always required, 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.
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Companies with years of gutter guard installation experience that have worked with many different styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Reach out to these providers to get details regarding their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation providers, always verify that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation policies. This protects you if any accidents or injuries occur. Request current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for leading gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet 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 the best performance, gutter guards should have custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Choose a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your home instead of using one-size options. Well-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for leaks, rust, clogs, and other issues. When selecting a company, look into the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties give you the most effective protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to look at online reviews on sites such as Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to hear more about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to choose companies with consistently positive or good feedback instead of just a single review.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six most common gutter guard types are as follows:
- Brush guards are just what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris while letting water through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.04 per linear foot.
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. Debris collects on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to pay $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while keeping out debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.31 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while allowing water to filter through. Mesh guards are durable and let debris slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $4.07 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and allow even less debris through than mesh. They are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.15 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into gutter system while debris slides off. Generally, they will be visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.17 per linear foot.