Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always needed, indicators of obstructed gutters are clear. Issues stemming from persistent gutter problems include:
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have worked with many different styles and models will know how to measure accurately and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these providers to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation companies, always verify that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability coverage. This protects you if any injuries or accidents occur. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Seek out companies that carry leading reputable gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Be wary of companies that only carry 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, guards should be sized and trimmed on-site to fit your gutters. Pick a company that custom sizes and cuts guards for your home rather than using universal guards. Accurately fitted guards won't have any gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering rust, leaks, clogs, and other defects. Before picking a provider, look into its warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, 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 near you. When researching potential providers, it's best to opt for companies with a history of consistent positive feedback rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six most common gutter guard types include the following:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. Foam guards cost roughly $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and let water through while catching debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water flow through while stopping debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.31 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 the gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $4.07 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. They have smaller holes than standard mesh guards and allow even less debris through. On average, you can expect to pay $5.15 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into your gutter system while debris slides off. Typically, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.17 per linear foot.
