Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but symptoms of blocked and overflowing gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your house's foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near 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 many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Check a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Verify that any businesses you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, with both workers compensation and general liability protection. This protects you from liability for potential injuries and accidents. Request current licensing and insurance papers from any potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that carry leading trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Steer clear of companies that only install generic no-name guards or their own off-brand products. These lesser-known products may not have gone through rigorous quality testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For superior performance, gutter guards need to be measured and trimmed on-site to match your specific gutter setup. Choose a company that custom measures and trims guards specifically for your home, rather than using universal guards. Properly fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers normally have 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover clogs, leaks, rust, and other defects. Before selecting a provider, carefully read through the warranty terms for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to safeguard your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on Google Reviews, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to read about customer experiences. Ask neighbors for recommendations of quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, you should choose companies with consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Brush guards are precisely what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris while letting water through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to block debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.46 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.20 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 rather than sitting on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.99 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 pay $5.07 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into gutters while debris slides off. Generally, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.10 per linear foot.
