Gutters
Repair, Replace Or New Gutter Installation
There are many types of gutters, but the three most common are K-style, half-round, and gutters with built in leaf protection.
K-style gutters are the most common type of aluminum gutters you’ll see on homes. They come in different sizes, from 5” to 6” and can also come in multiple colors. They can be installed as seamless gutters which means they are made on site to match the length of each side of your home.
Half round gutters are typically seen on historic homes or houses that want to keep a more enhanced exterior look. They also come in two sizes and you might see them made out of copper or galvanized metal. They can’t hold as much water as a K-style does, so their main benefit is their look.
Gutters with built in leaf protection tend to be a k-style gutter with a manufacturer provided gutter cover. The advantage is you get both the gutter and cover at the same time. The disadvantage is that you are stuck with only that one type of leaf protection and if you need the gutter serviced, it might require that same installer to service it.
Gutter Installation
When choosing a gutter system, it’s important to consider these few dynamics of a gutter system.
How the gutter is attached. There are three types of ways to attach a gutter, straps, spikes and hidden hangers. Some roof systems require straps on the gutters because the is no fascia board or eaves to attach the gutter to. So the strap wraps around the gutter and attaches to the roof deck. Hidden hangers are the best way to go because they can’t be seen and they come with screws so it gives stronger hold. Spikes are typically a thing of the past and tend to come loose as the gutter ages.
Seamless gutters. To have a seamless gutter requires that we come out and make the gutter on site. This enables you to have a stretch of gutter that matches the length of your eaves. By doing so, it eliminates the chance of water leaking through. A gutter with more seams means that at every connecting point, you need extra sealant and fasteners which just increase the chance of leaking. So seamless gutters are the best options in every situation.
Size of your gutter. Most homes will be built with a 5 inch gutter. But these are not always capable of handling a lot of water, which is why most homeowners upgrade to 6” gutters. They can handle more water and if debris gets in the gutter, it’s not as likely to clog the gutter. While that can still happen, it’s less frequent.
Downspouts, these are the portions of gutter that run down the side of your home to guid the water away from your house. But it’s very important to make sure that it’s actually doing that. Sometimes the downspouts will drop all the water right at your foundation, which defeats the purpose. So be sure to keep an eye on how your water is flowing out of the downspouts and if necessary, have an extension run along the ground to get it further away from your home.
Gutter covers. There are many types of covers and while some are better than others, you will still have some amount of cleaning to do, even if it’s just a little. Stick to gutter covers that are metal or aluminum, this way they can’t be destroyed from animals chewing them apart. We see that all the time. And make sure that the ends of the gutter covers are also closed off.
If you’re not sure which type of gutter is best for your home, consult with our professional gutter installation team. We can help you choose the right system for your needs and climate.
There are many benefits to having the correct type of gutter on your property, such as preventing water damage to your property and foundation problems. Additionally, gutters help improve the curb appeal of your home.
Gutter Maintenance
When it rains, take a look at how they are performing, if you see excessive amounts of water overflowing, there might be a clogged spout. If this is the case, you’ll need to have them inspected and possibly run a cleaning snake through the downspouts. Overflowing gutters could also be a sign that they are not sloped correctly so the water is backing up in one corner or that the entire gutter is too small to handle the water.
Every few years it’s a good idea to inspect the gutter sealant inside the gutters at the end caps, outlets, and corners. These are places where sealant is required to keep the water in the gutter because there are two parts of the gutter coming together. But over time, with all the debris, age and weather, this caulk can wear down and need to be replaced or touched up. If you have a random leak in the gutter, this might be the reason.
If your gutter does become filled with leaves and debris, it will cause water to back up and over flow behind the gutter. Which will eventually rot out your fascia board and cause the gutter to start falling off. This is one of the most common issues we find with gutters. So be sure to clean and inspect your gutters on a regular basis. We recommend cleaning them twice a year, once in the spring and also in the middle of fall or right before the weather turns freezing. Because you can’t clean a frozen gutter without possibly damaging it.