Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always necessary, indicators of obstructed gutters are clear. Issues stemming from persistent gutter problems include:
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint 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 years of gutter guard installation experience that have handled a wide variety of styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Reach out to these providers to learn about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When getting in touch with potential installation providers, always confirm that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation protection. This protects you if any injuries or accidents occur. Request current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that provide top gutter guard brands like Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Avoid companies that only install their own off-brands or generic no-name guards, which may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, gutter guards need on-site sizing and cutting to match your gutters. Choose a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using one-size options. Properly-fitted guards avoid debris-trapping gaps.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against rust, leaks, clogs, and other issues. When selecting a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties give you the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) 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, it's best to opt for companies with positive reviews consistently over time rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, stopping debris while allowing water to pass through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.01 per linear foot.
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to stop debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. On average, you can expect to pay $2.44 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost roughly $3.66 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but let water 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 $3.57 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris through than mesh. These guards are very effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $4.69 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage debris to slide off while water flows through into the gutter. They are often visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $2.72 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
