Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't always necessary, but evidence of clogged gutters is clear. Signals of chronic gutter troubles are:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Companies with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have handled various styles and models will know how to measure accurately and install guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Contact these companies to get details regarding their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always confirm your gutter guard installers are properly licensed, bonded, and maintain workers compensation and general liability insurance. This protects you from liability for any accidents or injuries that might happen. Ask to see current licensing and insurance papers when speaking to potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that provide top gutter guard brands like LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Avoid companies that only install their own off-brands or generic no-name guards, which may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For superior performance, gutter guards need to be custom-fitted to match your specific gutter setup. Select a company that custom measures and trims guards specifically for your home, rather than using generic guards. Properly fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for clogs, rust, leaks, and other issues. When picking a company, read through the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties provide the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
You should check online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, or Google Reviews to learn about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors to suggest quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to choose companies with a history of good reviews instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, catching debris and allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.05 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to stop debris. They're light and easy to install. On average, you can expect to pay $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost around $4.45 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but allow water to flow 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 your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $4.18 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are typically the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than standard mesh guards, which lets even less debris through. On average, you can expect to spend $5.25 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 through into the gutter. They can typically be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.27 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
