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What Causes Gutters To Sag
If your rain gutters are sagging, it might be time for a little gutter maintenance. Over time, sagging gutters can cause leaks, which lead to even bigger problems like a compromised foundation and/or roof, insect infestation, mold buildup, and much more. But what, exactly, causes gutters to sag in the first place? There are many possible causes.
Here are the top 3:
1. Improper Gutter Sizing
Gutters and downspouts come in many sizes. You might think this is purely for cosmetic reasons, but it’s also very practical. Many homes have 5 inch gutters, which is usually enough to properly whisk the rainwater away. However, there are a few factors that may influence the effectiveness of your gutters, which should be considered before choosing one size over another.
The first factor is roof slope. If you have a steeply sloped roof, you’ll need bigger gutters to accommodate the rainwater that will rush down the roof. The other factor is the average amount of rainfall in your area. If your area frequently experiences heavy rainfall, a smaller sized gutter won’t be able to handle the accumulating rainwater. You’ll need a bigger sized gutter for this instead. Similarly, if your downspouts aren’t large enough to accommodate the amount of rainfall, you’re going to run into issues.
2. Inadequate Support
Missing gutter hangers can cause gutters to sag. Gutter hangers are an essential part of your rain gutter system. They provide support and strength. If your gutters don’t have enough support, you’re going to experience sagging. You may not have enough support if your gutter hangers are spaced too far apart, or if the screws aren’t long enough to anchor into the fascia.
3. Clogged Gutters
Debris buildup is extremely heavy, which puts strain on your gutter system. Debris isn’t always visible from the ground, but if you haven’t hired a rain gutter cleaning service in a while, it’s a good bet this is the source of your sagging problem.
While a rain gutter cleaning service may help you temporarily fix your clogged gutter issues, they won’t be able to help you realign your gutters or prevent the problem from happening all over again the next time your gutters fill with debris.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The main issue with improperly sized gutters is that the gutters will fill with water and put a strain on the whole system.
- Clogged gutters are the number one culprit of gutter sagging.
- A simple rain gutter cleaning service may not have the tools or know-how to properly support your gutters.
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3 Signs your gutters need replacing that you might never have thought of. . .
1. When it rains, you can hear water smacking the ground – This normally indicates that your gutters are not draining properly and that the water if pouring over the sides. Your gutters might be misaligned or blocked by debris. Sometimes this is an easy fix where you only have to have your gutters cleaned. But, sometimes it may indicate that you need to look at replacing your gutters, especially if this is happening in more than one area on your house.
2. You’re finding nails or broken fasteners on the ground – This normally indicates that your gutters are loose. If a big storm/wind comes, it could take your gutters with it. Sometimes all that needs to be done is to have your gutters re-secured. But, more often than not and depending on the reason why your gutters were loose in the first place, you may need to have them replaced.
3. When you look at your gutters, you can see gaps between the gutters and the fascia board – This normally indicates that your gutters are pulling away from your house and that the water is probably getting to close to the outside of your home. This can lead to problems with your foundation, basement leaking, and even ruining your landscaping. You would need to get these replaced/repaired as soon as possible to avoid long term issues. 