Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but indicators of blocked and overflowing gutters are clear. Signals of chronic gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your house's foundation
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have handled many different styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Reach out to these companies to learn about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Verify that the providers you're considering have valid licenses, bonds, workers compensation coverage, and general liability insurance. This shields you in case of any incidents that could arise. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that offer top gutter guard brands like LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Avoid companies that offer only generic no-name guards or their own off-brands, which may not have gone through the same level of rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, guards should be sized and trimmed on-site to fit your gutters. Choose a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your home rather than using generic guards. Correctly fitted guards won't have any gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies typically have 20-year or lifetime warranties protecting against rust, clogs, leaks, and other issues. Before picking a provider, thoroughly review the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to safeguard your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Yelp to see what customers say about their experience. You can also ask your neighbors to suggest quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, you should choose companies with consistently good reviews rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that partially obstruct your gutters, allowing water to pass through while catching debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to catch debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.46 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while keeping debris out. Screen guards cost roughly $4.19 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but allow water to flow through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and let debris slide off rather than sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost roughly $3.98 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are generally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than regular mesh guards, which allows even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.07 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into your gutters while debris slides off. Generally, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.09 per linear foot.
