Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but evidence of blocked gutters is clear. Indicators of recurring gutter troubles are:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your home's foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with years of gutter guard installation experience that have handled many different styles and models will know how to measure accurately and attach guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these providers to get details regarding their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When getting in touch 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 accidents or injuries happen. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for leading gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter 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
Your guards should be custom fitted on location to match your gutters. Pick a company that custom measures and trims guards for your home rather than using universal guards. Guards fitted for your home leave no gaps for debris accumulation.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies usually provide 20-year or lifetime warranties covering leaks, clogs, rust, and other defects. Before choosing a provider, read over its warranty terms for workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, and other review sites to read about customer experiences. Ask neighbors to recommend quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, you should choose companies with a track record of consistently good feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary types of gutter guards include the following:
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. The foam collects debris and keeps it out of your gutter. Foam guards cost around $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and let water through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water flow through while keeping debris out. Screen guards cost around $4.26 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but allow water to flow through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and allow debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.03 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, allowing even less debris through than mesh. These guards are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.12 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 are normally visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.14 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
