Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but evidence of obstructed gutters is clear. Signals of ongoing gutter troubles are:
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your home's foundation
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Leaky seams or joints 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 direct rainwater correctly
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Look for an experienced gutter guard installation provider that has been in business for several years and has installed a wide variety of guard types and models. These companies know how to properly measure and install gutter guards on your unique home setup. Ask how long they’ve been installing guards and request local referrals.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Verify that the providers you're considering have valid licensing, bonds, workers compensation coverage, and general liability insurance. This safeguards you in case of any injury or accident that could arise. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that offer tenured trusted gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet. Steer clear of companies that only offer generic no-name guards or their own off-brand products. These lesser-known products may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, gutter guards should have on-site sizing and cutting to match your gutters. Choose a company that takes specific measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using one-size options. Well-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties for leaks, clogs, rust, and other issues. When choosing a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties give you the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, Google Reviews, and other review sites to learn about customer experiences. Ask neighbors to recommend quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, you should choose companies with a track record of consistently good feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six typical gutter guard types include the following:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to block debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. On average, you can expect to spend $2.46 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are exactly what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to let water through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.04 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while blocking debris. Screen guards cost roughly $4.33 per linear foot.
- Mesh guards stop debris but let water through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and allow debris to slide off as opposed to sitting on top of your gutters. Mesh guards cost around $4.09 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and allow even less debris through than mesh. They are very effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.17 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let water flow into gutters while debris slides off. Normally, they are visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost roughly $3.19 per linear foot.
