Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but the signs of blocked and overflowing gutters are clear. Signals of chronic gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your home's foundation
- 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 direct rainwater correctly
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When choosing an installation company, look for one with years of experience and knowledge about various brands and guard types. A company with experience will understand how to take measurements and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Ask about a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When contacting potential installation providers, always verify that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation policies. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Ask for 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 generic no-name or off-brand guards, which likely have not gone through rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, gutter guards should have custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Select a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using generic options. Properly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies typically offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering clogs, rust, leaks, and other issues. Before picking a company, carefully review the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to look at online reviews on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, 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 plenty of satisfied customers rather than just a single recommendation.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six most common gutter guard types include the following:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. Debris collects on the foam instead of in your gutter. Foam guards cost around $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that partially obstruct your gutters, stopping debris while allowing water to pass through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.05 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water flow through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost around $4.40 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but allow water to flow through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and let debris slide off as opposed to sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.14 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, letting even less debris through than mesh. These guards are very effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.22 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into your gutter system while debris slides off. Generally, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.24 per linear foot.
