The gutters on your roof are more essential than you might think. However, installing seamless gutters can be a daunting task for many. Especially if you lack the technical expertise on how to get the job done. Most of the time, it’s better to hire a professional for installation. 

However, this doesn’t mean that you pick up the phone and start dialing. You need to know a few things, like the different types of gutter and when to call a professional beforehand. In this guide, we’ll cover all of that and more. So if you want to make an informed decision and have a seamless gutter installation experience, keep reading. 

Why Is Gutter Installation Important?

When it comes to protecting your house from rain, snow, and even falling leaves, it’s essential to have gutters installed around your house. You don’t want to wait until it’s too late to have your gutter installed or maintained. 

It’s better to be safe than sorry. Not having your gutters installed on time will lead to tons of major problems like leakage or clogged drains. Some of the main reasons why seamless gutter installation is important:

Saves Time and Money 

Not having seamless gutters installation means that you’ll have to pay for cleaning and maintenance at least twice a year, and it’ll cost you a couple hundred bucks, depending on where you live. This is something that can be easily avoided with seamless gutter installation.

Prevent Blockages

In addition to saving time and money, seamless gutter installation also helps you prevent blockages. Pipeline blockage isn’t something to take lightly. If left unattended for too long, this problem can lead to significant problems down the road. In the worst case scenario, you might have to get piping overhauls. 

So, you can see that it’s better to have seamless gutter installation taken care of beforehand. 

Protection From Fire 

Seems a bit far-fetched, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not if you’re someone who lives in an area that is prone to fire. You see, embers from a fire can travel a far distance. If they reach the dry leaves or other debris stuck to your gutter, it can easily ignite. 

Gutter guards serve as a physical barrier between your house and the fire and protect you from it. On a side note, they even increase the value of your house. 

What Are The Different Types of Gutter Available? 

Alright, so now that you know why seamless gutter installation is important, you need to be aware of the fact that you have multiple options to choose from. When having seamless gutters installed, you must remember that each of the available options serves a different purpose and has varying functions. Let’s dive into what these types are and learn more. 

Half-Round Gutters

These are one of the more traditional types of gutter that are installed in homes built in the 1960s using brick or other similar materials. These gutters generally have a five to six-inch width. They come in a semicircular design and have curved lips. Due to this design, they also feature round downspouts and are easy to clean and maintain. 

K-Style Gutters

K-style gutters are more modern than the previous one. However, they still have the same five to six-inch width. The only difference is that these gutters tend to feature a rectangular downspout. In addition, they can be directly installed on the fascia boards. A hammer and some nails are the only things you need to get the job done.

Custom Fascia Gutters

These gutters, as the name suggests, are custom-built just for your house and are perfect for residential roofing. However, installing these gutters isn’t really a DIY job. You’ll need the help of a professional. 

The installation professional will work with you to create a custom system that’s built of one long piece of aluminum. This aluminum piece is custom-built using your house measurements and roof pitch. Fascia gutters are a bit expensive, but they’ll show the value for money over time. 

Box-Style Gutters

Box-style gutters are generally seven to eight inches wide. These gutters are more suited for industrial or commercial roofing and are built to handle heavy rainfall or debris. However, an installation professional may be able to tailor them for residential properties. 

It’s important to know that box-style gutters can’t be hung on the edge of your roof. They must use a high back section that’s tucked under the roof’s singles, so it’s better to have them installed when the property is under construction. 

Source: Unsplash 

Common Signs Indicating The Need For Seamless Gutter Installation 

The old “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach holds true to a certain extent here. However, you need to remember that gutters are an essential part of your house, just like everything else. 

This means that they’ll age and wear out over time. Most gutter systems will last you a good twenty years or so, but there will come a time when they need to be replaced. So, look for these signs and determine if that time has come. 

Cracks, Splits, or Something Similar 

Cracks or splits are often a telltale sign that it’s time for a seamless gutter installation. You need to know that the point where the two gutter pieces meet is the weakest. That’s where you need to look for signs of damage. If you see anything pulling apart at those points, it probably means that your gutters are close to the end of their life.

However, these cracks or splits may appear elsewhere on the gutters as well. So, give them an inspection now and then. Even if the cracks are small, it’s worth considering repair work for seamless gutter installation. These cracks can go from bad to worse pretty quickly, especially in the winter. 

Rust or Paint Peeling Away

Rust or peeling paint is never a good sign, especially when it comes to gutters. Paint peeling away might not seem like a big problem at first. However, you need to know that most gutters are painted or coated to ensure weatherproofing. If the paint starts to peel off, rain, water, and debris will damage your gutter, causing them to rust. 

So if you see rust flakes the next time you’re mowing the front lawn, it’s time to call a professional. Rust can quickly damage the health of your gutter, and if left ignored for too long, it will cause holes in the pipe. From here, the problem will go from bad to worse pretty quickly as the holes cause water and debris to pour down and damage the siding of your house. 

Gutter Sagging From The Roof 

This is when you need to pick up the phone and start dialing. If you see a sagging gutter, this means they’ve become too heavy for the original support or fasteners to keep them in place. It’s important to know that this can occur due to two reasons:

1. Your gutter might be clogged. This means that water or debris isn’t draining through, and that’s causing your gutter to become too heavy. 
2. The fasteners have worn out. If your gutters are clogged, the fasteners are the ones that could be guilty. If the fasteners wear out, they can no longer support gutters causing them to sag.

Whichever is the case, cleaning or maintenance may only be a temporary fix, and a seamless gutter installation may be needed to get things back on track. 

Water Pools or Dirt Channels 

Sometimes looking at a gutter isn’t enough to determine if there’s a problem. Take a look at the ground directly below the gutter. If you have areas where dirt has been washed away from or water pooling along the edge of your house or near the foundation, it’s time to call the professionals. 

Both dirt channels and water pools mean that your gutters aren’t getting the job done anymore. Water is running through the gutters as opposed to running along them. This is something that should be ignored. Turn a blind eye to this for too long, and the foundation of the house will start to get damaged, and, worst case, your basement will be flooded. 

Basement Flooding 

The purpose of the gutters is to keep water and debris flowing away from the house. However, problems with gutters can lead to damage and rust. This damage and rust can cause the gutter to leak. Next thing you know, there’s water dripping down the siding, and it’s pooling up near the foundations. 

Often, this pooling water can get into your basement, causing it to flood, and that’s a problem you don’t want to have. So, if you notice any of these signs, it’s better to call a professional and have them take a look. In cases of severe damage, a new seamless gutter installation is often the best course of action. 

Source: Unsplash

Should You DIY Gutter Installation?

By now, you’ve probably determined that gutters aren’t something to be taken lightly, and any damage, big or small, needs to be addressed immediately. When it comes to home repair and maintenance, most people think that DIY projects are fun. 

Their inner handyman tends to get the best of them. In some cases, that is absolutely okay, but seamless gutter installation is another ball game altogether. So you might want to give the DIY approach a second thought for the following reasons. 

1. Your Safety 

Let’s say that you’re brave enough to climb up the ladder and reach the roof. Most people don’t take this risk seriously enough, but the truth is that injuries from falling off a roof can happen to anyone. This reason alone is enough to avoid the risk and call a professional. 

2. The Costs 

Most people often think they can save a couple of bucks by buying all the materials on their own. However, that’s rarely the case. Professional roofing and gutter installation service providers can purchase everything at bulk discount prices, and those savings will transition into a lower-priced bill as well. 

3. Material Damage 

Gutters might seem pretty tough. They last for twenty years or so, right? True, but gutters can be easily damaged during installation. The material is durable and can be easily bent or damaged, leading to unnecessary additional costs. 

4. No Seamless Gutter Options

Most people don’t know that seamless gutters are produced using machines that can be brought directly to your house. If you don’t hire a professional, you don’t have the option of seamless gutter installation. 

5. Drainage Direction 

This is one of the most critical aspects of gutter installation and one that can’t be catered to with a DIY approach. Finding out the exact direction your gutter needs to be to ensure proper functioning can be challenging and can cause severe problems if you get it wrong. 

Source: Unsplash 

Why Choose Professional Gutter Installation Instead? 

As mentioned previously, choosing a professional seamless gutter installation is the best decision to protect your house from rain or debris and keep things flowing smoothly. Using a professional service can help ensure that all the gutters are installed exactly as they should be and are functioning properly. 

At Roof Care, we take pride in providing exterior solutions that not only protect your house but improve its appearance as well. Our experts can install seamless gutters, box gutters, half-round gutters, and anything else you might need. 

We’re a family-owned business that has been operating since 2009, and we can be certain that our seamless gutter installation is best in all of Longview, TX, and nearby areas. 

The Bottom Line 

Gutters are an essential part of your and must never be overlooked. Any damage to the gutter, big or small, can make things go from bad to worse pretty quickly. When choosing to install new gutters, different options are available, however, choosing seamless gutter installation is the best decision to make. 

Contact us now and learn how we can help you tackle any gutter or roofing problem you may have.