Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but symptoms of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your foundation
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When picking an installation company, look for one with years of experience and knowledge about numerous brands and guard types. A company with experience will understand how to take measurements and install 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
Always verify professional gutter guard installers are properly licensed, bonded, and maintain workers compensation and general liability insurance. This protects you from liability for any accidents or injuries that could occur. Ask to see current licensing and insurance papers when communicating with potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for well-known gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter when selecting an installer. Avoid off-brand or generic no-name guards, which likely do not undergo the same level of rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
Your guards should be custom fitted on location to match your gutters. Choose a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your home rather than using universal guards. Guards fitted for your home leave no gaps for debris accumulation.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering rust, leaks, clogs, and other defects. Before selecting a provider, closely inspect its warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on sites such as Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to read about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, you should opt for companies with consistently positive or good feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six typical gutter guard types are as follows:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. This type of guard catches debris on the foam and keeps it out of your gutter. Foam guards cost around $2.48 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are exactly what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.07 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.87 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 allow debris to slide off rather than sitting on top of the gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $4.51 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris into your gutters than mesh. These guards are very effective. On average, you can expect to spend $5.55 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow debris to slide off while water flows into the gutter. They can typically be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.56 per linear foot.
