Gutters are an incredibly important and often overlooked part of your house. They keep your home and property safe and dry during storms by directing water away from your the foundation. We often forget gutters are there, but doing so can be costly! In order to ensure your gutters are working properly, it’s important to provide them with regular maintenance. Below are four of the most common problems with residential gutters and how to fix them.
1. Clogged Gutters
Clogged gutters are an unavoidable fact of life. Unless you live in a treeless desert, your gutters are bound to fill up with leaves and debris and eventually get clogged. Most homeowners need to clean out their gutters at least once a year (more if your house is surrounded by trees). While the job can be done easily enough with a ladder, you should call a specialist if you live in a multi-story home or are not comfortable using a ladder on your own.
2. Leaky Gutters
In time, it’s common for gutters to develop cracks and leaks. Small leaks can often be fixed with a tube of gutter sealant. Larger cracks may require the installation of a patch to prevent the leak from growing. In the case of very long cracks that are pervasive throughout your gutters, it may be time to replace your system altogether. When in doubt, a gutter specialist will be able to tell you whether repairs are worth it — or whether you should consider a new installation.
3. Sagging Gutters
Gutters that are pulling away from your roof won’t do their job properly. There are a number of factors that might cause gutters to sag. For example — it the gutters are overflowing with debris, the weight can cause them to sag. Your first line of defense, therefore, is always cleaning out your gutters. If gutters are still sagging after they’ve been cleaned, you may need to tighten the screws on the hangers that secure your gutters to the roof. If the problem continues to occur, it’s likely that your hangers are spaced too far apart to provide proper support — in other words, faulty gutter installation is the culprit. You’ll likely need to new hangers installed closer together, but it may be possible to use your existing gutters.
4. Improperly Pitched Gutters
The pitch of your gutters refers to the angle at which they hang. For gutters to work properly, they need to be slanted so that accumulating water flows out freely. If your gutters are not pitched, water will pool in the gutters — which could cause them to sag. You may be able to adjust the gutter pitch by hand, but if they were installed improperly, they’ll need to be hung again to achieve the proper pitch.
Finding a Reputable Roofing Specialist
When it comes to keeping your gutters in top condition, it makes sense to hire a qualified roofing specialist for installation, cleaning, and periodic maintenance. Clean and functional gutters are your first line of defense against water damage to your home, so it’s best to hire a professional in making sure your gutter system is up to speed.