It’s spring in Texas, and you know what that means… It’s thunderstorm season! Even though rain gutters are important, many homeowners (and even some home buyers) overlook the condition they may be in because they blend in so well with the roof and siding. But your gutters serve a vital purpose, directing rain away from your home and protecting your roof from damage.
There are many steps you can take to protect your rain gutters from damage, and in the process your home and the surrounding areas as well. Learn more here and be sure to contact the experts at GAL-TECH Roofing today if you have noticed any issues with your gutters.
What Do Rain Gutters Do?
As mentioned above, rain gutters are meant to direct water off your roof and away from your home, but over time they do encounter wear and tear. For example, if the rain gutter breaks at the bottom near the ground, water may end up being deposited right by your home’s foundation, and water can damage your foundation and end up causing costly structural repairs. By ensuring rain gutters are perfect through the entire line, you can prevent damage from occurring.
Similarly, another major problem many homeowners encounter are clogged gutters. Water isn’t the only thing that ends up in your gutters, afterall. Leafs, acorns, sticks, and depending on if you have children, even frisbees and baseballs can get stuck in your rain gutter system. Unfortunately, this garbage can be difficult to see since gutters are typically connected around your roof, and often forgotten.
Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and spill over the roof right on the ground below causing the same issues a broken gutter can. Because of this, it is important to clean the debris out of your gutters often and prevent costly repairs in the future.
Types of Rain Gutters
While all rain gutter systems serve the same purpose, there are several types that homeowners have to choose from and should be considered when it’s time to replace an outdated or overused system. Of course, some types of rain gutters are popular in different parts of the country compared to others. For example, rain chains are a popular fixture in the Northwest, but you might not find them to be as popular in many other areas of the country. Some of the most popular types of rain gutters are:
Vinyl Gutters
Vinyl gutters are popular because they blend into your home’s appearance better than many other types. However, vinyl is not one of the stronger materials used to make rain gutters, and will likely need to be replaced more often.
Aluminum Gutters
Unlike vinyl gutters, aluminum is a bit stronger and even rustproof. This is a popular method for DIYers and professionals alike, and while they will last longer than vinyl, aluminum gutters can get dented or damaged relatively easily.
Stainless Steel Gutters
While stainless steel rain gutters are more expensive than vinyl or aluminum systems, they withstand the test of time much better. Stainless steel is the sturdiest option, and is also rustproof so you don’t need to worry nearly as much about the condition of this system so long as they are cared for and kept clean.
Signs Your Rain Gutters Need Replacement
Since rain gutters serve a great importance in the protection of your home, you should be sure to keep an eye out for some of these warning signs to see if your current rain gutters need replacement.
- Sagging or pulling away from the house
- Leaking at the corners or downspouts
- Improper installation
Contact Gal-Tech Roofing Today!
Rain gutters are an important and cost effective way of preventing great damage and issue to your home so if you have noticed any of the issues above, be sure to contact us by calling 817-559-1511 today!