Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always required, the symptoms of congested gutters are typically clear. Signs of chronic gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your foundation
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have handled many different styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and install guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Contact these companies to learn about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always verify your gutter guard installers are licensed, bonded, and hold workers compensation and general liability insurance. This protects you from liability for any injuries or accidents that could occur. Ask to see current licensing and insurance papers when communicating with potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that provide highly reputable gutter guard brands like LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. 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, guards should be measured and cut on your property to fit your gutters. Pick a company that takes specific measurements and does custom cutting for guards for your home rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Correctly fitted guards won't have any gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover clogs, leaks, rust, and other defects. Before picking 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
Be sure to check online reviews on Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to find customer feedback. Ask neighbors to suggest companies that provide quality local gutter guard installation. When researching, look for providers with consistently good feedback rather than just a single recommendation.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, allowing water to pass through while catching debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.05 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to spend $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while stopping debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.46 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards stop debris but allow water to flow through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and encourage debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.19 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and allow even less debris through than mesh. These types of guards are very effective. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.26 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into gutter system while debris slides off. Typically, they can be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.28 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
