Gutters play an integral role in protecting your roof as well as your foundation! It is important to keep them working properly to maximize their effectiveness. Just like with everything else in life, your gutters have a life expectancy and when it is up….it’s up! We’re here to help you figure out if it’s time to replace your gutters.
Usually, standard aluminum, steel or vinyl gutters will last about 20+ years. That does depend on if they are being cleaned, maintained and inspected on a routine basis. If they are being well maintained and are still functioning properly, you may be able to enjoy them for longer. Or, if a higher quality material was used, such as copper, you can be looking at 40+ years.
The main indicator of a gutters lifespan is again, maintenance, care and of course, weather! If your home experiences a severe weather episode, you may need to replace all or part of your gutters sooner than expected. Gutter guards are another way to increase the timeframe of your gutters. These guards help to reduce the amount of debris that is collected in your gutters, less debris means they will continue to work correctly. Have a professional inspect your gutters at a minimum of once a year, or if you can manage on your own, try getting up there once in the spring and in the fall. Either way, it will help to keep up on minor repairs and cleaning. Here are a few things to look for when inspecting your gutters:
- Look for any sign of rust. If it is a small amount, it can be quickly cleaned and avoid costly repairs and replacement.
- Areas of stress, mold, peeling paint or other damage
- Check them during heavy rain for leaks and correct flow.
- Flooding in your basement or foundation issues (although there are many reasons these issues can happen, make sure to have your gutters checked as well to make sure they are not the main culprit.
If you are looking for new gutters, roof, windows, siding or other improvement needs for your Columbia, MD home or business, call us at 1-800-673-3034 to schedule your free, no-obligation inspection today!
