Gutters – Information You Need to Know

If your gutters are not functioning properly, then you are at risk for potentially costly damage to your roof and/or foundation.  The cost of maintaining, repairing or replacing faulty gutters is one of the smaller costs of home ownership that pays off big by avoiding more costly repairs.  So here is a primer on important information you need to know about gutters.

First, how do you know whether you need to replace your gutters?  The best way to make sure gutters last a long time is to keep them cleaned out.  But time will eventually take its toll even on well-maintained gutters. 

One of the most common signs your gutters need replacement is if they are either overflowing or water is gushing out too fast when it is raining even if they are not hampered with debris.  This means that either they are not sized properly to handle the amount of water they are taking in or they are damaged.  Either way it’s important to look at replacement so that this issue does not cause damage to your roof or foundation over time.

Another tell-tale sign of the need for replacement are gutters that are pulling away from the home or sagging.  Repairing gutters with this issue is not usually cost efficient versus simply replacing them and you can choose a gutter system which will not repeat the same problem.

Once you have decided that it’s time to replace your gutters, then some basics about gutter materials, styles and costs are in order.  Most residential gutters are made of aluminum as it is lightweight yet strong.  However, there are generally three gauges of aluminum gutter: builder grade, high-end residential and industrial.  Make sure you know the gauge that is being specified for your project and that it meets the needs of your home.

Gutter size is important to make sure that the gutter being specified can handle the amount of water drainage from the area, pitch and other characteristics of your roof.  Depending on these factors you will likely need either a 5 or 6 inch gutter, but an experienced professional can help you decide which is best.

Finally, gutter cost can vary greatly due to all the different factors cited and add-ons (such as debris guards) that are available.  However, they are priced by the linear foot which can help you estimate the cost when you know the amount of linear feet you are replacing.  The range of cost can be from $3 - $40 per linear foot for the low-end to the very high-end products.

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio serving Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and surrounding areas.  We have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Since our founding in 1988 we have been a top choice by offering the best customer service, stress free buying experience and the highest standards.