Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but the signs of clogged and overflowing gutters are clear. Signals of recurring gutter troubles are:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Look for an experienced gutter guard installation provider that has been in business for multiple years and has installed many different brands and models of gutter guards. These companies know how to properly take measurements and handle the installation of gutter guards on your unique home setup. Ask how long they’ve been in business and request local referrals.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When contacting potential installation companies, always confirm that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Seek out companies that offer tenured and trusted gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Be wary of companies only offering generic no-name or their own off-brand guards, as these likely do not have the same rigorous testing as reputable national brands.
Seek Custom Fit Services
Guards should be sized and cut while at your home to match your gutters. Select a company that custom measures and trims guards for your house rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Guards fitted for your home leave no gaps for debris accumulation.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for clogs, rust, leaks, and other problems. Before choosing a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
You should check online reviews on sites such as Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to read about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors to suggest quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, we'd recommend going for companies with consistently positive or good feedback instead of just a single review.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to stop debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.45 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that partially obstruct your gutters, allowing water to pass through while stopping debris. Brush guards cost around $4.03 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.10 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but let water through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and allow debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of the gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $3.91 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris through than mesh. These guards are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.01 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow water to flow into your gutters while debris slides off. Generally, they can be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.03 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
