Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't always necessary, but the signs of clogged and overflowing gutters are clear. Signals of ongoing gutter troubles are:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
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 take accurate measurements and attach guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these companies to get details regarding their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation companies, always make sure that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability protection. This protects you if any injuries or accidents happen. 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 have not gone through rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For optimal performance, guards should be measured and cut on your property to fit your gutters. Choose a company that custom sizes and cuts guards for your home rather than using universal guards. Accurately fitted guards minimize gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering rust, leaks, clogs, and other problems. Before choosing a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
You should check online reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Yelp to learn 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 consistently positive or good feedback instead of just a single review.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six typical types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- 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 spend $4.08 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. Debris collects on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to spend $2.48 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while keeping out debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.99 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but let water through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.60 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are typically the most effective. They have smaller holes than regular mesh guards and allow even less debris through. On average, you can expect to pay $5.63 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 into the gutter. They are normally visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.64 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
