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They’re probably not one of the first things people notice about your home, but without them your house will be in big trouble. They’re gutters, and if they aren’t working properly, your home may face a lot of damage.
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| If your gutters are old, broken or sagging water will pour off the roof and saturate the ground below, potentially seeping into the basement and creating a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Without properly installed gutters the exterior walls of your home may become streaked and damaged by water runoff. |
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| Gutters should be up near the top of the home improvement list of things that need to be done. |
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| Gutter materials |
| The most commonly used gutter materials on the market today are vinyl, aluminum, copper and galvanized steel. Read on for a comparison of the various materials: |
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| Vinyl gutters (PVC) |
| Vinyl gutters are tough, easy to install, weather resistant, low maintenance and economical. Although they traditionally only came in white, a variety of colors are now on the market. Extreme hot weather and extreme cold are both hard on vinyl siding, often causing deterioration. |
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| Aluminum gutters |
| Aluminum gutters, like vinyl, are durable, easy to install, weather resistant and inexpensive. They do require a bit more maintenance, however, as the sealant needs to be reapplied more frequently than with vinyl. If that sounds like too much work, then you’ll be glad to know they can come as a seamless system, which has much less chance of leaks. |
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| Steel gutters |
| Steel gutters, or galvanized gutters as some call them, are stronger than either aluminum or vinyl. They are also less affected by temperature fluctuations. They do, however, experience rust if not maintained properly so they need to be repainted periodically to protect them. They are also available as a seamless system. |
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| Copper gutters |
| Copper is expensive but offers great value — it’s extremely durable, it does not corrode and requires very little maintenance. Over time the color will change from light to dark and then to green. Some homeowners see this as part of the charm, others opt for sealant to stop that oxidation process. |
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| Accessories |
| There are a variety of accessories on the market today, such as a guard that helps to keep debris and other matter from clogging the gutters, or heating cables to prevent ice dams in the wintertime. If you’re not going to be up on a ladder every few weeks checking the gutters, these handy products may just save your system — and save you a lot of money in the long run. |
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| Maintenance |
| No matter what material you use for your gutter, a well-installed system should keep your basement dry and protect the exterior of your home. But the gutter needs maintenance if it can continue to do its job over the long term. Although cleaning and maintaining your gutters is usually not one at the top of the “things I want to do this weekend” list, it is essential for a healthy home. Left to fend for themselves, gutters will become clogged and heavy — leaving water to spill out everywhere. Sometimes the gutters can even pull free and fall down from all the weight. |
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| Gutters need to be checked periodically to ensure they’re working properly. Proper maintenance includes the following: |
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Clear all accumulated debris |
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Check the slop of the gutter |
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Run water through the system and check for leaks and problem areas |
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Periodically scrape off old and worn sealant, clean and dry the joints then apply new sealant on the seams |
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Check fastenings for damage |
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Repair any loose spikes |
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| Compare FREE Estimates From Gutter / Sheet Metal Contractors NOW! |
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