Many people pay little attention to their home’s gutters, although the truth is, they keep your home dry and add years to the life of your home’s foundation. Most of us are unlikely to remember we even have gutters until it rains very hard, overflow, become clogged, or something happens to cause damage to them. Suddenly, it becomes clear that it’s time to think about gutter replacement options.
OPTIONS TO CONSIDER: GUTTERS
There are plenty of options to sort through. First, there are different types of materials used to fabricate gutters – everything from pricy wooden troughs to inexpensive but low-quality vinyl. The best option in terms of quality and cost for most homeowners are gutters made of metal – aluminum, copper or steel.
From here, there are a lot more options. There are seamless and sectional gutter installation techniques. You might select gutter guards to help keep debris from collecting in your gutters. If you aren’t a roofing specialist (and how many of us are?), the sheer number of options available may seem overwhelming. You may even be asking yourself, “do I even need gutters on my home?” It’s a valid question. Let’s start by getting better acquainted with what gutters are designed to do in the first place.
How Gutters Protect Your Home
As spring returns to our area, we’ll likely enjoy several days when the skies open and rain follows. Even a gentle, one-inch rainfall equates to 1,900 gallons of water dropped directly on your home’s roof. Without an effective gutter system to help direct that torrent away from your home, you’d quickly find areas around your foundation washed out. This kind of erosion causes real damage in a short period of time.
Over a short period of time, this abundance of water will not just destroy the foundation. The water that settles in the eroded areas around your home captures water which then seeps into the interior of your home where deterioration and mold takes over.
There are very few exceptions in residential construction where gutters don’t perform an essential role in protecting your home from severe water damage. When gutters are no longer structurally sound or functioning as they should, it’s time to think about gutter replacement options. Perhaps they just need to be repaired or cleaned, but it also may be time to think about all new gutters.
More Signs That It Is Time for New Gutters
Home repair guru Bob Vila says that gutters should last around 20–25 years on average. The more durable the material, the longer you can expect your gutter system to last. Proper maintenance will extend the lifespan of your gutters even longer.
How do you know for sure if it is time to look at gutter replacement? Of course if you see obvious leaks or runoff around the foundation of your home caused by poorly-directed water from the roof, that’s one indicator you have a gutter problem. If your home’s gutter system is beginning to pull away from your home, sagging or separating, has holes or rust, it is likely time to call in a roofing and gutter specialist.
Making the Right Choice When Choosing Gutters
You’ll have some options when sorting through the type of gutters you’ll install on your home. All gutters are available in 10-foot sections (sectional gutters) or are fabricated on-site using a seamless construction process. Sectional gutters are prone to leaks at the joints where they are connected, and for this reason, most prefer seamless gutter solutions.
The exact right kind of gutters you need for your home depends on your budget, style, and needs. Most residential and commercial owners opt for seamless aluminum or copper, but it is all based on your preference. Both options result in high-performing gutters that will do the job of preventing leaks and other damage for years to come.
It’s always best to start with a trusted roofing and gutter specialist. From seamless aluminum to copper gutters, Alte Exteriors LLC is the company to call for all of your gutter service and gutter installation needs. We proudly serve Hunterdon | Somerset | Morris | Middlesex | Warren | Princeton | Sussex | and surrounding counties.