Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always necessary, but the signs of blocked and overflowing gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Look for an experienced gutter guard installation company that has been in business for multiple years and has installed various guard brands and models. These companies know how to properly measure and install gutter guards on your unique home setup. Inquire how long they’ve been in business and request local referrals.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always confirm professional gutter guard installers are properly licensed, bonded, and maintain workers compensation and general liability insurance. This protects you from liability for any injuries or accidents that might happen. Ask to see current licensing and insurance papers when evaluating 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 lack thorough testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
Your guards should be sized and cut while at your home to match your gutters. Select a company that custom measures and trims guards for your house rather than using one-size-fits-all 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 that protect against leaks, clogs, rust, and other issues. When selecting 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 look at online reviews on Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to find customer feedback. Ask neighbors which companies they recommend for quality local gutter guard installation. When researching, look for providers with consistently good feedback 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:
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to catch debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.47 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are 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 $4.06 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost around $4.73 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 roughly $4.40 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. They have smaller holes than standard mesh guards and allow even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.46 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let debris slide off while water flows into the gutter. They can typically be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.47 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
