Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but symptoms 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.
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks from the gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Companies with years of gutter guard installation experience that have handled various styles and models will know how to measure accurately and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Contact these providers 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 safeguards you in case of injuries or accidents that could arise. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for reputable gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter 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 ideal performance, gutter guards need to be custom-fitted to match your specific gutter setup. Choose a company that custom measures and trims guards specifically for your home, rather than using universal guards. Accurately fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers usually provide 20-year or lifetime warranties against clogs, rust, leaks, and other defects. Before picking a provider, closely inspect its warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on Google Reviews, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to find customer feedback. Ask neighbors to suggest companies that provide quality local gutter guard installation. When researching, look for providers with consistently good feedback rather than only one or two sporadic reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary gutter guard types are as follows:
- Brush guards are exactly what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to let water through while catching debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to catch debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.46 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while keeping out debris. Screen guards cost around $4.23 per linear foot.
- 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 rather than sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.01 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, allowing even less debris into your gutters than mesh. They are extremely effective. On average, you can expect to spend $5.10 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. Typically, they will be visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.12 per linear foot.
