Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always necessary, the symptoms of congested gutters are typically clear. Signs of ongoing gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your foundation
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
The right installation company will have ample experience, including many years in business and experience with various brands and models. Experienced companies can properly measure and fit gutter guards to meet your distinct needs. Ask how long a company has been doing installations and request referrals from nearby customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When contacting potential installation providers, always make sure that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability policies. This protects you if any accidents or injuries occur. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for leading gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid generic no-name or off-brand guards, which likely lack thorough testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For optimal performance, gutter guards should have custom measurements and trimming on-site to match your gutters. Pick a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your home instead of using universal options. Properly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies typically offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that protect against leaks, clogs, rust, and other issues. Before selecting a company, carefully review the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, Google Reviews, and other review sites to see customer feedback. Ask neighbors which companies they recommend for quality local gutter guard installation. When researching, look for providers with plenty of satisfied customers rather than only one or two sporadic reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to stop debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. On average, you can expect to pay $2.48 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, blocking debris while allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.07 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.76 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly block debris while allowing water to filter through. Mesh guards are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $4.43 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and let even less debris through than mesh. These types of guards are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.48 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into gutter system while debris slides off. Generally, they are visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.49 per linear foot.