Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always required, the symptoms of congested gutters are usually clear. Signs of chronic gutter issues include:
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer direct rainwater correctly
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your foundation
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
The right installation company will have ample experience, including multiple years in business and experience with various brands and models. Companies with experience can properly take measurements and install gutter guards to meet your distinct needs. Ask how long a company has been performing installations and request referrals from nearby customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When getting in touch with potential installation companies, always confirm that they are properly licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability protection. This protects you if any accidents or injuries happen. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for reputable gutter guard brands such as LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet when selecting an installer. Avoid generic no-name or off-brand guards, which likely lack thorough testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
Your 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
High-quality gutter guard companies normally offer 20-year or lifetime warranties against clogs, leaks, rust, and other issues. Before picking a company, carefully read through the warranty terms for materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective means of protecting your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or Yelp to see what customers say about their experience. You can also ask your neighbors to suggest quality gutter guard businesses in your area. When researching potential providers, you should choose companies with positive reviews consistently over time rather than just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six most common types of gutter guards. These include the following:
- Foam guards consist of pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to block debris. They're lightweight and easy to install. Foam guards cost roughly $2.46 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are exactly what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to let water through while blocking debris. Brush guards cost roughly $4.04 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that let water flow through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to pay $4.33 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly stop debris while allowing water to flow through. They are durable and help debris slide off rather than sit on your gutters. On average, you can expect to pay $4.09 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. They are extremely effective. Micro-mesh guards cost roughly $5.17 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 are normally visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $3.19 per linear foot.
