Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Although gutter guards aren't always necessary, indicators of congested gutters are usually clear. Signs of chronic gutter problems include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your house's foundation
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have handled a wide variety of styles and models will know how to measure accurately and install guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Reach out to these companies to get details regarding their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Confirm that any providers you're considering are properly certified, bonded, and insured, with both general liability and workers compensation protection. This shields 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 have not gone through rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
Gutter guards should be sized and cut while at your home to match your gutters. Choose a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your house rather than using universal guards. Guards fitted for your home leave no gaps for debris accumulation.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for leaks, clogs, rust, and other problems. Before selecting 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
It's a good idea to research online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, Google Reviews, and other review sites to read customer feedback. Ask neighbors to suggest companies that provide quality local gutter guard installation. When researching, look for providers with a history of steady positive reviews rather than only one or two sporadic reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Brush guards are what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to block debris but let water through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.03 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to catch debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.45 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while stopping debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.00 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards stop debris but let water through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and encourage debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of the gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.83 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are generally 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 $4.93 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage debris to slide off while water flows into the gutter. They can usually be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $2.96 per linear foot.
