Determine Your Rain Gutters Lifespan

While working on the yard, did you start to look at your gutters and wonder how long they may last? How about what steps to take in order to get the longest lifespan out of them? Well, Gutter Professionals, Inc. are here to help you determine the lifespan of your gutters!

How Long are Rain Gutters Supposed to Last?

According to the National Association of Home Builders, rain gutters have a life expectancy of more than 50 years if made of copper and for 20 years if made of aluminum. Copper downspouts last 100 years or more, while aluminum ones will last 30 years.

These time periods do not take natural weather disasters or damage from ladders into account, though. So how can you utilize the entire lifetime of your gutters and how do you know when to replace them? Here are some tips:

Prevention

• Do not rest your ladder on your gutters when cleaning them or getting onto the roof. Ladders can easily damage your gutters and dramatically decrease the life expectancy.
• Clean your gutters on a regular basis! Depending on the type of weather your area has may determine how many times you need to clean out the gutters.
• Put leaf guards on to help with debris control.
• Check fasteners and reseal the corners and endcaps every 5 years.
• If your gutters are made of galvanized steel, check them for rust.
• Ensure your downspouts are attached properly and extending 10 feet from the foundation, at minimum.

Signs You May Need to Repair or Replace Your Gutters

Most of the time, gutters can be repaired instead of completely replaced. Be sure to check with a professional before taking the leap of replacing your gutters.

1. Visible cracks, holes, and/or rust on the gutters
2. Paint that is bubbling or pealing on or around the gutters or off the house’s siding
3. Accumulation of water near the foundation of the house
4. Gutters are beginning to separate from the house or fasteners are broken
5. Gutters are separating from each other
6. Sagging gutters
7. Standing water in the gutters

If you are experiencing any of the above issues, call your experts at Gutter Professionals, Inc. today!

 

POSTED ON December 20, 2016 // 0 COMMENTS