Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't always necessary, but evidence of obstructed gutters is clear. Signals of ongoing gutter troubles are:
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your house's foundation
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Look for an experienced gutter guard installation provider that has been in business for several years and has installed various guard brands and models. These companies know how to properly measure and handle the installation of gutter guards on your unique home setup. Ask how long they’ve been in business and request local referrals.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Check that the companies you're considering have valid licenses, bonds, general liability insurance, and workers compensation coverage. This protects you in case of any incidents that could arise. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Seek out companies that provide leading reputable gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Be wary of companies only offering generic no-name or their own off-brand guards, as these likely lack the rigorous testing of larger brands.
Seek Custom Fit Services
Guards should be measured and trimmed on-site to match your gutters. Pick 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
Top gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for leaks, clogs, rust, and other issues. When choosing a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties give you the most effective protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on sites like Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about customer experiences. You can also ask your neighbors to suggest quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, it's best to opt for companies with positive reviews consistently over time rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary types of gutter guards are as follows:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that rest in your gutters to catch debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that partially obstruct your gutters, catching debris while allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow 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 letting water filter through. Mesh gutter guards are durable and let debris 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 are normally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than regular mesh guards, which lets even less debris through. On average, you can expect to pay $5.15 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into gutters while debris slides off. Typically, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.17 per linear foot.
