Why Having a Good Gutter System Matters
Let’s be honest. When it rains or when the snow melts, all of the water on your roof has to go somewhere. Sure, you could just let rain pour from your roof on all sides, but that means you’ll be wet anytime you enter or depart your home. More significantly, if you don’t have a solid gutter system in place to send all of that moisture away from your building, your roof, siding, windows, doors, building foundation, and other components can all suffer major water damage.
Rain gutters may not be the most attractive home exterior feature, but they are one of the most necessary. Reliable gutters properly drain and guide water away from your roof. But once your gutters are no longer able to function properly, that’s when you’ve got a real problem.
How to Know When It May Be Time to Replace Your Gutters
Sometimes all you have to do is search something up. If buckets of water are flowing down the sides of your gutters every time it rains, it’s safe to say you have a “problem.” In certain circumstances, the indications that it’s time to repair your gutters are more subtle. It may just be a case of noting the developing consequences of water erosion surrounding your property, beneath the regions where your gutters are intended to flow. In the worst-case scenario, plainly broken or damaged gutters can cause serious structural damage to your roof, attic, walls, infrastructure, or a combination of the above. At that time, damage might begin to occur both inside and outside your property.
If you’ve just endured a strong storm, now is a great opportunity to inspect your gutters. Have your gutters started to leak, peel away from your roof, droop, or are they resting at an unsteady angle that simply doesn’t appear level or right? If this is the case, now is the time to act. Any excellent gutter product should be built to endure for many years, but even the best-made gutters will need to be replaced at some point.
Things to Keep in Mind When Upgrading Your Gutters
If the existing condition of your roof gutters shows that replacement is most likely the best option, you’ll need to make some key considerations. Which guttering material do you prefer? Vinyl is probably the cheapest alternative, but it is also not the strongest, and it comes in little portions that must be attached. The more seams there are in your gutter system, the more likely it is that leaks will form. Metal gutters provide more structural strength and stability, but which metal is the best? Galvalume metal, galvanised steel, copper, and aluminium are all frequent possibilities, but each has advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few crucial considerations to bear in mind while considering gutter replacement decisions:
- Size & Style of Gutters
Were the gutters you intend to replace truly intended to suit your roof perfectly? If your roof has a very steep pitch – or if your location just happens to experience a lot of precipitation in general – a 6″ gutter may be preferable than a “normal” 5″ gutter. You’ll also need to determine whether you want a K-style gutter or a half-round gutter.
- How Much Coverage Do You Need?
One thing you may realise is that your previous gutter system did not provide adequate coverage for all of the locations where your roof drains. If this is the case, you may want to consider adding some extra gutter portions to your new coverage scheme. Having a clear notion of how much guttering you’ll actually need can help you build a better plan and acquire a better estimate of how much the job will cost.
- Materials & Aesthetics
Another critical option to make is the type of gutter material you desire. Copper gutters are truly the “gold standard,” and a properly constructed copper gutter may last for centuries. The disadvantage of copper is that metal is pricey and does not come in a variety of colours. Galvalume metal and galvanised steel are other popular metal alternatives due to their long-lasting functionality and diverse colour palette. Both of these are also considerably less expensive than copper.
- Don’t Forget About Your Fascia
You may not be familiar with the phrase, but you’re undoubtedly aware of what we’re referring about. The term “fascia” refers to the board that runs beneath the edge of your roof. Fascia boards, in addition to assisting to preserve the structural integrity of your roof, are also the surface on which most gutters are installed. Before installing new gutters, check to see if your fascia is strong and in excellent shape. If any of your fascia is rotting or has soft places, you should repair it before installing new gutters.
- Check the Overall Condition of Your Roof, Too
If it’s time to repair your gutters, it’s also a good idea to check the state of your roof while you’re at it. If your present gutters are in poor condition, chances are there is an issue (or issues) with your roof that has to be addressed as well. Depending on what you discover, the best approach may be to proceed with a roof replacement & Gutter installation combo project. We realize that may not be the cheapest solution, but it’s honestly better to take care of everything at once, rather than simply putting a band-aid over some problems while trying to ignore others!
Conclusion
We hope you find these recommendations useful as you examine your present gutter issue and prepare for any gutter replacement solutions that may be required. And when it comes to the best gutter solutions in NC & VA, Skywalker Windows & Siding is the company you can count on! Nobody backs their handiwork better than Skywalker! We specialise in custom constructing seamless gutters right on your site! We can also give the greatest low-maintenance gutter guard systems. Nobody takes better care of your gutters than Skywalker, and we also provide a variety of other helpful home improvement services. Get in touch with us today and let us show you the Skywalker difference!
