Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't always necessary, but evidence of blocked gutters is clear. Signals of recurring gutter troubles are:
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
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 install guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these companies to learn about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Make sure that any businesses you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, with both workers compensation and general liability policies. 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 installers that provide leading trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Steer clear of companies that only offer their own off-brand products or generic no-name guards. These lesser-known products may not have gone through rigorous quality testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, guards should be measured and cut on your property to fit your gutters. Pick a company that custom sizes and cuts guards for your home rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Correctly fitted guards minimize gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against leaks, rust, clogs, and other issues. Before selecting a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to safeguard your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on Yelp, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to read about customer experiences. Ask neighbors to recommend quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to select companies with consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six most common gutter guard types are as follows:
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. Debris collects on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to pay $2.45 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, catching debris and allowing water to pass through. Brush guards cost around $4.03 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while keeping debris out. Screen guards cost roughly $4.08 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while allowing water to filter through. Mesh gutter guards are durable and help debris slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.89 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, letting even less debris into your gutters than mesh. They are very effective. On average, you can expect to spend $4.99 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let debris slide off while water flows through into the gutter. They can usually be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.01 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
