Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but the signs of clogged and overflowing gutters are clear. Signals of ongoing gutter troubles are:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When choosing an installation company, look for one with extensive experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Inquire about a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Make sure that any businesses you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, with both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you from liability for potential injuries and accidents. Request current licensing and insurance papers from any potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Seek out companies that offer tenured and trusted gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Be wary of companies only offering generic no-name or their own off-brand guards, as these likely lack the rigorous testing of larger brands.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, gutter guards should have custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Pick a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using one-size guards. Well-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against clogs, leaks, rust, and other issues. When selecting a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties provide the most effective protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on sites such as Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to see what customers say about their experience. You can also ask neighbors who they would recommend for quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, you should choose companies with a history of consistent positive feedback rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six typical gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Brush guards are precisely what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. Brush guards cost around $4.04 per linear foot.
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. This type of guard catches debris on the foam and keeps it out of your gutter. On average, you can expect to pay $2.45 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while keeping out debris. Screen guards cost around $4.14 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 the gutters. Mesh guards cost roughly $3.94 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris into your gutters than mesh. These guards are extremely effective. On average, you can expect to pay $5.03 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 are normally visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.06 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
