Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but the signs of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Signals of chronic gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When selecting an installation company, look for one with considerable experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. A company with experience will understand how to measure and install gutter guards for your specific needs. Check a provider's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When getting in touch with potential installation providers, always verify that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation 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 companies that offer top gutter guard brands like Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Avoid companies that only install generic no-name guards or their own off-brands, which may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For ideal performance, gutter guards need to be sized and cut on-site to match your unique gutter setup. Pick a company that custom measures and trims guards specifically for your home, rather than using universal guards. Properly fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover rust, clogs, leaks, and other defects. Before choosing a provider, closely inspect its warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to look at online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, or Google Reviews to hear more 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 one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary types of gutter guards include the following:
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. Foam guards cost roughly $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are exactly what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.04 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while keeping debris out. On average, you can expect to pay $4.17 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while letting water flow through. Mesh guards are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.97 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, letting even less debris through than mesh. These types of guards are very effective. On average, you can expect to pay $5.06 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let water flow into your gutter system while debris slides off. Generally, they are visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.08 per linear foot.
