Do your gutters look more like a roller coaster ride than a straight line? Warped and saggy gutters not only look strange, they can also lead to damage to your home. Here’s how to decrease the need for a seasonal gutter facelift.

Why Are Warped Gutters a Problem?

Warped or saggy gutters don’t look good, but are they actually a problem? A warped gutter can lead to debris accumulation as water and debris isn’t flowing in a straight line. As the gutter becomes more and more clogged with debris, water can back up. If the water can’t run down the drain, it has two places to go. It may back up onto your roof again, causing serious problems such as warping, cracking, or lifting of your roofing. This can lead to roof leaks and ultimately to structural damage if it is not fixed.

Gutter backups can also lead to water flow over the side of the gutters. When water cascades over the side of the gutter, it may cause erosion or damage to landscaping, or it could run down the side of your home.

Why Do Gutters Warp and Sag?

Over time, metals do experience changes, especially when they are exposed to water, heat, and cold. Sometimes, gutters are installed improperly, causing them to warp and sag. However, some common gutter problems can exacerbate these changes. In the winter months, ice can form in your gutters. Since water expands as it freezes, these ice dams not only block the flow of water, they can change the shape of your gutters, causing damage. In the fall and spring, accumulated debris such as leaves and blossoms can also reshape gutters. If the debris accumulation is very large, you may also find that animals such as wasps and birds choose to nest in your gutters, further blocking the water flow.

Solutions to Keep Your Gutters on the Straight and Narrow

Given your gutters’ interactions with the elements, how can you prevent them from warping? Good installation is key, and it’s important to work with a professional whenever possible. If you notice that your gutters are sagging, check to ensure that the brackets that hold the gutters to the building a intact. If they are not, repair them. Choose high quality materials, and check them regularly. Aluminum gutters are more flexible, so they warp more easily than steel. Any gutter should have a coating, and when you check your gutters ensure that the coating is intact, as small uncoated areas can be debris magnets.

A gutter cover can also mitigate a lot of the seasonal problems people experience with their gutters. These covers prevent debris from entering the gutter. You can also install gutter heating systems that prevent ice dams and allow your debris-free water to flow easily down the pipes.

When you’re looking at gutter covers, contact Harry Helmet. Our Gutter Guard technology reduces gutter problems by preventing them in the first place. You can rediscover the delights of fall leaves and falling snow when you know that your gutters are safe from the storm. Contact Harry Helmet today for a quote.
Written by Del Thebaud