Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always necessary, signs of clogged gutters are clear. Some indicators of persistent gutter problems include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
The right installation company will have extensive experience, including many years in business and experience with various brands and models. Companies with experience can properly take measurements and install gutter guards to meet your distinct needs. Ask how long a company has been performing installations and request referrals from nearby customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Confirm that any businesses you're considering are properly certified, bonded, and insured, holding both workers compensation and general liability protection. This protects you from liability for potential injuries and accidents. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
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 custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Select a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your home instead of using one-size guards. Properly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for rust, leaks, clogs, and other issues. When choosing a company, read through the warranty details for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties provide the most effective protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check 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 for recommendations on quality gutter guard businesses near you. When researching potential providers, we recommend selecting companies with consistently good reviews rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary gutter guard types. These 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 around $2.45 per linear foot.
- 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 around $4.03 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.09 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while allowing water to filter through. Mesh guards are durable and help debris slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.90 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are generally the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than regular mesh guards, which lets even less debris through. On average, you can expect to spend $5.00 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage debris to slide off while water flows into the gutter. They can usually be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.02 per linear foot.
