Could you imagine a lopsided gutter system? What about one with gaps between the sections, forcing water to leak? Or what about a system with too much pitch to where it overflows, creating a trench around the foundation and causing soil erosion? Sounds like a nightmare, and unfortunately, these are common installation mistakes that even some professionals make.
At K-Guard® of Central Ohio, we’ve dismantled thousands of gutter systems before we installed our K-Guard® Gutters. Because we’ve dismantled so many, we’ve discovered common gutter installation mistakes, whether from a professional gutter company that installed a system incorrectly or a DIY disaster. Keep reading to learn about some common gutter installation mistakes to avoid so you can prevent drainage issues caused by faulty gutters.
Incorrect Pitch
One of the most important parts of installing a gutter system correctly is ensuring you install it with the correct pitch. Roof pitch or roof slope refers to the number of inches your roof risers for every foot of depth. For example, a 7/12 pitch represents a rise of 7 inches for every foot inward toward its peak or ridge. Every roof has a pitch, whether a low-slope, hip, gable, or metal roof.
Gutter companies have different gutter installation techniques, and failing to install gutters at the right pitch can cause issues. For one, too little of a pitch could cause the water inside the gutter to move too slowly, causing the water to remain inside the gutters, never reaching the downspouts and seeping under roof shingles. Too much of a pitch can cause the water inside gutters to move too fast and overflow, easily creating a trench around the foundation and resulting in basement leaks and structural damage.
At K-Guard® of Central Ohio, our installation team is trained to ensure your gutters will be installed at the right pitch so water flows through the gutters to the downspouts and gets diverted away from the home. We’ve correctly installed our K-Guard® Gutters with the perfect pitch on every home we’ve installed our gutter system on, something other gutter installation companies in Ohio can’t guarantee.
Downspout Misplacement
Another science of correct gutter installation is to place the correct number of downspouts in the right spots to ensure water flows freely through the gutters and into the downspouts. For example, placing the downspouts too far apart can result in overflowing water that can ruin your landscaping and damage your roof. A downspout could also be placed somewhere it shouldn’t be, like too close to a home’s foundation or near a walkway, easily causing extreme water damage and injuries.
Downspouts are a crucial component of every gutter system because they collect the water from the gutters and disperse it away from the home to avoid drainage issues. Downspouts have elbows at the very bottom, a component that when installed determines where the water will be dispersed. Pointing it in the wrong direction could lead to serious water damage to your home and landscaping.
Our team at K-Guard® of Central Ohio knows exactly where to place your downspouts. We know to avoid facing the elbow in the wrong direction and installing the right number of downspouts to avoid damage.
Sectional Gutter Installation Mistakes
Some homeowners install sectional gutters because they often have a lower price tag. Though they’re not ideal, especially on homes in Ohio, they are better than choosing to not install a gutter system. Sectional gutters often leak and cause damage to a home because installing them involves installing them section by section using tons of bolts and screws to connect them. Heavy water or snow puts pressure on the gutters, causing the bolts and screws to loosen. When they loosen, the sections will get gaps in between, causing leaky gutters.
Though sectional gutters are often a waste of money, if you choose to install them, ensure you choose a reputable company. We’ve dismantled plenty of sectional gutter systems installed incorrectly and had large gaps between sections leading to clogged gutters and leaks, also causing foundation damage.
Mounting the Gutters to the Roof
Gutters are typically installed very close to the roof, but not mounted to the roof. However, we’ve dismantled some that were attached directly to the roof which led to significant roof damage and even some wood rot, damaging the roof rafters. We’ve seen homeowners who have had to redo their roofs from being mounted to the roof.
Mounting gutters incorrectly also voids roof warranties. If you’ve ever replaced your roof, you know it can cost an average of $10,000. You want that investment protected, ensuring the company you hire offers a warranty. Mounting gutters incorrectly can potentially void that roof warranty, making you liable for damages and repairs.
It’s hard to know when to repair vs. replace your gutters, but generally, if you notice any of the above issues it’s best to replace them.
Avoid Common Gutter Installation Mistakes with K-Guard®
If you’re tired of troubleshooting your gutters season after season or have noticed any of the above common gutter installation mistakes to avoid, it’s time to replace your gutters. Say goodbye to common gutter installation issues with K-Guard® Gutters, a permanent gutter solution that is maintenance-free and prevents clogs!
Why K-Guard®? It’s a permanent solution to common gutter issues because it’s a complete system that keeps all debris from entering the gutters, only allowing water to enter. Because they don’t clog, they never sag or overflow, keeping water moving quickly through the system. K-Guard® has oversized gutters and downspouts that allow more rainwater and meltwater to flow through to the downspouts, never overflowing or sagging from excess rainfall or weight.
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’ll be happy to schedule a free estimate, provide a detailed analysis of your current gutter system, and a quote for installing our K-Guard® Gutters.