Gutter & Downspout Repair & Maintenance
The Importance of Properly Functioning Gutters
Properly functioning gutters and downspouts are important. Gutters collect rain and carry it away from your home to keep your basement or crawl space dry, protect the foundation from erosion, preserve the topsoil around your property, and protect your home from stains and damage caused by back-splash.
Gutters systems can last for decades, especially with regular cleaning and maintenance, but that doesn't mean they'll never need repairs. Mold and mildew, roof rot, and damaged foundations are all indications of failing gutters. The main factor in deciding whether to repair or replace your gutters is the extent of the damage. If you only have one or two trouble spots, they should be easy to fix, but be aware that if multiple sections of your gutters are damaged or you have tried repairing a problem before and it keeps coming back, it could be easier and less costly to just replace them. The experts at Dependable Gutters are happy to assist you in determining your trouble spots and what can be done to repair them.
The Experts at Dependable Gutters can quickly and efficiently repair or replace damaged gutters
Signs your Gutters Should be Repaired or Replaced
Gutters are relatively simple in design and so there are just a few ways they can fail.
Blocked or Clogged Gutters – If you notice water marks under you gutters or pooling water and mildew near your foundation, your gutters are likely overflowing and need to be cleaned.
Mildew, rust or plant growth - When rainwater sits in a gutter, it encourages plants and bugs to take up residence. If you see mildew on walls or around windows, doors or trim, check your gutters carefully. Rust on the grass or concrete under your gutters indicates corrosion. If any of these things are visible, get your gutters inspected as soon as possible.
Leaks - If your gutters are not clogged and water is still escaping, you have a leak. A leak sometimes opens at the joints between sections of gutter, which can simply be resealed. Other times a leak develops through a crack in the gutters from corrosion or other damage. Although small cracks don’t seem like a big deal, they will eventually get bigger and allow water to seep into the fascia boards, shingles and foundation, rotting the wood and causing serious damage. You can patch these leaks, but once a weak spot is established, it will likely be a recurring problem.
Watermarks, water, or moisture in the basement or crawlspace - When water leaks out of your gutters, it lands on the ground next to your house. If you notice water pooling or dampness in your home, have your gutters checked as soon as possible.
Gutters that are sagging or separating from the house - If your gutters are leaning or pulling away, you need to act quickly to avoid rotting fascia board, roof damage or total gutter collapse. Excess weight from debris that needs cleaned out can also cause sagging. A fallen branch or leaning a ladder on your gutters could cause damage. If there is permanent warping, you may need to replace that section of gutter
Broken fasteners, missing nails or screws - If one of the pieces of hardware that attaches your gutter to the roof breaks, it can probably be replaced fairly easily. If you’re finding nails or screws on the ground, that means your gutters aren’t holding to the fascia the way they should be and should be and should be inspected right away to stop further damage .
Poor pitch. Gutters are meant to have an imperceptible slope towards the downspout to keep water flowing. If water is pooling in your gutters when there is no blockage, your gutters are probably improperly pitched. This could be the result of the house settling or other damage, but many times can be an easy fix for the Experts at Dependable Gutter.
Peeling paint - Failing gutters will damage good paint job. Check the sections of gutter nearest to any paint damage to determine if the gutter is leaking before the fascia board starts to rot or mildew.
Rotted shingles - When blockages cause rainwater to back up in your gutters, it can seep upwards into the shingles and cause the outside edge of your roof to rot. If you see shingles curling or disintegrating, call an expert immediately.