Gutter guard installation
Stop climbing the ladder every fall. Get guards matched to the trees over your house and the gutters you already have.
Gutter guards cover the top of your gutters so leaves, sticks and seed pods slide off instead of piling up inside. Around Hickory, where many homes sit under hardwoods and pines, the right guard can turn twice-a-year gutter cleaning into an occasional rinse.
Which gutter guard is best for my house?
It depends mostly on what falls on your roof.
- Mostly big leaves (oak, maple, poplar). Almost any rigid guard will help. Screens and perforated aluminum covers are the budget option.
- Pine needles, seeds and tassels. Micro-mesh is usually the answer, because needles slip through larger openings and jam downspouts.
- Steep roofs and heavy runoff. Ask how the guard handles a hard downpour. Some guards shed water over the front edge when rain comes off a steep roof fast.
- Visible front of the house. Low-profile mesh is nearly invisible from the street. Hood-style guards change the look of the roofline.
How are gutter guards installed?
A typical installation starts with cleaning and flushing the gutters and downspouts, checking the pitch and fixing loose hangers or leaking seams. The guard is then fastened to the front lip of the gutter and either slid under the first row of shingles or attached to the fascia, depending on the product. Ask your installer which method they use. Some shingle manufacturers have rules about lifting shingles, and fascia-mounted systems avoid that question.
Will gutter guards void my roof warranty?
Possibly, if the installation involves lifting or nailing through shingles in a way the shingle maker doesn't allow. Check your roof warranty, tell the installer what roof you have, and ask them to put the mounting method in writing.
Do guards need maintenance?
Yes, a little. Expect to brush off or hose down the top of the guards now and then, especially after spring pollen and when pines drop needles. Valleys where two roof slopes meet collect the most debris. A good guard keeps the inside of the gutter and the downspouts clear, which is the hard part.
What affects the cost of gutter guards?
- Guard type. Micro-mesh costs more than screens or foam.
- Linear feet and stories. Two-story and steep roofs take more labor and safety gear.
- Gutter condition. Repairs or re-pitching add to the job.
- Warranty. Longer clog-free and material warranties usually cost more.
Prices come from the gutter company after they've measured your house and looked at your roofline. We don't quote prices ourselves, and a phone estimate is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Are gutter guards worth it?
If you have trees over your roof and clean gutters more than once a year, they usually are. If there are no trees nearby, you may not need them.
Can pine needles get through gutter guards?
Through screens with large holes, yes. Fine micro-mesh stops most needles, though some may sit on top until wind or rain clears them.
How long do gutter guards last?
Metal guards often last as long as the gutters. Foam and plastic inserts wear out sooner. Ask for the product and workmanship warranties in writing.
Related services
More background: Catawba County gutter and drainage guide.
Tired of climbing a ladder every fall?
Call now and a local gutter company will come out and quote guards for your house.