Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but indicators of blocked and overflowing gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When selecting an installation company, look for one with extensive experience and knowledge about numerous 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 provider's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When contacting potential installation providers, always make sure that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation policies. This protects you if any accidents or injuries occur. Request current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Seek out companies that carry tenured and trusted gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Be wary of companies that only carry generic no-name or their own off-brand guards, as these likely do not have the same rigorous testing as reputable national brands.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, guards should be sized and trimmed on-site to fit your gutters. Choose a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your home rather than using generic guards. Properly fitted guards won't have any gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard installers normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against clogs, rust, leaks, and other defects. Before selecting a provider, carefully read through the warranty terms for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best way to safeguard your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) 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, it's best to opt for companies with consistently good reviews rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, blocking debris and allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that rest in your gutters to catch debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.46 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while keeping debris out. On average, you can expect to pay $4.25 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 let debris slide off as opposed to sitting on top of your gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.03 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are normally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than standard mesh guards, which lets even less debris through. On average, you can expect to spend $5.11 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 through into the gutter. They are normally visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.13 per linear foot.