Gutter Replacement In Dallas McKinney Plano The Colony Richardson Allen Frisco
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Residential Gutter Replacement & Repair
If you’re like most people, you don’t think too much about your gutters. You know they’re up there, funneling rain and snow melt away from your roof – and maybe you even clean them occasionally. But how can you tell if you need gutter repair or gutter replacement?
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Why Do You Need Working Gutters?
Gutters are open at the top so they can catch rainwater and melted snow. When water flows in, the gutters redirect it so that it doesn’t soak into the wooden parts of your house – and they push it away from your home’s foundation, too.
Sometimes things go wrong, though. When your gutters aren’t working properly, either because they’ve been damaged or because they were improperly installed, they can allow water to ruin just about any part of your home.
Modern homes are especially vulnerable to water damage. That’s because they’re designed to conserve energy – and at the same time, they can trap moisture. Water can seep into your roofing materials or your roof’s fascia (the board fastened at the point where your roof meets the outer walls of your house), causing tremendous amounts of damage.
How to Tell if Your Gutters Are Damaged
A visual inspection can tell you a lot about the condition of your gutters. You don’t have to climb up on your roof to look for these five signs your gutters are damaged:
- Peeling Paint
- Rust spots
- Cracks or splits
- Saggy appearance
- Pools of water or mildew growth around your foundation
Peeling Paint
Gutter paint is designed to be tough – it’s made to withstand all kinds of weather and frequent exposure to water. If the paint on your gutters is flaking off or peeling, it’s a bad sign; that means the protective barrier between the water and the metal is eroding away.
Likewise, if you see paint peeling on your home’s fascia or anywhere beneath the gutters, it could signal that your gutters aren’t doing their jobs.
Rust Spots
Water causes rust, especially if it’s present for a long time. Rust can erode the metal in a gutter system very badly over time. When that happens, the system can’t funnel water away from your home – but the water still has to go somewhere. It’ll flow out of the holes the rust has created, and often, that results in it running down the side of your house or pooling near your foundation.
Cracks or Splits
Small cracks in your gutters probably don’t seem like a big deal, but little cracks only grow. The same principle applies to gutters as applies to roads: when water gets inside a pothole and freezes, it expands. That expansion causes the pothole to expand, and before you know it, you’re dealing with a massive crater. When it comes to gutters, the water doesn’t have to freeze in small cracks. A continuous or frequent flow can cause a crack to become larger – and so can large amounts of water pouring through your gutters at once.
Saggy Appearance
Older gutters (and those that weren’t installed properly) can sag away from your house. That means they’re not where they need to be to catch the water flowing off your roof, or that they’re so full of water and debris that they’re too heavy to stay in place. While that’s something you may be able to head off with proper maintenance, such as cleaning your gutters regularly (and especially after storms), once the damage is done, it’s tough to repair on your own. You may need to hire a home roofing company like Burton Hughes from New View Roofing to perform the repairs for you.
Pools of Water or Mildew Growth Around Your Foundation
If there’s water on the ground near your foundation, look up – did it come from your gutters? Your gutters are supposed to funnel away all the water that collects on your roof. The output end of the gutter should point away from your home, keeping water away from your foundation. When water seeps into your foundation, you have much bigger problems than gutters; you could be facing heavy-duty repairs that cost a pretty penny.
When Should I Call Someone for Gutter Repair?
If there’s water on the ground near your foundation, look up – did it come from your gutters? Your gutters are supposed to funnel away all the water that collects on your roof. The output end of the gutter should point away from your home, keeping water away from your foundation. When water seeps into your foundation, you have much bigger problems than gutters; you could be facing heavy-duty repairs that cost a pretty penny.
Walk around the outside of your home when it’s sunny and fair outside. Check for all the types of damage listed here – and if you see any, give us a call and we’ll have a look for free. We’ll be able to tell you whether your gutters can be repaired or if they need replacement.
When Should I Hire a Roofing Company for Gutter Replacement?
When you observe significant damage, you probably need gutter replacement. Because gutters are typically made from thin metal, sometimes the damage is too extensive – and repairing them wouldn’t make sense. In some cases, replacing your whole gutter system is the best idea. And even better, replacing a gutter system can add value to your home while saving you thousands in repair costs down the road.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Gutters?
Gutter repair and gutter replacement are highly individualized jobs. In some homes and businesses, repairs are quick and easy – and sometimes replacements can be done in sections, especially if the entire system isn’t damaged. However, in other cases, it’s necessary to pull down the whole system and evaluate what other types of damage the water from the gutters has caused. If water has damaged fascia or soffits, you’ll need to repair those as well. (That’s why you should always call the best roofing company in town for help – they can work quickly and efficiently, making all the necessary repairs and replacements.)
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Gutters 101: The Basics
Gutters are essential on any home. These channels belong at the edge or just below your roofline, where the roof slopes downward. Usually, they’re made from vinyl, aluminum, copper or stainless steel. Each type has its pros and cons, and if you’re having new gutters installed, you need to know about each type.
Aluminun
Many people find aluminum gutters to be a great choice. These seamless gutters are long-lasting, they’re easy for experienced professionals to install, and they’re attractive additions to a home or business. They require a lot of people to put them up (because they don’t come in sections – they’re seamless), but the work is fast for that reason. These gutters are known for durability, and they provide you with a little more peace of mind because you don’t have to worry about the joints or seams wearing down. On average, seamless aluminum gutters can last about 30 years – just as long as your roof will if you’ve hired the best roofing contractors to work on it.
However, aluminum gutters do have one small downside: They can dent when a heavy branch or other debris hits them during a storm. Small dents and dings are easy to repair (or overlook) – but the large ones may require professional help to straighten out.
As far as pricing goes, aluminum gutters are middle-of-the-road. There are certainly more expensive options, like copper and stainless steel, and there are cheaper options, like vinyl.
Vinyl
Vinyl gutters are an attractive option for many homeowners and business owners because they’re generally cheaper than those made from other materials.
However, they aren’t the right solution on every building. It’s best to talk to local roofing contractors to find out which material will be best for your space.
In some cases, with the added costs of hangers, downspouts and couplings, vinyl gutters lose their shine as a cost-effective alternative.
Likewise, if you see paint peeling on your home’s fascia or anywhere beneath the gutters, it could signal that your gutters aren’t doing their jobs.
Copper
Copper is an attractive alternative to vinyl, aluminum and stainless steel gutters. These beautiful systems add plenty of visual appeal to a home or business, and over time, they develop a patina that makes your home irresistibly beautiful from the road. However, like their other metal cousins, they’re not right for every space.
The biggest advantage to using copper is style. These decorative and functional pieces add drama and elegance to your home’s façade, but there’s much more to them than their good looks. Copper gutters are typically built to last. Copper doesn’t rust, and it’s really unlikely to wear out or crack – and that means these gutters can last 50 or more years with proper maintenance.
Copper gutters aren’t cheap, though. The price will vary based on your home or commercial building’s size and layout, and you may need to have them custom-made. Talk to your roofing company about your options if you’re considering copper – they’re an investment that may well be worth it over time.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel gutters are the toughest on the market. They’re gaining popularity among homeowners after being used on commercial buildings for years, and for good reason. They’re non-corrosive, so they provide your home or business with unparalleled protection from rain, sleet and snow. They can even stand up to things like hail and fallen branches, and they’re ideal in harsh climates because they can handle both ends of the temperature spectrum. Stainless steel always looks shiny, too, even if it’s been on your home for years.
These types of gutters are definitely worth looking into if you’re replacing your home or business’s entire system. Because they last so long, they’re an investment (just like copper is). However, installing these types of gutters, or any other types of gutters, isn’t usually a DIY job. It requires a team of professionals if you want to ensure things are done properly.
Gutter Replacement: What to Remember When You Choose
When you’re choosing what type of system to install on your home or business, you need to consider shape, size and seams.
Shape
There are two main gutter shapes: Half-round and K-style. These two shapes drain equal amounts of water, so really, it’s more about aesthetics. Half-round gutters have a U shape, and they’re more traditional. K-style gutters do the same job, but the outside edge looks like the top of the letter K. You can talk to your local roofing contractor to find out what’s going to be best for your home.
Size
Gutter size refers to the measurement of the top opening, the length and width of the downspout, and thickness. Most commonly, gutters have 5-inch to 6-inch top openings (although smaller gutters are available). Downspouts are usually 2 inches by 3 inches or 3 inches by 4 inches, and 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
Seams
Gutters can be sectional or seamless. Sectional gutters need sealant at each seam to prevent leakage, but that’s not an issue with seamless gutters.
Gutter Repair and Gutter Replacement: Call Us Now
If you think it might be time for gutter repair or gutter replacement, we can help. Call us now for a free gutter repair or replacement estimate!
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