Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Although gutter guards aren't always necessary, indicators of clogged gutters are usually clear. Signs of ongoing gutter problems include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your home's foundation
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks from the gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with years of gutter guard installation experience that have handled many different styles and models will know how to measure accurately and attach guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Contact these providers to get details regarding their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Always confirm professional gutter guard installers are licensed, bonded, and hold workers compensation and general liability insurance. This protects you from liability for any injuries or accidents that could occur. Ask to see current licensing and insurance papers when talking with potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that carry tenured trusted gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Steer clear of companies that only offer their own off-brand products or generic no-name guards. These lesser-known products may not have the same level of rigorous testing as major brands.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For superior performance, gutter guards need to be measured and fitted on-site to match your gutters. Select a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using one-size guards. Correctly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Leading gutter guard companies normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against clogs, rust, leaks, and other problems. Before choosing a company, carefully review the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are an excellent way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
You should check online reviews on sites such as Yelp, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to hear more about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to choose companies with consistently positive or good feedback instead of just a single review.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six primary gutter guard types include the following:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to catch debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.45 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are made of large brush bristles that are installed in your gutters, blocking debris while allowing water to pass through. On average, you can expect to pay $4.03 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while stopping debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.02 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while letting water filter through. They are durable and let debris slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.84 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and allow even less debris into your gutters than mesh. These types of guards are extremely effective. On average, you can expect to spend $4.94 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 can typically be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $2.97 per linear foot.
