Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always needed, signs of obstructed gutters are clear. Some indicators of persistent gutter problems include:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- 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
When picking an installation company, look for one with extensive experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to take measurements and install gutter guards for your specific needs. Check a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always confirm professional gutter guard installers are licensed, bonded, and maintain workers compensation and general liability insurance. This protects you from liability for any accidents or injuries that could occur. Ask to see current licensing and insurance papers when talking with potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that carry leading trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Steer clear of companies that only install 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 optimal 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
Leading gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering rust, clogs, leaks, and other issues. When choosing a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties offer the most effective protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, or Google Reviews to learn more about customer experiences. You can also ask your neighbors to suggest quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, we recommend selecting companies with positive reviews consistently over time rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six typical gutter guard types include the following:
- Brush guards are just what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris while letting water through. Brush guards cost around $4.06 per linear foot.
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. With this type of guard, debris lands on the foam instead of in your gutter. On average, you can expect to pay $2.47 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost around $4.67 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 as opposed to sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.35 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. They have smaller holes than regular mesh guards, which allows even less debris through. On average, you can expect to spend $5.41 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 into the gutter. They are normally visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.42 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
