Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always necessary, indicators of clogged gutters are usually clear. Signs of ongoing gutter problems include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Companies with years of gutter guard installation experience that have worked with many different styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Contact these providers to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Confirm that any providers you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, with both general liability and workers compensation policies. This protects you from liability for possible injuries and accidents. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for well-known gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid off-brand or generic no-name guards, which likely do not undergo the same level of rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For optimal performance, gutter guards should have to be measured and fitted on-site to match your gutters. Select a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your home instead of using generic options. Well-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies typically have 20-year or lifetime warranties against leaks, clogs, rust, and other defects. Before choosing a provider, carefully read through the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the best way to safeguard your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on Google Reviews, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to read about customer experiences. Ask neighbors for recommendations of quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, we'd recommend opting for companies with a track record of consistently good feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary types of gutter guards are as follows:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. Debris collects on the foam instead of in your gutter. Foam guards cost roughly $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, stopping debris and allowing water to pass through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.05 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $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 allow 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, allowing even less debris through than mesh. They are extremely effective. On average, you can expect to pay $5.26 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage debris to slide off while water flows through into the gutter. They can typically be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.28 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
