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.
"Gutter sagging is a common problem homeowners face. Unfortunately, it can be a detriment to your curb appeal, and cause severe and costly damage in the long run." Original Source: https://www.leaffilter.ca/blog/what-causes-gutters-to-sag/

Gutter Parts and Terminology Explained

Just like your windows, siding and doors, gutters have their own variety of connecting parts that make them function properly. It’s important to know all the gutter parts and terms so if anything goes wrong or you just need to do some simple maintenance, you know what’s happening and how you can fix it. The first thing you need to know about your gutters is the materials they come in. Depending on where you live, you may benefit from one gutter material more than another. The most widely used gutter material is aluminum. Aluminum gutters are very lightweight and can come in a variety of different colors. Although aluminum gutters are light, it’s best to have gutters professionally installed to make sure they’re safely and securely put into place. Copper gutters are known mainly for their aesthetic appeal and beauty. However, with great looks comes a great price. Steel gutters will need to be maintained more often because they can easily rust if left unattended. Vinyl gutters are good for DIYers because they’re a very lightweight option and inexpensive, however, of all the other gutter materials, vinyl gutters are most prone to cracking. Seamless gutters are a much more reliable option. They’re custom made to your home and have no sections. Each length of gutter is one solid piece, leaving no room for parts to fall off and cause leaks. Gutter sections are simply the gutters themselves. They’re the horizontal part that attaches to your home and collects the runoff from your roof. If you have seamless gutters, the gutter sections are the entire gutter on each side of your home. Downspouts are the vertical gutter parts that allow the runoff from the gutters to drain away from your home. Downspouts can come in round or rectangular shapes. Hangers and hidden hangers are the piece that connect the gutter section to your home. Hidden hangers are installed inside the gutter so that they’re not visible from below or front. A miter is the fastener that connects two gutter sections on a corner. KEY TAKEAWAYS:
  • Sectional gutters are good for DIYers and are available at any home improvement store.
  • Pipe cleats are the fasteners that connect the downspout to the side of your home.
  • The elbow on a gutter system is the piece that connects to the end of the downspout so water can efficiently drain away.

  • "End caps are the piece of a gutter section that helps keep excess debris or water from escaping the gutters. Its found at the end of a section and can also be screwed into the eaves." Original Source: http://www.4feldco.com/articles/gutter-parts-terminology/

    Are Gutters Actually Necessary?

    The apparently straightforward fixture that runs along the edge of the roof is entrusted with a vital responsibility. Gutters are essential, know how to ensure yours do the best job possible. Gutters are an imperative component of homes’ exteriors and not just some sort of decorative feature. Professionally installed gutters create a clean edge around your home’s roofline and the gutter system on every new house for a job—guiding rain and storm water off the roof and away from the foundation of the house which is essential to the home’s structural well-being. In case your gutters are not fully functioning, and downspouts to control runoff in a safe manner, rainwater could cut pathways through your yard creating ditches, pooling in low-lying areas, and destroying your lawns, flowers, and other vegetation. KEY TAKEAWAYS:
  • Gutter must be kept clean and free from debris
  • Clogged gutters can be nearly as bad as having no gutters at all.
  • If you have traditional gutters on your home, you should clean them at least twice a year.

  • "No matter how gently rain falls onto your roof, the water builds up as it runs off and creates a powerful surge that, if not diverted, can hammer the ground next to your foundation." Original Source: http://www.bobvila.com/articles/are-gutters-actually-necessary/

    5 Ways Clogged Gutters Are Destroying Your Home

    Regularly cleaned gutters protect many key components of the home, including the foundation. Clogged gutters put the foundation at risk, storms come and go, rainwater runs amok, pooling around the base of the home and seeping into the ground, where it exerts intense pressure against the foundation. After a while, due to the pressure, the foundation begins to crack, allowing water to enter the basement resulting in extensive and expensive to repair damage. Tthe foundation may ultimately fail if the situation does not get corrected, leaving the home vulnerable to a cave-in or collapse—a catastrophe. When gutters malfunction, water gets to parts of the home that were never designed to withstand exposure to that much moisture. Windowsills and door jambs are often the first to buckle. Mold poses a legitimate health hazard, particularly if anyone in your household suffers from allergies. KEY TAKEAWAYS:
  • In theory, gutters are simple, straightforward components that perform precisely as intended.
  • Gutters offer protection by preventing overwhelming volumes of water from cascading onto foundation plantings.
  • Many types of insects thrive in stagnant water.

  • "If you allow clogs to render your gutters ineffective, it could take only one heavy storm to compromise or even erode your landscaping." Original Source: http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/5-ways-clogged-gutters-are-destroying-your-home-50590?slide_name=weak-foundations&bvsp=lg

    6 Reason to Choose Alloy Gutter for Your Gutter Needs

    1. Alloy Gutter has been in business since 1976 – We install residential & commercial seamless aluminum “K” style gutters. 2. Alloy Gutter services a very wide expanded are in Michigan – We service from Port Huron to Grand Rapids, and we service from Toledo to Flint. 3. Alloy Gutter offers same day/next day scheduling – We are able to get to jobs in a very short timeline. 4. Alloy Gutter represents your company on the job site – Alloy gutter services homes and contractors. 5. Alloy’s gutters and leaf protection come with an 18 month warranty on our labor – This means if you have any leaks or issues associated with the work we’ve done on your home, we will come out and fix it free of charge within 18 months of original install. 6. Alloy Gutter has office and installer professionals that are available to you YEAR ROUND. Alloy Gutter has been proven through the test of time. Our services are available to all of our customers. Please give us a call if you need any gutter work done!

    Top 5 Reasons To Keep Gutters Clean

    Gutters are a significant part of your roofing system and it is crucial that you perform regular gutter maintenance. Your gutter system is designed to redirect the flow of water off the roof and away from your home. However, it is very common for leaves, branches, and other debris to obstruct water flow and cause the gutters not to perform to their full potential. Gutters When your gutters are full of junk they fail to do their job properly. To reiterate, the job of your gutters is to drain water away from the house. If water is not properly drained away from your home, an array of issues can arise. Listed below are 5 top reasons we think you should clean your gutters out regularly. Sagging Gutters – The number one issue we get repair calls for is sagging gutters. If you have the weight of debris in your gutters along with the weight of water you have a recipe for disaster. If you don’t take care of this issue by winter the water will freeze causing the gutters to become extremely heavy. Over time the screw in brackets will loosen and pull away from the fascia board (or rotted fascia board) causing them to sag and eventually fall of the home, resulting in you having to shell out money to get them fixed. Rotting Wood – What happens when water has cannot drain properly off the roof? The water will back up on the fascia board. Water seeping into your fascia board will cause that board to rot. Rotting wood does not look good on any house. And if that rotted wood isn’t taken care of you can expect it to cause substantial damage to the structure of your house, which meaning big money to repair. Mold – Nobody likes the word mold. In fact you tell any potential home buyer that your house has mold you won’t be selling it anytime soon. Again, when water has nowhere to go and sits for a long period of time mildew and mold will begin to form. After a while that mold will spread and mold is difficult to remove causing you to spend your hard earned money on something that could have been avoided. Water Staining – When there are leaves, dirt, grime and filth clogging your gutters there is nowhere for water to drain. Water will drain over the gutters and down the gutters themselves leaving stains. The water will, in time, stain the walls underneath the gutters. Eventually you’ll end up with gutters and walls that look dirty. Pests – I have not met one person in this world who has told me they don’t mind mosquitoes. Mosquitoes absolutely love standing water. If you haven’t cleaned your gutters in awhile I can guarantee you will have created the breeding grounds for hundreds of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes aren’t the only pest that likes standing water, ants, termites and other vermin will find their way to your roof line and maybe even into your home. Save yourself the frustration from all these issues and clean your gutters regularly. If you don’t have the time to do this job yourself, give us a call at Alloy Gutter. We will be happy to assist you.

    5 Signs You Should Invest in Gutters

    Gutters may seem like one of those miscellaneous items that gets ignored when it comes to house repairs but trust us, it is an item that when ignored can lead to some serious expenditures. If you are on the fence about getting your gutters done, below are 5 signs that you should invest in getting the work done. 1. Leaking – If you notice that when it rains that water is dripping from the seams or corners it is sign that your gutters need some TLC. Leaks can lead to serious problems in the future. 2. Pulling Away – The gutters will start to pull away from the fascia board if there is too much weight in them, they will also pull away if water has been getting behind the gutter causing the fascia board to rot and the screws to pull out. When this happens you will want to call us to correct the issue before more damage is done 3. Trees in the Eaves – Gutters need to be cleaned annually at the very least. When you fail to maintain your gutter, you will eventually start to notice little plants growing in them. Your gutters were definitely not intended to become flower pots. 4. Holes – If you notice that your gutters have developed holes, this is the most obvious sign that the gutters are no longer doing their intended job. Gutters with holes will eventually cause mayhem to your landscaping and foundation. 5. Holding Water – Gutters should have a slight pitch. When gutters have had debris in them for a while the weight of the debris can cause the pitch to be off. This leads to having standing water left in the gutters. If this happens, the water can be a breeding ground for bugs and mold. We are happy to come out and assess any issues you have with your gutters. We are committed to solving your gutter problems. Give us a call at 734-374- 2100.

    Water Always Wins – Unless You Give Alloy Gutter Company A Call

    Keeping your gutters clean and in good repair is not a task many of us enjoy. However, ignoring leaking or overflowing gutters can end up costing you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Let’s take a look at some of the many problems that occur from deferred gutter maintenance. Soil erosion is usually the first thing you will notice. This happens when gutters overflow and create a waterfall. The waterfall will soon leave you with a divot in your lawn. It can also turn into a muddy mess after a rainfall. A less noticeable issue is rotting fascia board. This happens when water flows behind the gutters and the fascia board becomes saturated. It doesn’t take long for the wood to rot and the gutters can actually pull away from or fall off of the house. Shortly after the soil erosion and rotting fascia board comes the wet basement. The water-saturated soil will eventually result in a swimming pool in your basement. This is the end result of deferred gutter maintenance or replacement. It really is quite simple to avoid all of the above issues. Keep your gutters clean and watch for eroded soil or water overflowing during rainstorms. Also, check your gutters to be sure they are securely attached to the house. If you notice any of these issues, give Alloy Gutter a call. We want to take care of any problems before you have water in your basement.

    3 Signs Your Gutters Need Replacing

    Gutter-Replacement3 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.

    Importance of Checking Your Gutters

    gutter-drainage Working at Alloy Gutter I’ve learned exactly what I should be looking for when I have any gutter issues. I recently purchased a house and immediately noticed that I would have to fix the gutters as soon as possible. The previous owner had put in a nice patio but had failed to reroute the gutters so that the downspouts don’t pour out on the patio. There are a number of things that can happen when downspouts are pouring out onto a patio. If the water is able to get under the patio you’ll start to notice that your patio will have a green tinge. This is from the water not being able to complete dry under the patio. The moisture will be trapped causing mold to start growing. Another issue that will arise is ice forming all over the patio. During the winter months when the water is sitting on the patio, it will eventually freeze and you will have a nice ice rink. It was important to take note of these things as I made the biggest purchase of my life thus far. I came into work the next day and asked if they could take care of the issues and they were out that very day. If you want things taken care of quickly, such as your gutters, then Alloy Gutter is the right fit for you. Give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.
    1 2 3 5