Don’t let your gutters go their own way
Does it seem like your gutters are in the gutter? If you’ve noticed your gutters pulling away from your house, it could be due to too much weight pulling out the nails. However, an experienced gutter pro can often fix separated gutters with a little TLC. Project scope with this common problem all comes down to whether or not rot has crept in and whether a gutter replacement is in order. Learn how to fix gutters pulling away from your house.
Have your gutters gone wild? If you’ve noticed sagging or your gutters have pulled away from your house, it’s time to fix this issue. Remember that gutters sag before they pull away, so early detection is best.
These are the most common causes of sagging gutters:
Water weight
Leaves
General yard debris
Critter nests
Incorrectly installed gutter fasteners
Incorrect hanger spacing
Rotted fascia behind the gutters
Not all gutter damage happens gradually. It's also possible that storms and extreme weather caused enough damage to get a gutter to separate. This occurrence is common with things like flying tree branches.
The one thing that all separated gutters have in common is that the long nails connecting the gutter material to the roof's fascia start to loosen.
You want to get this fixed because gutters help to stop water from pooling around your home's foundation. In fact, standing water in your gutters is a sign your gutters need repair, even if you haven't yet noticed damage up top. The easy fix of simply tightening your gutters today can help you avoid a damaged foundation.
Worried your gutters are gone for good? Luckily, you can win them back with a fairly simple repair.
First, you must get up to where the gutters meet the fascia to assess the situation. Here are the questions to ask before taking a look:
Do I have a safe, secure ladder to use?
Do I feel comfortable climbing up this high?
Do I have a strong enough understanding of what I'm looking for to make an assessment?
It's no big deal if you don't want to get on a ladder. This is your cue to call in a local gutter repair professional to assess the point of failure. If you do get up there on your own, take a good look at your fascia boards near the problem. Are they in good shape? Do you see signs of rotting?
If your fascia boards have rotted, the plan becomes more complex because you'll need to replace the boards to protect your home.
"Generally if you have rotted fascia, it's easier to repair if the gutters are removed first," says Ami Feller, Expert Review Board Member and owner of Roofer Chicks in New Braunfels, TX. "Detaching and resetting gutters is challenging, since they often bend or are damaged in the process. It generally does not cost a whole lot more to just replace the gutters."
If your boards look good, you can repair the sagging gutters by securing the loose nails. You can even consider replacing the existing nail with a longer gutter screw to stop the problem from happening again.
Gutter replacement is necessary for a section of your gutters if you see telltale signs of storm damage like gutter clogs, leaks, and standing water. Extensive damage in a seamless gutter system could mean it's time to replace your entire gutter system. The same is true if your original gutters were not properly installed.
Gutter installation, like any roof work, is not recommended for most homeowners. DIY gutter installation is only a good idea if you have experience and all the necessary safety equipment. Worse yet, you might make the "rookie" DIY mistake and select gutters that aren't right for your home.
"Also, the best gutters these days are seamless gutters, which the gutter company rolls out and forms on site from a coil of metal," says Feller. "Since they are seamless, there are less joints that can leak. When you do a DIY gutter job, you don't generally have this capability."
You can call a local gutter installation pro who is insured and knows which gutters will work best for your home.
Keep your gutters looking good (and catch sagging before gutters start to pull away), by keeping up with regular maintenance.
You can DIY proper gutter maintenance and regular gutter cleanings, but a gutter pro can:
Check for blockages
Patch up superficial fascia holes and cracks
Replace missing screws
It's also smart to have a pro take a look at your roof while they're up there. Ask them to check for missing or moved shingles, as well as rot, mold, and any discoloration.
To find a qualified gutter pro, it’s helpful to ask the following questions to ensure that you hire the right professional for the job.
How much does your gutter installation cost?
What are your qualifications and experience in gutter repair and installation?
Do you have experience with my particular type of gutters?
What preventive measures do you suggest for avoiding gutter separation?
Do you provide warranties for repair or replacement?
What’s your process for assessing the cause of gutters pulling away from the house and what are your potential solutions?
Can you inspect and replace rotted fascia boards?
How do you ensure that gutters are installed with the correct type of gutter hanger spacing to prevent sagging?
Can you provide references or examples of past gutter repair projects?
What measures do you take to ensure the safety of your workers during gutter repairs?
Are you insured?
Scott Dylan Westerlund contributed to this piece.
