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Gutter Repair Tips

Gutter Repair Tips

Most Charlotte roofing companies will offer gutter repairs as part of their roofing services. Why? Gutters and downspouts are an essential part of the drainage system in any home. If you don’t clean your gutters or perform an occasional gutter inspection, the consequences can damage your roof system, siding system, and home foundation. Charlotte roofing companies understand the importance of a gutter system as a complete home defense system (along with your roof) from outside elements – this includes water intrusion and pest intrusion! Here are a few tips to repair your gutters. When in doubt, or if life is just too busy, call a local roofer company to perform the inspection for you.

Common Gutter Drainage Issues

We did an entire post on common gutter drainage issues and how to improve your gutter drainage – click here if you’d like to read more. For this post, it’s still important to talk about why you would need gutter repair services in the first place. Poor gutter drainage can cause the following issues:

Wood damage.
Fascia boards, the long wooden boards that run along the edges of the roof, hold the gutter system onto your home. Water can overflow onto the fascia boards and down your siding when gutters have poor drainage. Damage to the wood around your home is something to be wary of, as it can cause interior leaks. These wooden boards will start to decay and rot, compromising the health of your home’s external defense system.

Foundation damage.
The primary function of gutters is to re-route water away from your home. Blockages in a gutter system or even poorly placed or insecure downspouts can cause water to pool around the perimeter of your home. This pooling, over time, can cause severe cracks to form around your home’s foundation. Foundation problems typically mean costly repairs, so it’s best to repair your gutters before this problem occurs.

Roof damage.
Colder weather means a higher risk of roof damage due to ice and snow build-up, especially if it’s forming over already-clogged gutters. Ice and snow build-up can cause water to sit around the edges of your roofing system. This ponding is a great way to see water work itself underneath the shingles and inside your home. Roof leak repair can be another costly investment.

Pest Intrusion.
Did you know that pests, such as cockroaches, can live inside your gutter system? Yes, you read that right! It’s a perfect location for pesky insects to live, notably if your gutters aren’t draining correctly. If you’ve noticed any nests or insect habitats inside your gutter system, give a local pest control company a call to help you clear that away. Afterward, consider installing gutter guards – which are a great way to reduce debris AND prevent any pests from making a home inside your gutters.

Tips to Repair Your Gutters

There are a few gutter repairs that you can do yourself that can improve gutter drainage and prevent any harmful roofing issues. Repairing your gutters may seem daunting, but it’s not too tricky if you’ve got a local gutter expert guide… and you’ve found one! If you can make it to a local home improvement store and aren’t afraid of ladders or heights, these tips will have your gutters working like new!

    • Unclog and Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts.
      Yes, this is pretty standard advice when you need gutter repairs. We mentioned above all of the issues that can come with clogged gutters or gutters with drainage issues. Cleaning your gutters should be your first step. Unclogging your gutters can prevent those issues later on and save you a fair amount of money in costly home repairs. Preventative measures like this are often the best DIY gutter repair options. Once you’ve secured your ladder, all you need is a garden hose and good-quality gloves. Pull out dry debris and rinse out the gutters using a garden hose. This step is significant because it’ll allow you to watch the water flow around your gutters and show you any drainage issues if you aren’t sure.

 

    • Realign Gutters and Fix Sagging Gutters. 
      Gutters have a slight pitch that directs the water to its nearest downspout. If water isn’t draining towards your downspouts, it’s likely due to the incorrect alignment of your gutter system. Realigning gutters is a reasonably straightforward task if you’re comfortable with a level, on a ladder, and have some handyman experience. If you have sagging gutters, check the brackets that attach the gutters to your home. You may need to take a screwdriver and tighten them, which will help the gutters get back to their original alignment. The appropriate pitch level should be a 1/2 inch fall for every 10 feet of gutter. If this step gives you any trouble, or if you’ve tightened your brackets and are still experiencing gutter drainage issues, it might be time to call in a local gutter company to assist you.

 

    • Remove Rust From Metal Gutters. 
      If your gutters are made from a material that rusts, you should remove rust from your gutter system as soon as you discover it. As you know, rust degrades metal structures (including your gutters) and shouldn’t be overlooked. Invest in a small pair of safety goggles and try to remove rust from your gutters using sandpaper or a wire brush. You should apply rust-resisting primer should be applied to newly cleaned areas as a safeguard. While you’re removing rust from the gutter, check for cracks in your gutter system and fill them with sealant, if applicable.

 

    • Fix Gutter Leaks.
      Plastic gutters often experience leaks at the joints, where two sections of gutters are connected. The original installation of these joints likely used rubber seals or gaskets to make them watertight. Gutter leaks become evident when these seals become worn or pried apart by dirt/debris. To repair this gutter problem, separate the gutter section from its original seal by squeezing both sides of the gutter. Remove all dirt and debris from around the seal. Replace the seal if it’s worn out, and then re-fit your newly repaired guttering and gaskets.

 

    • Fix Loose Downspouts.
      Downspouts are the portions of the gutter system that direct water away from your home. If you have a loose downspout, check the brackets holding it onto your home. Ensure that all brackets are tight and that the downspout is vertically aligned. If you have any rotten or broken downspouts, replace them with new downspouts.

 

Gutter Repair Tips

Other Gutter Repair Ideas

Some gutter drainage issues may require repairs outside of those listed above. We highly recommend these particular tips and tricks to improve your gutters.

      • Install Gutter Guards. 
        Gutter guards are an additional piece of material that is fastened over your gutters. This material has holes in it to allow water through, but it prevents larger debris from falling in. Installing gutter guards will decrease how often you should clean your gutters. Gutter guards also prevent larger debris, like branches or twigs, from entering and then damaging your downspouts. There are a few different types of gutter guard options available, those are listed below.- Mesh Gutter Guards: Made of metal sheets, mesh gutter guards feature tiny holes. Mesh guards are known for their durability. This type of gutter guard can be installed on many different types of gutters, which makes them a great option for local homeowners.- Bottle Brush Gutter Guards: Cylindrical in shape, they look like wire cleaning brushes. These guards are best at filtering out larger debris and would be ideal if your house is positioned under any large trees. The spikes of these guards allow air to circulate and dry the gutters out, preventing rust.

        Screen Gutter Guards: Often made of metal or plastic, screen gutter guards are an affordable option and easy to install – making them a cheaper option whether you’re doing DIY gutter repair or hiring a gutter expert.

        Foam Gutter Guards: Also called foam gutter inserts, these guards fit inside of your existing gutter system. They prevent all debris from entering and have pores to allow only water to get through. This option is effective but would require replacement once every 2-3 years.

      • Metal Gutter Installation. 
        We love including metal options for our gutter repairs. If you’re looking for a gutter upgrade to fix your gutters, consider asking a professional for a quote on metal gutters. Although a bit more costly than common plastic gutters, their durability is unmatched. Most metal gutters are seamless, which prevents leaks in the joints of your gutters. They’re also available in different types – like copper! Copper gutters never rust and have a lifespan of 100 years. You just can’t beat that!
    • Call a Local Gutter Company 
      Cleaning and repairing gutters isn’t exactly an ideal Saturday afternoon for most people, but for local gutter companies – it is! If you’re having trouble repairing your gutters, give a local expert a call. Do your research and make sure you’re hiring the right local company for your gutter repairs (we wrote a post about that too – click here!). A good gutter repair company will be able to answer questions on different types of gutters and which would be best for your home.