Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always necessary, but indicators of blocked and overflowing gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
The right installation company will have ample experience, including many years in business and experience with several brands and models. Companies with experience can properly measure and fit gutter guards to meet your distinct needs. Ask how long a company has been performing installations and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When getting in touch with potential installation companies, always confirm that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability coverage. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Request current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Seek out companies that provide leading reputable gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Be wary of companies that only carry generic no-name or their own off-brand guards, as these likely have not undergone the same rigorous testing as major brands.
Seek Custom Fit Services
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 home rather than using generic guards. Guards fitted for your home leave no gaps for debris accumulation.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard installers normally have 20-year or lifetime warranties against clogs, rust, leaks, and other defects. Before selecting a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the best way to safeguard your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, or Google Reviews to see what customers say about their experience. You can also ask neighbors to suggest quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, we recommend selecting companies with a history of consistent positive feedback rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to block 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, allowing water to pass through while stopping debris. Brush guards cost roughly $4.05 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water flow through while stopping debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.45 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards stop debris but allow water to flow 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 your gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.18 per linear foot.
- 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 around $5.25 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let water flow into gutters while debris slides off. Normally, they are visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.27 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
