Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Although gutter guards aren't always needed, indicators of blocked gutters are typically clear. Signs of chronic gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your house's foundation
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When picking an installation company, look for one with considerable 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. Inquire about a provider's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When getting in touch with potential installation providers, always make sure that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability protection. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that provide leading trusted gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Steer clear of companies that only offer their own off-brand products or generic no-name guards. These lesser-known products may not have the same level of rigorous testing as major brands.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, gutter guards should have custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Choose a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your home instead of using universal options. Correctly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers typically have 20-year or lifetime warranties against clogs, rust, leaks, and other defects. Before picking a company, 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
Be sure to check online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, Google Reviews, 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 consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six typical gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. Foam guards cost around $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, allowing water to pass through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.05 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while keeping out debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.46 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while letting water filter through. Mesh guards are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $4.19 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than standard mesh guards and allow even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.26 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into your gutters while debris slides off. Normally, they are visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.28 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
