Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't always necessary, but evidence of obstructed gutters is clear. Signals of chronic gutter troubles are:
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have handled a wide variety of styles and models will know how to measure accurately and attach guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these companies to get details regarding their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When contacting potential installation companies, always verify that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability policies. This protects you if any injuries or accidents occur. Request current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that offer tenured and trustworthy gutter guard brands like Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Avoid companies that only install generic no-name guards or their own off-brands, which may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, guards should be sized and trimmed on-site to fit your gutters. Choose a company that takes specific measurements and does custom cutting for guards for your home rather than using generic guards. Properly fitted guards minimize gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies typically offer 20-year or lifetime warranties protecting against leaks, clogs, rust, and other issues. Before choosing a provider, thoroughly review the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the best way to safeguard your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, and other review sites to find customer feedback. Ask neighbors to suggest companies that provide quality local gutter guard installation. When researching, look for providers with a history of steady positive reviews rather than only one or two sporadic reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Brush guards are just 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 large pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to stop debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. On average, you can expect to spend $2.45 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while stopping debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.14 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards stop debris but let water through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and encourage debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of your gutters. Mesh guards cost around $3.94 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are generally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than standard mesh guards, which allows even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.03 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into your gutter system while debris slides off. Generally, they will be visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.06 per linear foot.
