Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always necessary, but the signs of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Signals of chronic gutter issues include:
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When choosing an installation company, look for one with extensive experience and knowledge about various brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Check a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always verify professional gutter guard installers are properly licensed, bonded, and maintain general liability insurance and workers compensation. This protects you from liability for any accidents or injuries that could occur. Ask to see current licensing and insurance papers when evaluating potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for reputable gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid off-brand or generic no-name guards, which likely do not undergo the same level of rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, gutter guards need to be measured and fitted on-site to match your gutters. Pick a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your home instead of using one-size options. Properly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard installers normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that protect against leaks, clogs, rust, and other problems. Before selecting a company, carefully review the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, or Google Reviews to see what customers say about their experience. You can also ask your neighbors who they would recommend for quality gutter guard businesses near you. When researching potential providers, you should choose companies with positive reviews consistently over time rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six typical types of gutter guards are as follows:
- Brush guards are what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to let water through while blocking debris. Brush guards cost roughly $4.04 per linear foot.
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that rest in your gutters to block debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. On average, you can expect to spend $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost around $4.33 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 encourage debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of your gutters. Mesh guards cost roughly $4.09 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are normally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than regular mesh guards and let even less debris through. On average, you can expect to pay $5.17 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into gutters while debris slides off. Generally, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.19 per linear foot.
