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Are New Gutters Worth the Investment?

Your gutters are a vital part of your home, when you boil it all down. It makes sense that gutters were one of the earliest ideas in the construction of primitive homes, because people quickly saw how rainfall (especially heavy rainfall, or snow melt) led to damaged homes, foundations, and landscapes. If you strip the gutter system off of your home and spend a season or two without gutters, you’ll see gutters in a whole new light. They really are a vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to owning and maintaining a financially viable home.

The problem is, there are so many gutter installations out there that fall woefully short of expectations. The reasons can be varying: Low quality materials, unskilled workers, or even disreputable contractors. The biggest reason of all, of course, is that it’s been too long since your last gutter repair or installation. This is one area that American homeowners definitely tend to neglect, statistically speaking. People have so many other expenses to address, and it’s completely understandable to say, “we’ll wait until next year to address the gutters.”

Alternatively, you can use DIY repair methods (various repair kits are available at home goods stores) to achieve a temporary result. But the same problems are likely to creep up on you again next year, and the year after that…

The question arises: Are new gutters worth the investment?

The answer, of course, depends on the particulars of the situation – but no assessment of your gutters can be correct without an understanding that your gutters really are important. It’s a simple thing, but it saves time and money in the long run.

There are a few questions you can ask yourself when thinking about your gutters this summer, and whether it might be worth investing in comprehensive repairs or full gutter replacement.

First, are there any noticeable problems with your gutters? Examples might include leaks, sagging sections of gutter, or water-damaged areas on the front, sides, or back of your home. If any of these problems are obvious, the first thing you’ll probably want to do is think about repairs, rather than replacing the entire gutter system.

It can be difficult to know, however, whether repairs can really solve the problem for a meaningful length of time. A professional assessment is much better, as you’re able to get the opinion of a skilled and trained gutter installation specialist before deciding what to do.

Second, how old are your gutters? If they were installed more than ten years ago, it might be time to start shopping for a modern, stylish, practical replacement system. Gutters have come a long way in recent years, using better materials and designs to achieve more durable and effective results through the seasons. A modest investment can really take gutters off of your radar for a good long time, provided you keep up with routine maintenance checks, and keep the gutters clear of debris.

A lot of gutter problems can be solved fairly, at least temporarily, with DIY repair methods – but when it’s time professionally repair your gutters, or strip the old material away and start fresh, make sure you pick a reliable and experienced specialist to handle the job.