Signs You May Need Gutter Guards
While gutter guards aren't always needed, indicators of blocked gutters are usually clear. Signs of ongoing gutter issues include:
- Mold growth, interior wall stains, or peeling exterior paint on walls near gutters.
- Soggy ground or visible erosion around your foundation
- Visibly saggy, damaged, 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 from the gutters
How To Choose a Gutter Guard Installer
Assess Their Experience
When choosing an installation company, look for one with years of experience and knowledge about various brands and guard types. A company with experience will understand how to measure and fit gutter guards for your specific needs. Check a company's years of experience and request referrals from local customers.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Confirm that any companies you're considering are properly licensed, bonded, and insured, holding both general liability and workers compensation coverage. This protects you from liability for possible injuries and accidents. Ask potential providers for current licensing and insurance papers.
Choose Reputable Brands
Look for companies that carry leading gutter guard brands like Gutter Helmet and LeafFilter. Avoid companies that offer only their own off-brands or generic no-name guards, which may lack rigorous testing.
Seek Custom Fit Services
For the best performance, gutter guards should have to be measured and fitted on-site to match your gutters. Select a company that takes custom measurements and trims guards for your house instead of using one-size options. Correctly-fitted guards prevent debris-trapping gaps from forming.
Examine Warranties
Top gutter guard installers usually provide 20-year or lifetime warranties covering leaks, rust, clogs, and other defects. Before choosing a provider, closely inspect its warranty terms for workmanship and materials guarantees. Warranties are the best way to protect your gutter investment.
Check Reviews and Referrals
You should check online reviews on sites such as Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to hear more about customer experiences. You can also ask neighbors for recommendations on quality local gutter guard companies. When researching providers, it's best to choose companies with a history of good reviews instead of just one or two reviews.
Types of Gutter Guards
The six most common types of gutter guards are as follows:
- Foam guards are large pieces of foam that sit in your gutters to block debris. They're light and easy to install. Foam guards cost around $2.48 per linear foot.
- Brush guards are what they sound like: large brush bristles that sit in your gutters and block debris but let water through. On average, you can expect to spend $4.07 per linear foot for brush guards.
- Screen guards have large holes that allow water through while keeping out debris. On average, you can expect to spend $4.77 per linear foot for screen guards.
- Mesh guards stop debris but allow water to flow through. Mesh guards have even smaller holes than screen guards. They're durable and let debris slide off as opposed to sitting on top of the gutters. Mesh guards cost roughly $4.43 per linear foot.
- Micro-mesh guards are usually the most effective. Micro-mesh guards have smaller holes than regular mesh guards, which allows even less debris through. Micro-mesh guards cost around $5.48 per linear foot.
- Surface tension guards, sometimes called reverse curve guards, use surface tension to allow debris to slide off while water flows through into the gutter. They are normally visible from the ground. On average, you can expect to pay $3.49 per linear foot for surface tension guards.
