Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always needed, signs of backed up gutters are clear. Some indicators of persistent gutter problems include:
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When selecting an installation company, look for one with extensive experience and knowledge about various 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 company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation companies, always make sure that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you if any accidents or injuries occur. Request current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that provide tenured trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Steer clear of companies that only offer generic no-name guards or their own off-brand products. These lesser-known products may not have the same level of rigorous testing as major brands.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, guards should be custom fitted on-site to fit your gutters. Choose 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 minimize gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies typically offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against rust, leaks, clogs, and other problems. Before picking a company, carefully review the warranty terms for workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are an excellent means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Yelp to learn about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to choose companies with a history of good reviews instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary types of gutter guards include the following:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to block debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. On average, you can expect to pay $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are precisely what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and let water through while blocking debris. Brush guards cost around $4.05 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while keeping out debris. Screen guards cost around $4.46 per linear foot.
- 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. On average, you can expect to pay $4.19 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and allow even less debris into your gutters than mesh. They 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 let water flow into your gutter system while debris slides off. Generally, they are visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.28 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
