Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but evidence of blocked gutters is clear. Signals of recurring gutter troubles are:
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- 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
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When picking an installation company, look for one with considerable experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and install gutter guards for your specific needs. Check a provider's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Confirm that any providers you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, holding both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you from liability for possible injuries and accidents. Request current licensing and insurance papers from any potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that provide top gutter guard brands like Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Avoid companies that offer only their own off-brands or generic no-name guards, which may not have undergone rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For optimal performance, gutter guards need to be measured and trimmed on-site to match your specific gutter setup. Pick a company that custom measures and trims guards specifically for your home, rather than using universal guards. Accurately fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard installers normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against leaks, rust, clogs, and other issues. Before selecting a company, carefully review the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to look at online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, or Google Reviews to learn about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors to suggest 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
There are six primary 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 light and easy to install. On average, you can expect to spend $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, stopping debris while allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost around $4.23 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while letting water filter through. These guards are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $4.01 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are normally the most effective. They have smaller holes than regular mesh guards and allow even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.10 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into gutters while debris slides off. Generally, they will be visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.12 per linear foot.
