Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always needed, the signs of clogged gutters are clear. Issues stemming from persistent gutter problems include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When selecting an installation company, look for one with years of experience and knowledge about various brands and guard types. A company with experience will understand how to take measurements and install gutter guards for your specific needs. Inquire about a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When contacting potential installation companies, always make sure 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. Request 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 do not undergo the same level of rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
Guards should be sized and cut while at your home to match your gutters. Select a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your home rather than using generic guards. Guards fitted for your home leave no gaps for debris accumulation.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering rust, clogs, leaks, and other issues. When selecting a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties provide the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to look at online reviews on sites such as Yelp, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to hear more 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 a history of good reviews instead of just a single review.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six typical gutter guard types include the following:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that rest in your gutters to block debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are exactly what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to let water through while catching debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost around $4.31 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while allowing water to filter through. These guards are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $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. These guards 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 encourage water to flow into your gutters while debris slides off. Normally, they are visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.17 per linear foot.
