Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but indicators of blocked and overflowing gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have handled a wide variety of styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Contact these companies to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Make sure that any businesses you're considering are properly certified, bonded, and insured, with both general liability and workers compensation protection. This shields you from liability for possible injuries and accidents. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that carry highly reputable gutter guard brands like Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Avoid companies that only install their own off-brands or generic no-name guards, which may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, gutter guards need to be measured and fitted on-site to match your gutters. Pick a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using generic options. Properly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers typically offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that protect against rust, clogs, leaks, and other problems. Before selecting a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are an excellent way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on sites like 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 consistently good reviews rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Foam guards are light and easy to install. Debris collects on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to pay $2.47 per linear foot for foam guards.
- 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 $4.05 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.51 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but let water through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and encourage debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of your gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.23 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris into your gutters than mesh. These types of guards are very effective. On average, you can expect to pay $5.30 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 through into the gutter. They are often visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.31 per linear foot.
