Gutter Repair

Rain gutters are not the most exciting part of a home. In fact, most homeowners probably never even notice them until something goes wrong, and then it is the wrong kind of excitement. Many elements such as high winds, snow and ice, clogged gutters due to debris, and even pests like birds cause damages to gutter systems that necessitate gutter repair. Neglecting gutters is a main cause for all gutter repair issues. Forgetting about cleaning out gutters for a couple seasons or years causes them to become filled with debris all over. When the downspouts become clogged, water can no longer drain properly. This is where a lot of gutter related issues happen. Once the gutters are filled with water or wet debris, they become very heavy. The weight then puts a major burden on the hardware and fascia board, resulting in the gutters pulling themselves away from the wall. 

Gutters and downspouts are designed to collect and carry away rainwater that would otherwise run off the roof, trickle down and erode the soil and stain the siding. They are considered the first line of defense against a wet basement or crawl space. For these reasons, it is important to keep gutters in proper working order and to repair issues as soon as they occur. There are obvious signs that gutters are in need of repair, and then there are the less obvious. The more visible signs of damage include holes in the gutters, gutters that are pulling away from the house, sagging or cracked gutters, and gaps between the gutter connections. Finding screws or small pieces of the gutter system are other signs that repairs are in need. The less obvious signs include small animals making nests in gutters and using them as their home. This results in water being unable to go where it needs to go. Standing water in gutters is a sign that they are not at the right angle to drain water from the roof. Icicles that form in cold weather is yet another sign that the gutter system is not draining water like it should. 

Signs of a failing gutter system

Other than the clear signs that the gutter system is structurally failing, a house can show signs that the gutters are in need of repair. If the foundation has water pooling around it after a storm, this means the gutters are not allowing the water to flow away from the home. Rotting wood or peeling paint on the outside of the home are clear signs of water damage due to a poor gutter system. If the basement floods often or the landscaping gets damaged after a rainstorm, the gutter system needs professional attention. 

There’s no doubt the cost of gutter repairs is on every homeowner’s mind when problems arise. Besides the type of gutter and the height of the home, other factors are taken into consideration when determining the price of gutter repairs. The material of the gutters is a main cost factor for repairs. Lower-end, cost-friendly options such as vinyl gutters cost less because they tend to be sectional. Higher-end gutters like stainless steel gutters cost more but feature longer average lifespans than cheaper options. Some gutters also require extra machinery to install gutters as well as more structural hangers, adding extra cost. 

Gutter protection

Depending on the design of the roof and home, surrounding surfaces near the gutters, such as a porch, may add to the labor cost for gutter repairs. It is also good to keep in mind that the current condition of the gutters besides any damage could lead to more repair costs. For instance, if the gutters have a lot of debris in them, additional charges maybe be added to the labor cost to clean them out. 

Gutters protect the home and property from water damage. While gutters may not look like much, they play a very important part in keeping the home and surrounding property from being destroyed and damaged from Mother Nature. When there are signs that the gutter system is not working properly and needs repaired, it is time to call a professional before it is too late.