Your gutters are leaking. You hear them dripping every night as you go to bed, and when you wake up on cold winter days, icicles have formed where you don’t want to see any icicles at all. You really don’t want to pursue a home renovation right now. Should you postpone it, or should you leap into action? What is the best time to install new gutter systems?

What is Involved in Gutter Installation? 

There are a number of different kinds of gutters, so gutter installation varies depending on the gutter style and brand. If you are looking for an all in one gutter replacement, then you will get the gutter with its gutter cover installed at the same time, since it’s all in a single piece.

Other gutters can be replaced independently. For example, you could work with a gutter company to install seamless gutters, which need to be created on site, as they are custom-designed for the size and shape of your home. You could choose to add a number of products to these seamless gutters, including gutter heat if you’re in a cold area and gutter covers that protect your gutters from leaf accumulation.

Another option is to go the DIY route and install sectional gutters on your home. You could also choose to add a gutter filtration product that you purchase and install, such as a mesh filter over the gutter.

According to Bob Vila, “gutters prevent a slew of potentially extensive, expensive moisture-related problems, all while remaining largely out of sight and out of mind.” Make sure that your gutters are being the hero of your home by choosing the right products, the right installer, and the right time to install them.

When Should You DIY? 

Some people choose to install their own gutters or gutter covers. It’s easiest to do DIY gutter projects at a time of year when it’s not raining or snowing. Installing gutters can dangerous and working in inclement weather can be challenging.

The challenge with installing gutters and gutter covers at a pleasantly dry time of the year is that you won’t know how they hold up to winter snow or spring rain until those seasons arrive. Sectional gutters are a good choice for DIYers, but correct installation is important. If you position them at the wrong slope or the gutters tip in or out from the house, you could cause damage to your home.

DIY gutter covers, such as foam inserts or wire mesh also show off their abilities during the wet, leafy seasons. Fall is a good time for you to see whether your gutter cover is working. Many DIY gutter covers look great when they’re installed during the summer, but the fall is the true test of their abilities. It’s then that you will see how effective the covers really are. You can determine if the foam filter gets covered in fine mud or whether your wire mesh cover allows water in and keeps the leaves out. You’ll also get a sense of how often you need to clean or change your gutter filter, if at all.

When Should You Connect With a Gutter Company? 

Some people choose to install their own gutters, while others partner with a gutter company to do the work. Hiring a gutter company can be a relief for homeowners who may not have the physical ability or interest in braving a ladder to climb up and install gutter products. A gutter company can also create high-quality seamless gutters for your home, reducing future gutter leaks. Finally, a gutter company has access to top of the line gutter cover products such as gutter covers that work with surface tension and incorporate a nose-forward design, so that water slides in and leaves slide off the gutter cover.

What is the best time of the year to work with a gutter company? Often, people install new gutters on their home at the same time that they conduct other projects around the house, such as installing or repairing the roof. This often happens during the summer months when installers don’t need to deal with rain or snow. Homeowners also like to get ready for the fall and winter so gutter installation is planned before the fall wind and rain.

If you’re trying to find a time when your gutter company is less busy, ask. They may have spring sales or cater to those who are just heading into the summer and want to move quickly into home renovation mode.

Springtime is for Gutters 

What will you notice in the spring if your home is ready for new gutters or a gutter cover? You may notice some of the following issues…

• Your gutters are sagging due to the weight of the snow in the winter. They have loose brackets and the angle is off.
• Your gutters have spread apart at the seams, or they are leaking there. The weight of debris and snow and rain has been too much for them.
• Water is leaking down the back or the front of the gutters. They are clogged with debris or may sit at the wrong angle, so debris collects in the gutters. This can lead to foundation and siding damage if it’s not corrected.
• Debris accumulates at the downspout entrance. There is just too much material in the gutter from fall leaves, winter storms, or spring blossoms.

Should you install new gutters in the spring? If you notice that your gutters have been damaged during the winter, their angle is off, or water is pouring from the gutters, the answer is certainly yes. You can also install a gutter cover to prevent the gutters from filling up with blossoms, pollen, and other spring debris.

Summer is High Season for Gutters 

There’s a trick to home renovations, and the trick is that you need to think about renovations during the season when you don’t need to use the renovation. Gutters are an excellent example of this. Summer is the best time to do a lot of renovation work because it is dry.

During the summer, some of the signs that you need to replace your rain gutter are the same as they are in the spring. In addition, problems with mosquitoes as you move into the late spring and summer months can also point to gutter troubles. This can be due to poor gutter drainage that leads to water pooling in your gutters.

During the latter part of the summer, another sign that you need to repair, replace, or add a gutter cover to your gutters is the presence of animals in your gutters. If the gutters accumulate leaves some insects and animals may choose to nest there. As a result, you could have an abundance of wasps in your garden, for example. This can be dangerous to you and your summer guests.

Summer is a great time to add new gutters or gutter covers to your home as you renovate during the dry season and prepare for the wet, leafy fall weather.

Fall Is a Time to Get Prepared 

As you move into the fall, you may be overwhelmed with the start up of everything again, even if your family is no longer tied to a seasonal school schedule. For many, this feels like the beginning of the year, and it is a good time to start afresh with new gutters or a gutter cover system. Be proactive; if you know that the fall rain or wind will push branches and leaves into your gutters, get a handle on the problem before it begins.

What if it’s the middle of the wet and windy season and you’ve just discovered a lot of water falling from your gutters? It’s better to address this now, before your foundation, siding, or roof gets damaged. Check your gutters first or ask professionals to assess them to see if it makes sense for you to repair them or if total gutter replacement is recommended. Maybe your gutters just need to be cleaned. You can take care of that problem once and not worry about it again; Ask the professionals about options for gutter covers.

Fall is also a time to look at gutter heat options. If your area gets a lot of cold weather during the winter, adding gutter heat can help you avoid serious roof damage due to ice that backs up under the roofing tiles, causing leaks.

If you have a gutter backup emergency and it’s due to leaking, sagging, or damaged gutters, it’s better to deal with this before your gutters lead to other home renovation issues.

Winter is the Time to Enjoy Your Warm, Dry Home 

During the winter months, you hope to enjoy the warmth of your home without worrying about all of those icicles damming your gutter or about the water pouring from the clogged gutters. However, if you notice that your roof or gutters have suffered damage due to winter storms, contact a gutter company. While winter may not be the ideal time to add a new roof or gutters, you do need to ensure that you stop any serious problems from becoming worse over the season.

At Lednor Home Solutions, we’re here to help you all year round. Whether you have a gutter backup in the winter or you’re planning ahead, we can help you by giving you an estimate on a new seamless gutter or gutter heating system. Our gutter covers help protect your roof, siding, and gutters, and you’ll never have to clean your gutters again. If you want to make sure that your gutters are installed right the first time, contact Lednor Home Solutions and schedule a free estimate today.

Written by Del Thebaud