How to Repair a Sagging Gutter
Your gutters are a critical part of your home’s structure that allow water to run off into the ground instead of into the walls of your home. But with time, they start to may start to sag. If left unattended, neglected gutters can cause serious damage to your home’s interior and exterior. If this happens, not only will you need to replace your gutters, but also the interior walls of your home. Thankfully, in minor situations, sagging gutters can be fixed up with some tools and a little bit of elbow grease. Here’s what you need to know about how to repair a sagging gutter on your own, and when to enlist the help of a professional.
What Causes Sagging Gutters?
In addition to simply wearing out, a number of things can cause sagging gutters. Some of the most common reason for sagging gutters include:
- Heavy rainfall or snow damage
- Wind damage
- Buildup of debris from neglecting to clean your gutters regularly
- Excess weight from ladders
Minor sagging usually doesn’t cause an issue. However, if your gutters are sagging too low, excess water does not drain properly. Instead, it creates a stagnant pool of water, which is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Over time, your gutters may also start to leak, allowing water to seep behind interior walls and damage your home.
Repairing Sagging Gutters
To repair a sagging gutter, you need to get to the root of the problem. In some instances, the gutter actually bends onto itself, whereas in other cases, the gutter supports can come loose or break completely. If the metal is bent or compromised, it’s best to remove and replace the entire section of gutter. But if the sagging is minor, a simple repair might be all that’s needed. Grab a ladder and carefully take a look.
Sometimes, the gutter hangers are only loose and need tightening. If they are completely broken, you can easily remove the broken hardware, replace it, and the gutter should work, good as new. If you can’t figure out where the sagging begins or ends, stand back and take a look at the gutter in its entirety. Is the sagging a result of missing supports? Are there areas where the supports are completely missing? Again, both of these are quick fixes you can probably do on your own.
When to Call a Professional
If the gutter damage goes beyond a simple repair or if you’ve already tried to fix your gutters multiple times, you should consider hiring a gutter repair professional. A qualified gutter repairman can quickly identify the cause of your sagging gutters, tell you how to correct the issue and implement the repair quickly.
While it’s true that some situations only warrant a scaled-up version of what you have done, others require new gutter installation. For example, it’s possible that the existing gutters on your home were not wide enough to handle excess rainfall or are not constructed of the right material. Regardless of the issue, a reputable gutter pro will help you find a long-term solution that suits both your needs and budget. And remember – for expertise you can trust in the greater San Antonio area, contact American Hill Country Gutters. We’ll get you started with a free estimate, so don’t delay!
