Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always needed, indicators of obstructed gutters are clear. Some indicators of persistent gutter problems include:
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your foundation
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have handled many different styles and models will know how to measure accurately and install guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these companies to learn about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When getting in touch with potential installation companies, always make sure that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability coverage. This protects you if any injuries or accidents occur. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that carry leading trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Steer clear of companies that only offer their own off-brand products or generic no-name guards. These lesser-known products may not have gone through rigorous quality testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, gutter guards should have custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Pick a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using generic options. Properly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties protecting against leaks, rust, clogs, and other issues. Before picking a provider, carefully read through the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the best way to safeguard your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on sites such as Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about customer experiences. You can also ask your neighbors to suggest quality gutter guard businesses near you. When researching potential providers, we recommend selecting companies with a history of consistent positive feedback 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 just what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. Brush guards cost around $4.03 per linear foot.
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to spend $2.45 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost around $4.11 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while letting water flow through. They are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.92 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and allow even less debris into your gutters than mesh. They are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.01 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow debris to slide off while water flows into the gutter. They are normally visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.04 per linear foot.
