Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but evidence of blocked gutters is clear. Signals of chronic gutter troubles are:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Leaky joints or seams 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 extensive gutter guard installation experience that have handled various styles and models will know how to take accurate measurements and attach guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Reach out to these providers to find out about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Verify that any businesses you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, holding both general liability and workers compensation protection. This shields you from liability for possible injuries and accidents. Request current licensing and insurance papers from any potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that provide top gutter guard brands like LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Avoid companies that offer only generic no-name guards or their own off-brands, which may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, gutter guards should have to be measured and fitted on-site to match your gutters. Choose a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your home instead of using universal guards. Correctly-fitted guards avoid debris-trapping gaps.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard installers typically offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for rust, leaks, clogs, and other issues. Before picking a company, carefully review the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Be sure to check online reviews on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, and other review sites to learn about customer experiences. Ask neighbors for recommendations of quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, you should choose companies with consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, allowing water to pass through while catching debris. Brush guards cost roughly $4.03 per linear foot.
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to catch debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.45 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost around $4.03 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 let debris slide off rather than sitting on top of your gutters. Mesh guards cost roughly $3.85 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris into your gutters than mesh. These guards are very effective. On average, you can expect to spend $4.95 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 can usually be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $2.98 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
