Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always required, the symptoms of clogged gutters are usually clear. Signs of ongoing gutter problems include:
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When selecting an installation company, look for one with extensive experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to measure and install gutter guards for your specific needs. Ask about a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
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 protection. This protects you if any injuries or accidents happen. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that offer leading trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Steer clear of companies that only offer generic no-name guards or their own off-brand products. These lesser-known products may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For optimal performance, guards should be custom fitted on-site to fit your gutters. Pick a company that takes specific measurements and does custom cutting for guards for your home rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Correctly fitted guards won't have any gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers usually offer 20-year or lifetime warranties protecting against clogs, leaks, rust, and other defects. Before selecting a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best way to safeguard your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or Yelp to see what customers say about their experience. You can also ask your neighbors for recommendations on quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, it's best to opt for companies with consistently good reviews rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six typical gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that rest in your gutters to catch debris. They're light and easy to install. On average, you can expect to pay $2.45 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that partially obstruct your gutters, stopping debris while allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.03 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 $4.11 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly block debris while letting water flow through. They are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.92 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are typically the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than standard mesh guards, which allows even less debris through. On average, you can expect to spend $5.01 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 into the gutter. They are normally visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.03 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
