Why is Gutter Replacement Important?

Did you know that one of the most important parts of your home is often overlooked? Your gutters are essential to keeping your home protected, but many homeowners neglect them. It’s really no surprise when you think about it. Gutters may not be at eye level, so they can be out of mind. Also, your gutters might not give you the immediate satisfaction a new bathroom or walk-in closet would.

Simple maintenance can prolong the life of your gutters, but eventually, you’ll need to replace them. You might think you can wait a few more years, but once you know why replacing your gutters is so important, you may choose to move up your timeline.

They help keep your foundation safe

You could argue that the most important job of your gutters is to help keep your foundation safe. Whenever it rains, the runoff is collected in your gutters and is then directed towards the downspouts. Those downspouts then divert the water away from your home which helps keep it safe and protected.

Now imagine you don’t have gutters or they’re damaged. Rainwater could end up flowing down the side of your home. While some people may think this doesn’t matter if their siding is in good condition, it could affect your foundation. Water can seep behind your siding and could eventually get to your foundation. This in turn could cause mildew and mold to grow in your basement. It could even lead to water seeping into your home. Having functioning gutters is a great first line of defence. By having them installed, you can help avoid costly repairs later.

Technology has changed

Many people assume that gutters operate in the same way as they always have. While it’s true the function of gutters hasn’t changed, the technology and materials have. For example, many gutters on older homes have multiple sections. Wherever these sections meet, there’s a natural weak point that could erode over time. As you can imagine, many homeowners will go to great efforts to protect these seams to help ensure their homes remain in top condition. 

What you may not realize is that there are now seamless gutters available. With this new option, your gutters are composed of a single piece of material. That means there are no joints or weak points to worry about. Since these types of gutters are custom-made for your home, there’s less of a chance of cracks, sags, or leaks occurring. Plus, these gutters are designed to keep debris out so there’s minimal maintenance on your end.

It provides years of protection

Like every other part of your home, gutters have a defined lifespan. Generally speaking, aluminum gutters last around 20 years. If you have copper gutters, they’re known to have a lifespan of approximately 50 years. That said, you have to maintain your gutters regularly to help ensure they last. Eventually, you’ll need to replace your gutters, but many people push this off for years as they don’t think it’s a big priority.

As you’ve already learned, your gutters play a vital role in protecting your home. Having a leak in them can cause potential issues for your home. Any overflow from your gutters could also gather around your home and damage your landscaping. Additionally, you could see your siding, window frames, and even door start to rot since they lack protection. Getting a new gutter system installed can help ensure your home stays protected.

It can help make your home more appealing

Old and damaged gutters could diminish your home’s curbside appeal. This could be an issue if you plan on selling your home in the future. Not only can they be an eyesore, but the water run-off could damage things around your home.

Additionally, new gutters could be a selling point if you’re trying to stand out from other properties nearby that are up for sale. This is especially true in areas that see a lot of rain or snow. You could promote your new gutters as a huge benefit since any potential buyer won’t need to worry about replacing them for decades and there would be minimal maintenance.

The benefits of new gutters

While it is clear that getting new gutters can help improve your home, you may want to take a closer look at the benefits of LeafGuard® gutters. 

• They’re custom made - Every home is different. By getting custom gutters, you’ll have the perfect fit.
• Attractive design - One-piece gutters give your home a sleek and modern look.
• No clogs - LeafGuard® gutters are designed to help keep rodents, debris, and leaves out.
• Limited maintenance - Since there’s no debris that gets in, there will be less maintenance required.
• Less likelihood of damage - Without hinges or joints, the one-piece design lowers the chance of cracks, leaks, and sagging.
• They help keep away bugs - Insects are naturally attracted to moisture since they’re ideal breeding areas. New gutters push water away so it’s less appealing to bugs.

Ready for a new gutter system? Contact Local Home Pro now for a free in-home estimate. They’ll be able to provide you with details about seamless gutter systems and how they can help improve your home.