Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always necessary, but symptoms of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of 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 considerable experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and install gutter guards for your specific needs. Ask about a provider's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Make sure that any companies you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, holding both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you from liability for possible injuries and accidents. Request current licensing and insurance papers from any potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for leading gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter when selecting an installer. Avoid generic no-name or off-brand guards, which likely lack thorough testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For optimal performance, gutter guards need to be measured and trimmed on-site to match your specific gutter setup. Pick a company that uniquely sizes and cuts guards specifically for your home, rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Accurately fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering clogs, leaks, rust, and other issues. When selecting a company, read through the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties offer the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, Google Reviews, and other review sites to learn about customer experiences. Ask neighbors to recommend quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, we'd recommend opting for companies with consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. This type of guard catches debris on the foam and keeps it out of your gutter. Foam guards cost around $2.47 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, allowing water to pass through while catching debris. Brush guards cost roughly $4.06 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while keeping out debris. Screen guards cost around $4.66 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while allowing water to flow through. They are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $4.34 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are normally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than standard mesh guards and let even less debris through. On average, you can expect to spend $5.40 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let debris slide off while water flows through into the gutter. They can usually be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.42 per linear foot.
