Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren't required for all homes, but the signs of clogged and overflowing gutters are clear. Indicators of ongoing gutter troubles are:
- 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.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Leaky joints or seams where water leaks out of gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
Providers with extensive gutter guard installation experience that have handled many different styles and models will know how to measure accurately and fit guards to your home’s unique dimensions. Get in touch with these providers to learn about their experience and ask for local references.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When getting in touch with potential installation providers, always verify that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation protection. This protects you if any injuries or accidents occur. Request current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that provide top gutter guard brands like Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Avoid companies that only install generic no-name guards or their own off-brands, which may not have gone through the same level of rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
Gutter guards should be measured and trimmed on-site to match your gutters. Select a company that specifically measures and trims guards for your house rather than using generic guards. Guards fitted for your home leave no gaps for debris accumulation.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers often offer 20-year or lifetime warranties covering clogs, rust, leaks, and other issues. When choosing a company, carefully examine the warranty details for both workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties offer the best protection for your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, Yelp, and other review sites to see customer feedback. Ask neighbors to suggest companies that provide quality local gutter guard installation. When researching, look for providers with a history of steady positive reviews rather than only one or two sporadic reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that rest in your gutters to catch debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. On average, you can expect to pay $2.47 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Brush guards are just what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to block debris but let water through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.06 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water through while stopping debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.73 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while allowing water to filter through. Mesh gutter guards are durable and encourage debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $4.40 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards have even smaller holes than mesh guards and allow even less debris through than mesh. These guards are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.45 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to encourage debris to slide off while water flows into the gutter. They can typically be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to spend $3.47 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
