Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Although gutter guards aren't always required, indicators of blocked gutters are typically clear. Signs of chronic gutter issues include:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's 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
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 take accurate measurements and attach guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these providers to get details regarding their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Make sure that any providers you're considering are properly certified, bonded, and insured, holding both general liability and workers compensation coverage. 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 leading gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid off-brand or generic no-name guards, which likely lack thorough testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For ideal performance, gutter guards need to be measured and trimmed on-site to match your unique gutter setup. Select a company that uniquely sizes and cuts guards specifically for your home, rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Accurately fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers usually provide 20-year or lifetime warranties covering rust, clogs, leaks, and other defects. Before selecting a provider, closely inspect its warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Yelp to learn about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors to suggest quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to choose companies with consistently positive or good feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six typical types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to catch debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.45 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are precisely what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris while letting water through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while keeping out debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.17 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while letting water filter through. They are durable and let debris slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.96 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than regular mesh guards, which lets even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.05 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into gutters while debris slides off. Typically, they can be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.08 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
