What are Gutters?

Gutters serve a very important function: they redirect water away from your home. Keeping water and moisture from seeping into your house through your roof helps in maintaining your roof’s integrity and longevity.

Today, there are many different types of gutters. Each one is different and can be chosen based on your house, budget, and personal preference. Today’s gutters can be made out of the following materials:

• Aluminum: This is the most widely used material, it’s lightweight, easy to install, and doesn’t rust.
• Copper: Copper has a particular aesthetic quality and is more difficult to install due to welding. It also doesn’t rust.
• Steel: A very strong and versatile material, often susceptible to rust after a few years.
• Vinyl: Lightweight and relatively inexpensive. May be vulnerable to cracking in extreme cold.
• Zinc: Lasts a long time and is very durable. Requires welding and so needs pro installation.

When Do I Need New Gutters?

It is important to pay attention to the state of your gutters, as they might compromise your roof and the structure of your home. When not working properly, they will allow moisture to seep in. It’s a good idea to clean your gutters regularly so they do not get clogged. You will also want to monitor how they are working and look for any potential damage they may have sustained in order to avoid bigger problems in the future. Some warning signs that you might need new gutters include:

• Cracks or splits: If you notice cracks in your gutters, it not only defeats their function but it might spell trouble. An individual crack may be fixed, but multiple cracks may indicate the need for replacement.
• Peeling and bad paint: If you see signs of extensive peeling in the paint, it might mean a bigger underlying problem. It often indicates that moisture is seeping in and may cause rust.
• Rotting and Mildew: This one is easy to spot and if you have rotting gutters or mildew gathering, it might be time to replace the gutters before they cause more damage to your home.
• Sagging gutters: If you begin to see the gutters sagging down and falling away from the rest of the home, it means they are too heavy, have not been properly cleaned, and have become too heavy to support their own weight. The sagging is an indication that they are no longer performing their function.