Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always necessary, but symptoms of blocked and overflowing gutters are clear. Signals of chronic gutter issues include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Mold growth, peeling exterior paint, or interior water stains on walls near gutters.
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When selecting an installation company, look for one with years of experience and knowledge about numerous brands and guard types. A company with experience will understand how to take measurements 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
Confirm that any companies you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, with both workers compensation and general liability protection. This protects you from liability for potential injuries and accidents. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for leading gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter when selecting an installer. Avoid generic no-name or off-brand guards, which likely do not undergo the same level of rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For top performance, guards should be measured and cut on your property to fit your gutters. Pick a company that takes specific measurements and does custom cutting for guards for your home rather than using universal guards. Correctly fitted guards minimize gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover leaks, clogs, rust, and other issues. Before selecting a provider, thoroughly review the warranty terms for both materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to safeguard your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to look at online reviews on Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to learn about customer experiences. Ask neighbors to recommend quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, we'd recommend opting for companies with a track record of consistently good feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Foam guards are lightweight and easy to install. The foam collects debris and keeps it out of your gutter. On average, you can expect to spend $2.44 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that sit inside your gutters, stopping debris and allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.02 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while stopping debris. Screen guards cost roughly $3.84 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while letting water flow through. They are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.70 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards, allowing even less debris into your gutters than mesh. They are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $4.82 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. Normally, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $2.84 per linear foot.