Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always needed, but the signs of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Signals of chronic gutter issues include:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Soggy ground or visible erosion patterns around your house's foundation
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Frequent clogs that cause overflow and water to spill over gutters
- Visibly saggy, damaged, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When selecting an installation company, look for one with considerable experience and knowledge about many brands and guard types. An experienced company will understand how to measure and install gutter guards for your specific needs. Ask about a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
When speaking with potential installation companies, always confirm that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you if any injuries or accidents occur. Ask for current licensing and insurance papers from potential providers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for installers that offer tenured trusted gutter guard brands such as Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. 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 ideal performance, gutter guards need to be custom-fitted to match your specific gutter setup. Choose a company that uniquely sizes and cuts guards specifically for your home, rather than using one-size-fits-all guards. Correctly fitted guards will leave no gaps for debris to get stuck.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies usually provide 20-year or lifetime warranties that cover clogs, leaks, rust, and other defects. Before selecting a provider, closely inspect its warranty terms on materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your investment into your gutters.
Check Reviews and Referrals
It's a good idea to research online reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, or Google Reviews to learn about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors to suggest quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, we'd recommend going for companies with consistently positive or good feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six typical gutter guard types include the following:
- Brush guards are what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters to catch debris while letting water through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.02 per linear foot.
- 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 $2.45 per linear foot for foam guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while blocking debris. On average, you can expect to spend $3.90 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly block debris while letting water filter through. These guards are durable and let debris slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $3.75 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 guards are extremely effective. On average, you can expect to spend $4.86 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, also called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let water flow into your gutters while debris slides off. Generally, they will be visible from the ground. Surface tension guards cost around $2.88 per linear foot.
