Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but symptoms of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with years of gutter guard installation experience that have worked with many different styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and install guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Contact these providers to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Check that the providers you're considering have valid licensing, bonding, workers compensation coverage, and general liability insurance. This shields you in case of injuries or accidents that could arise. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that provide leading trusted gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Steer clear of companies that only offer generic no-name guards or their own off-brand products. These lesser-known products may not have gone through rigorous quality testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, guards should be sized and trimmed on-site to fit your gutters. Select a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your home rather than using universal guards. Accurately fitted guards minimize gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies usually provide 20-year or lifetime warranties covering rust, clogs, leaks, and other defects. Before picking a provider, closely inspect its warranty terms on workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, or Google Reviews to learn more about customer experiences. 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
The six typical types of gutter guards include the following:
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that rest in your gutters to catch debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. On average, you can expect to spend $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, stopping debris and allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.21 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly block debris while letting water filter through. These guards are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $4.00 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, allowing even less debris through than mesh. They are very effective. On average, you can expect to pay $5.08 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let debris slide off while water flows into the gutter. They are often visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.10 per linear foot.
