Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always required, indicators of congested gutters are typically clear. Signs of ongoing gutter problems include:
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When choosing an installation company, look for one with considerable experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to measure 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
Check that the providers you're considering have valid licenses, bonding, workers compensation coverage, and general liability insurance. This shields you in case of any incidents that could arise. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that provide tenured trusted gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Steer clear of companies that only install generic no-name guards or their own off-brand products. These lesser-known products may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, gutter guards need on-site sizing and cutting to match your gutters. Choose a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using one-size options. Properly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies typically have 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover rust, leaks, clogs, and other issues. Before picking a provider, carefully read through the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to safeguard your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to look at online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, or Google Reviews to learn about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors to suggest 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
There are six typical gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, allowing water to pass through while blocking debris. Brush guards cost roughly $4.08 per linear foot.
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that rest in your gutters to catch debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.48 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while keeping debris out. Screen guards cost roughly $4.99 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while allowing water to flow through. These guards are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $4.60 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, allowing even less debris through than mesh. These types of guards are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.63 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let water flow into your gutters while debris slides off. Generally, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.64 per linear foot.
