Though gutter systems are a quintessential component of any home to help protect from drainage issues, they can fail with or without warning. Traditional gutter systems and systems made from certain gutter materials like vinyl or low-quality materials won’t last nearly as long as durable systems made from high-quality materials. Unfortunately, some gutter systems can fail without warning, resulting in a sudden gutter failure.
Keep reading to learn about emergency gutter maintenance and how to handle sudden gutter failures so you can be prepared if your system ever fails. Plus, we’ll discuss a permanent solution to avoid gutter failures!
Why do Gutter Systems Fail?
Gutter systems fail for several reasons, most often from previous damage made worse by severe storm damage. Below are some common reasons why gutter systems fail:
Previous Damage Made Worse
Sometimes we’re unaware of damage to exterior components of our homes until there’s a major indication, like leaks or tears. Unfortunately, the same is true for gutter systems; they’re out of sight, often out of mind, and most homeowners are unaware of any previous damage until they show signs like leaks, overflowing water, or sagging.
Gutter systems can have hidden previous damages like loose bolts and screws in sectional gutters, dents from severe weather including hail, or tearing away from the home from excess weight from snow accumulation or ice dams. Unfortunately, when this previous damage goes unnoticed, it’s made worse by strong wind gusts and severe weather that can cause the whole system to fail.
Low-quality Materials
Another reason gutter systems fail is low-quality materials. Like the siding or materials used for your pool deck, material matters and influences your gutter system’s lifespan and performance. Different gutter materials exist, including steel, copper, aluminum, and vinyl. Of course, quality varies depending on the gutter installation company you hire, but generally speaking, high-quality aluminum gutters like K-Guard® Gutters are best and can withstand all severe weather.
While steel is one of the strongest manmade materials, it can corrode and wear down if the gutter system is made from galvanized steel. Stainless steel is the better option for steel gutters, but they’re almost four times more expensive than other gutter materials. Copper gutters are another durable gutter material, but they complement vintage homes best and require routine maintenance to avoid tarnishing. Vinyl gutters sound great because of their low price tag, but they’re a waste of money because they don’t last in severe weather in areas that experience all four seasons like Central Ohio.
High-quality aluminum is best for gutter systems and requires less maintenance than other materials. However, not all aluminum gutters are the same. Traditional, half-round gutters, sectional gutters, or gutter systems made from low-quality aluminum won’t last nearly as long as K-Guard® made from heavy-duty aluminum.
No Maintenance
Like other home components, most gutter systems require seasonal gutter care to look their best and to aid in their performance. Half-round gutters are completely exposed, allowing debris like leaves, twigs, pine needles, and pests to collect inside the gutter, easily forming clogs. Clogged gutters are a major reason gutter systems fail, often causing leaky and overflowing gutters, and damaging other parts of the home.
Sectional gutters are connected piece by piece using bolts and screws, creating a lot of mini sections to complete one large section of gutters. These sections loosen over time, causing leaks and water damage. It’s imperative to clean your gutters often to avoid damage; keeping gutters clean protects your home.
Improper Installation
Not all gutter systems are installed the same way. Different companies have different gutter installation techniques depending on the type of system and how they are mounted to the home. Unfortunately, installing gutters from an inexperienced company or installing low-quality gutters can result in improper installation. They could be mounted incorrectly, the pitch could be wrong, or they could have been installed in a way that voids your roof’s warranty, resulting in a costly nightmare if you ever try to replace or repair your roof under warranty.
How to Handle Sudden Gutter Failures
Most gutter failures require a professional’s assessment and replacement, but there are some things you can try to troubleshoot your gutter failure. If you have a half-round gutter system or one with a gutter screen/filter, check the gutters for a clog; if you notice one, remove the clog immediately so it’s no longer impeding water flow. For sectional gutters, check every bolt and screw to see if they’re leaking or are saggy because of a loose section. If they still won’t work properly, it’s time for a professional.
If you experience a sudden gutter failure, contact a gutter installation company like K-Guard® of Central Ohio. We offer every first customer a free quote which includes an assessment of your current gutter system, allowing us to check for damage and failures, and a quote for installing K-Guard® Gutters.
Avoid a Gutter Failure with K-Guard® Gutters
Unlike other gutter systems, K-Guard® Gutters are made from heavy-duty aluminum that will never dent, chip, sag, or tear away from the home regardless of the severity of the weather. Our gutters are seamless with no bolts and screws tying each piece together, eliminating leaky gutters. Our gutter product is a complete system with multiple components that work together to prevent clogs and keep water moving freely through the system quickly.
Another great advantage to installing K-Guard® is that it lasts a lifetime, with a transferable lifetime warranty that protects your investment. We promise our gutter product will never fade, chip, clog, or require gutter repair or cleaning, and our installation will never void your roof’s warranty. We’ll ensure the pitch and downspout placements are correct, avoiding all other gutter installation mistakes.
Contact our team today if you’re ready to switch to the K-Guard® System. We’re happy to schedule a free estimate, provide a detailed analysis of your current gutter system, and a quote for installing our K-Guard® Gutters.