Sagging rain gutters can form an unsightly break in the clean lines of your home. Unfortunately, they can also cause serious water damage over time as water overflows down the side of your home. The water can damage your home’s siding and may even cause foundation compression if left unchecked. Find out what can cause sagging gutters and why it’s important to work with a professional roof repair company to fix any problems with them.
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What Causes Gutters to Sag?
Identifying the reason why your gutters are sagging is vital to protecting your home from water damage. Check out some of the most common causes of sagging gutters to find out why yours are starting to fail.
They’re Too Small
Rain gutters need to be able to channel water without overflowing or collapsing under their own weight. Most gutters are 5 or 6 inches wide, but some homes may have narrower gutters that are only 4 inches wide. These may not be suitable in an area like Las Vegas that experiences sudden, heavy downpours. Downspouts that are too narrow can also cause water to back up, which can weigh gutters down and make them sag.
Too Many Clogs
Just like a sink or tub, rain gutters can get clogged by debris, causing them to hold water longer than they’re designed. Leaf litter and branches from nearby trees are a primary form of debris and can trap water, weakening the gutters from the added weight and corrosion. The debris can also form a habitat for pests, which can contribute to clogging if they’re allowed to settle. Clean your rain gutters twice a year (more often if you live near trees), and install screens on top to keep out debris.
Not Enough Support
Gutters require proper support to hold the weight of the water they channel. If the screws holding them in place don’t penetrate the fascia deep enough, they’ll be prone to sagging. You may need to hire professionals for a roof repair service to replace the screws with deeper ones or add additional support.
Warping
Over time, gutters can begin to warp due to exposure to the elements. Ice dams can form in the winter within the rain gutter, which can stretch it due to expansion and its own weight. The extreme temperatures of Las Vegas can also progressively damage rain gutters as they expand in the summer heat and contract in the winter chill. Metal gutters are more resistant to season contraction but will require regular maintenance.
Can Bent Gutters Be Repaired?
It’s possible to repair a rain gutter depending on the scale of damage, but it’s best to work with a professional. A dent can usually be repaired with relative ease, but if the gutter is crushed or severely deformed, it cannot be repaired and must be replaced. This can also be an opportunity for you to upgrade your rain gutters to a new system that is easier to maintain and more resilient to damage.
One way to remove many of the factors that contribute to sagging rain gutters is by upgrading yours to seamless gutters. Unlike seamed gutters, these are made of one long piece of material that can be cut on-site and custom-fit to your home. This reduces the likelihood of leaks and makes them easy to maintain and repair. Contact the Original Roofing Company if you’d like to learn more about installing seamless rain gutters on your home.
