Go-To Gutter Guide for Homeowners: Should You Repair or Replace?
The humble gutter doesn’t get much glory considering all the work it does to protect home and property. In fact, it’s easy to forget about this critical home feature until something goes wrong or it’s time to clean them out. Use this go-to guide to troubleshoot and decide if it’s time to repair or replace gutters.
Your gutters are sagging.
Gutters sag when they’re weighed down with debris, leaves, and other materials. The sagging is more than unsightly; it can cause damage to your home–damage that’s pricey and inconvenient to fix.
For example, a gutter can become so heavy it pulls away from the home, taking the fascia with it. In serious cases, it can detach from the house completely and fall to the ground, posing a hazard to people and property alike.
While adding a brace under the problem area can fix the sag, it’s not the most effective or safest way to address this issue, especially long-term. The best lasting fix is to replace that stretch of gutter.
Your gutters are leaking.
The purpose of gutters and downspouts is to carry water away from your home so it doesn’t pool around the foundation.
If your gutters are leaking, that means water is dropping and pooling around the foundation, where it can seep into the basement and, in some cases, cause cracking or bowing.
Gutter leaks are often caused by damage, such as a limb hitting the gutter during a storm or holes created by rust. Damage from animals, like those pesky squirrels, can harm gutters as well.
Your gutters are clogged.
Debris buildup can trigger big-time trouble in your gutters and roof. It allows water to back up so it overflows the gutters and pools on the roof.
If your home doesn’t have gutter guards, clean them at least twice each year to keep water flowing away from the home. You should also clear them anytime you see visible signs of a blockage, such as a plant growing from the gutter.
Should you repair or replace gutters?
Usually small or localized areas of damage are fairly straightforward repairs and, if you’re a handy person, you may be able to do it yourself. For example, sometimes a small hole can be plugged by applying an exterior-grade sealant. Just be sure to always follow proper safety precautions any time you use a ladder to reach your gutters or roof.
However, if the damage is widespread, or if you don’t feel comfortable making gutter repairs yourself, contact Best Contracting.
Our expert team will conduct an inspection and let you know what your options are to repair or replace gutters. We can install seamless gutters and GutterFilter gutter guards on your home in Lancaster County, Chester County, Berks County, and many other areas in PA, MD, NJ, and DE.
