Protecting your home from water damage and leaks with a seamless gutter system is one of the best investments that you have made to protect your home. After a strong storm or during routine gutter cleaning, you may notice that your seamless gutter system is in need of repairs. What do you do? Can your seamless gutters be repaired? Or, do you need to replace the entire seamless gutter system?
As a seamless gutter company in Ludington, we get asked this question often. But don’t worry, there are many instances in which your seamless gutter system can be repaired and does not require a full replacement. In this blog post, we outline the types of seamless gutter damage and the most common repair solutions for each.
Common Types of Gutter Damage & Repair Solutions
Clogged and Overflowing Gutters
Clogged and Overflowing gutters are often caused by a simple clog of debris in your seamless gutter system or downspout. Unresolved gutter clogs may cause water damage to your home as well as create strain on your gutter system, resulting in a broken or damaged seamless gutter system that will need to be repaired or replaced.
It is important to address gutter clogs immediately. A clogged gutter system can cause an overflow of water that can quickly become a serious issue and cause water and structural damage to your home. To resolve clogged and overflowing gutter issues, schedule and perform routine gutter cleanings at least twice per year (spring and fall are when most debris accumulates in gutter systems). Another possible solution is installing gutter guards to prevent future clogs.
Leaky Joints and Seam Separation
Leaky Joints and Seam Separation are most common around corners, end joints, and downspouts. They are generally a result of gutter joints separating or pulling apart at the seams. Seamless gutters have less occurrence of leaky joints and seam separation due to their seamless design. However, it is still good practice to routinely inspect any corners, joints, and downspouts for any areas where caulking and sealing could be compromised. Leaky joints are often easily repaired by adding new sealant at the joints on both the inside and outside of the seams.
Sagging Gutters
Sagging gutters can happen when the gutter is no longer securely attached to your home’s fascia. Sagging is commonly caused when gutters are not properly maintained, develop clogs, or are damaged by severe storms. Over time, the wear and tear on fasteners and gutter hangers can cause them to become weak and cause parts of your seamless gutter system to sag. Timely repair is recommended to avoid any future sagging or major repairs. Generally, repairing sagging gutters is a very simple process that includes replacing broken fasteners and brackets. If your seamless gutter system is in need of more extensive repair, we advise you to hire a trained seamless gutter professional to take a look and identify other areas of major concern. Being proactive when addressing sagging gutters can avoid future damage and the need for major repairs or complete gutter replacement.
Dent or Damaged
Minor dents and damage in your seamless rain gutter system may not be cause for great concern. However, if you notice that the dents or damage impact the ability for water to flow away from your home or a downspout is severely damaged and water cannot flow away from your home sufficiently; this is cause for immediate repair. In the case of minor dents, a rubber mallet can be used to reshape the dented piece of rain gutter. If damage is more severe or a downspout is not functioning properly because of a major dent or having been crushed, the section of rain gutter or downspout may need to be fully replaced.
Corrosion/Rust
One Way Exteriors uses top-quality materials such as commercial-grade aluminum for gutter systems and accessories, eliminating the possibility of corrosion and rust. However, if your existing gutter system is made of steel or other materials that are susceptible to corrosion and rust, it is advised to check for signs of this during routine cleaning and maintenance. The repair may be as simple as using a wire brush to remove rust and sealing the rain gutter by applying primer and paint to protect against further corrosion. If significant corrosion is present, it may be necessary to replace your gutter system entirely.
Loose or Misfitting Fasteners
Loose or misfitting fasteners can cause rain gutters to leak water toward the structure of your house or allow for rain gutters to sag. As mentioned above, a sagging rain gutter will collect water and debris and potentially cause more future damage. It is good practice to check for and tighten any misfitting screws, fasteners, or hangers during your routine maintenance and gutter cleanings to avoid sagging gutters. This fix is simple, just tighten or replace any loose or misfitting fasteners as soon as they are detected.
Gutter Pitch Issues
Gutter Pitch issues are generally easy to repair with simple adjustments. If your gutter is free of any debris, dents, and damage; but the water is not flowing properly, you likely have a gutter pitch issue. To repair gutter pitch issues, reposition your gutter hangers or brackets until you have proper water flow.
Steps to Reduce the Need for Repairs on a Seamless Gutter
Seamless gutters are an investment in your home and keeping them in good shape will ensure proper drainage of water from your home and protect it from long-term damage. The simple solution to reducing the need for seamless gutter repairs is making sure your gutters are properly installed and implementing a preventative maintenance and gutter cleaning schedule. If you are uncertain if your current gutter system needs maintenance or repair, our expert team of gutter professionals are here to help. This can be as simple as hiring a professional for an annual inspection and gutter cleaning services to protect your investment in the long run.
In conclusion, making sure you have a reputable seamless gutter company that will properly install your system and then regularly check your gutter system for damage, clogs, and leaks, and implementing a regular maintenance and cleaning schedule can avoid the need for major repairs in the future.
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