Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always necessary, the signs of clogged gutters are clear. Issues stemming from persistent gutter problems include:
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of 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.
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have worked with a wide variety of styles and models will know how to measure accurately and attach guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Reach out to these providers to get details regarding their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Make sure that any providers you're considering are properly certified, bonded, and insured, with both workers compensation and general liability protection. This shields you from liability for potential injuries and accidents. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for leading gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid off-brand or generic no-name guards, which likely have not gone through rigorous quality control testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For ideal performance, gutter guards need to be sized and cut on-site to match your specific gutter setup. Pick a company that uniquely sizes and cuts guards specifically for your home, rather than using generic guards. Correctly fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against clogs, leaks, rust, and other issues. When choosing a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties provide the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Yelp to learn more about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors to suggest quality gutter guard businesses near you. When researching potential providers, you should choose companies with consistently good reviews rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six typical types of gutter guards are as follows:
- Brush guards are precisely what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. This type of guard catches debris on the foam and keeps it out of your gutter. Foam guards cost around $2.46 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while keeping out debris. Screen guards cost around $4.27 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 allow debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of your gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.04 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. They have smaller holes than standard mesh guards and allow even less debris through. On average, you can expect to pay $5.13 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. Typically, they are visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.15 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
