Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
Gutter guards aren’t always necessary, but indicators of overflowing and clogged gutters are clear. Here are some signals of chronic gutter issues:
- Leaky seams or joints where water leaks out of gutters
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Visibly damaged, sagging, or misaligned gutters that no longer correctly direct rainwater
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your home's foundation
- Frequent clogs that lead to overflow and water spilling over gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When picking 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 install gutter guards for your specific needs. Inquire 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 make sure that they are licensed, bonded, and insured with both workers compensation and general liability 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 Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Steer clear of companies that only install generic no-name guards or their own off-brand products. These lesser-known products may not have gone through rigorous quality testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For optimal performance, guards should be sized and trimmed on-site to fit your gutters. Choose a company that custom sizes and cuts guards for your home rather than using generic guards. Properly fitted guards won't have any gaps where debris can get trapped.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard companies are typically backed by 20-year or lifetime warranties against rust, clogs, leaks, and other defects. Before picking a provider, closely inspect its warranty terms on materials and workmanship guarantees. Warranties are the most effective way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Take some time to research online reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, Yelp, and other review sites to learn about customer experiences. Ask neighbors to recommend quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to select companies with consistent positive feedback instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
There are six primary gutter guard types. These include the following:
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that are placed in your gutters to catch debris. They're light and easy to install. On average, you can expect to pay $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 block debris but let water through. Brush guards cost roughly $4.05 per linear foot.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water to pass through while stopping debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.44 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards have smaller holes than screen guards and similarly catch debris while letting water flow through. These guards are durable and allow debris to slide off rather than sit on top of your gutters. On average, you can expect to spend $4.17 per linear foot for mesh guards.
- Micro-mesh guards are generally the most effective. They have smaller holes than regular mesh guards, which lets even less debris through. On average, you can expect to pay $5.24 per linear foot for micro-mesh guards.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to let debris slide off while water flows through into the gutter. They can typically be seen from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.26 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
