Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always needed, signs of clogged gutters are clear. Some indicators of persistent gutter problems include:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your home's foundation
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- 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 considerable experience and knowledge about various brands and guard types. A company with experience will understand how to take measurements and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Check a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation providers, always make sure that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that provide 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 lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For superior performance, gutter guards need to be custom-fitted to match your unique gutter setup. Choose a company that custom measures and trims guards specifically for your home, rather than using generic guards. Correctly fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
High-quality gutter guard companies usually offer 20-year or lifetime warranties protecting against clogs, leaks, rust, and other defects. Before choosing a company, thoroughly review the warranty terms for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to safeguard your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to look at online reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Yelp to read about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, you should opt for companies with a history of good reviews 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 pay $2.47 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are precisely what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and catch debris while letting water through. Brush guards cost around $4.06 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.67 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly block debris while allowing water to flow through. Mesh gutter guards are durable and help debris slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $4.35 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. These guards are extremely effective. On average, you can expect to pay $5.41 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage water to flow into gutters while debris slides off. Typically, they can be seen from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.42 per linear foot.
