5 Common Gutter Problems And How To Fix Them
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Like many homeowners, you probably don’t always pay attention to your gutters or you might not even think of it at all unless something goes wrong. But why are gutters important, and why must you pay importance to them?
Basically, gutters serve one primary purpose, that is, to channel the water away from your home’s foundation. Since it’s essential to keep your foundation in good condition, especially since it holds up your entire home, you must never take your gutters for granted and ensure that they’re always in good shape.
However, there are instances that you’ll face some gutter issues. Below are the common gutter problems you might encounter and the best ways to fix them:
- Warping Or Bending
Gutters will bend and warp as they age, so do the hangers or some hardware parts that were used to install them. This deformation can cause the gutters to pull away from your house, making the rainwater uncontrollable.
To fix this issue, you have to get rid of the old gutters in areas where they’re bending or warping. Luckily, gutter hardware and gutters are simple to install and inexpensive. For your guttering needs, you can consider this deal at EasyMerchant.
Once the bent and warped portions are removed, replace them with new hardware and gutters. If you can’t do it properly, make sure to ask for help from professionals.
- Clogged Gutters
A common problem with gutters is clogging. When you’re dealing with clogged gutters, they won’t drain properly and may start to overflow during the rainy season. Once the rainwater can’t pass through properly, it can cause some problems with your property’s foundation. This is the reason why you should always ensure that your gutters are clean, so the rainwater will flow through easily.
To keep your gutters free of debris and prevent water damage in your home, stick to a regular maintenance schedule. This may vary depending on your area’s climate condition. However, it’s a great idea to clear them out during late fall–after most leaves have fallen–and during springtime to ensure they’re clear for the rainy season.
If you’re always dealing with a lot of debris on your gutters, you may also consider installing a gutter cover. Do note that it can be expensive and requires maintenance.
- Damaged Gutters
Damaged gutters may happen in many ways. However, the primary culprit is the weather. During a windstorm or a heavy rainstorm, gutters can be damaged or knocked down. In this case, repairing them could be as simple as hanging them again or you might have to replace particular sections.
With this kind of gutter problem, there isn’t much you can do to prevent it aside from ensuring that your gutters are installed properly and aren’t loose.
- Sagging Gutters
Gutters sag when the weight inside them becomes too much for the support brackets to hold. This may be caused by blockages, like a snow buildup during the winter, or improper installation.
Gutter support brackets must be installed properly. If your gutters don’t have enough support brackets holding them, you may be dealing with sagging gutters over time.
Depending on the real cause of sagging gutters, there are various ways to fix them. One of these is to install a tile or snow guard to protect your gutters from heavy snow buildup. Snow can be heavy once it starts to build up, and the added weight on your gutters may put a strain on their support brackets.
In this case, clean your gutters and make sure to remove the snow immediately. Then, install the best tile or snow guard for your gutter system.
- Improper Downpipe Positioning
A downspout or downpipe must be installed directly above the grid to let channel the rainwater away from your property’s foundation.
If the downpipe positioning is incorrect and the rainwater doesn’t go into the drain properly, it may result in flooding problems during the rainy season.
Fixing improper downpipe positioning may depend on how off-center the downpipe is to your drain point. If it’s only slight, adding a downpipe shoe at the discharge end may redirect the water flow to where it should be.
If the downpipe is only discharging water onto the ground just to find its way into the drain, this can be a big problem to fix.
You can try installing an offset bend in your downpipe to redirect it, but it may not be good for your gutter system’s water flow rate.
So, you might want to consider getting rid of your whole downpipe and reinstall it directly over your drain. In this case, hiring professionals to help you out may come in handy.
Conclusion
If you don’t want to deal with damaged roofing or water damage in your basement because of your gutter problems, make sure to fix them as soon as possible.
Protecting your gutter and providing it with proper care and maintenance can make a difference to keep your gutter from doing its job well. If you’re looking for better gutter protection, don’t hesitate to shop around and ask for help from gutter system experts.