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How Long Do Gutters Last On A House?

A gutter system has a single sole purpose in our homes, and that is to safeguard the integrity of the house by keeping water away as much as possible. When the roof collects rainwater, the water finds its way into the gutters, which in turn loses it into the ground or drainage system away from the house where it cannot damage it.

However, these systems too, have their expiry date, a time in which they need a replacement. With that view in mind, one of the most serious concerns for most people is how long the gutter system lasts in a house. This article looks at the different factors that affect how long gutters last on your house.

What Reduces the Lifespan of a Gutter System?

Rain gutters system  on new house with chimney, red clay tiled roof

The first thing you want to understand is the different factors that may lead to a reduced lifespan of a gutter system on a house. Being aware of such practices will help you avoid them so that your gutters meet their intended lifespan. The most grievous injustice you can ever do to your gutters is failing to maintain it. The gutter will collect leaves in the neighborhood at some point. When the leaves decay in the gutters, they tend to give off nitrogen that can corrode the material used to make the gutters. They can also collect dust from the atmosphere and when this combines with rainwater, it becomes mud, which affects the free flow of rainwater.

As you do the maintenance, remember not to lean your ladder against the gutters while cleaning, as this may crack them and make them weak. Choosing the wrong material for your gutter can also reduce its lifespan by a big margin.

Maintenance is the Key

Maintenance entails cleaning the gutters so that they perform as they are intended to. It will also help you detect underlying issues so that you can correct them before they get out of hand. Maintenance cost cannot come anywhere close to the cost of replacing a gutter system with a new one so organize for one every year. Cut down the trees or any other vegetation that hangs over the roof. This will greatly reduce the number of leaves and debris that find their way into the gutters.

You can also prevent the leaves and debris from getting into the gutters in the first place, by installing leaf guards. Also, organize professional gutters cleaning by a certified company at least once a year. The cleaners do not just clean the gutters; they also detect underlying issues and recommend the necessary corrective measures.

Choosing the Right Gutter Material is Important

Depending on your budget and style, there are several options to go with when it comes to choosing the right material for your gutters. Most of these materials have a lifespan of up to 20 years while others will even give you up to 50 and 100 years of service, if well maintained. The most common gutter material is galvanized steel. It is coated with a rust-free layer of zinc and when well maintained, it will give you up to 20 years of service. Another great choice for gutters material is aluminum. It comes with a shiny surface that augurs well for your style while giving you up to 30 years of service. Aluminum is the best gutters material for people operating under a budget.

The most stylish and high-end gutter material is copper. As we all know, copper comes with a rust-resistant coating, which makes it perform best with rainwater flowing through the system. When installed properly and properly maintained, copper gutters will give you up to 100 years of great service.

Getting the right gutters and maintaining them is important. However, over time, you may find that things went sideways and your gutters experienced massive damage that no maintenance can save them. At this point, what is left for you to do is a replacement. So, how do you tell when your gutter system needs a replacement? If you see puddles of water on your exterior walls, it means the gutters are not losing the water properly and most of it is flowing down the wall hence the puddles. Peeling paint on the walls is also a sign that rainwater has been flowing down the walls instead of the gutters, and this means the system is beyond repair. However, even before you decide it is time to replace the gutters, ensure to do your due diligence to maintain a healthy gutter system.