You suspect your gutters are failing. You may have an older home, or you may have just purchased a fixer and a home inspector has determined that your home needs a gutter replacement. But how do you start the process? This handy guide will help you tackle the many complexities of a gutter replacement project.
Step One: Determine whether you will tackle the project yourself or hire a gutter installer.
For some homeowners, this will be easy to determine. You may already know that you lack the proper experience to take on a gutter replacement. If this is you, skip to Step Two.
If you are handy and are considering tackling a gutter replacement yourself, The following pointers will help you make an informed decision.
Perceived Value
Perceived value is a person’s perception of the merit of a product or service. Consider “perceived value” when deciding whether to take on a large home repair project such as a gutter replacement. If you are considering doing your own gutter replacement, you likely believe that you will save money by doing so.
When factoring in gutter replacement costs, it is important to consider many factors. Be sure to total all your expenses before making your decision.
When factoring all your costs, Include lost time at work and the cost of tools and supplies necessary for a gutter replacement project. Consider that you will need to arrange delivery of all the gutter installation materials needed for the project. Gutter material deliveries can be expensive.
Be sure to include all the time needed to plan for a DIY gutter replacement. This includes time spent preparing for the project, product research, installation research, purchase of materials, travel time, gas, and material prep time. Then calculate the time needed to do the actual gutter replacement project. As a novice, it will likely take more time than it would for the pros to tackle it.
After the project is finished, be sure to calculate time and costs for clean-up, waste disposal, and other incidental items. Also factor in margin of error possibilities from lack of experience, which can lead to costly mistakes. Injuries can occur from working on a ladder for long periods of time without previous experience.
Tools and Supplies
You will need many tools for a gutter replacement job. It is recommended that you add up the cost of all materials and supplies before you decide to tackle this project yourself.
Some of the tools needed for new gutters include these four types of saws: skill saw, jigsaw, chop saw, and table saw. You will also need a cordless drill and bit set, tool belt, router, and hammer. There may be other tools needed as well, depending on the type of gutters you decide to purchase.
When all of the above has been calculated, you may opt to hire a professional for your gutter replacement. If this is the case, read below.
Step Two: Hire a gutter installer.
Hiring a professional gutter installation company is usually the best way to go when starting a gutter replacement project. Here are several reasons why:
Experience
Nothing compares to the years of experience seasoned gutter installation experts have. They have likely “seen it all” through their years in the gutter industry. They have wide experience with all kinds of gutter products and installations, and they already know how to safely remove gutters from your house and properly dispose of them. Gutter installers are also already conditioned to work safely on tall ladders for hours at a time. They know how to work expeditiously and get your gutter installation project done fast.
Professionalism
A good professional gutter installer will have the knowledge, experience, custom skills, and proper tools for a successful and seamless gutter replacement. This combined skill set ensures a smooth, seamless project from start to finish.
Licensing and Insurance
A good gutter replacement company will have the necessary licensing and insurance in place, ensuring that your gutter installation will be protected from liability and costly mistakes throughout the entire process.
Other qualities to look for in a gutter installer include work ethic, excellence, discipline, commitment, and integrity. Make some calls and talk to several professional gutter installers before you choose one. These qualities should be evident when you call about your gutter replacement project.
After you have done all your necessary due diligence, you can have confidence in making an informed decision about whom to entrust your gutter replacement project to, for a result you will be happy with for many years to come.
To talk to The Gutter Specialist about your gutter replacement project, call (860) 876-2227.
Eventually, all gutter systems reach the end of their useful lives and need replacement. When that time comes, your gutter installer should be able to provide expert guidance on product choices, materials, the installation process, and more.
Here are six important considerations to make sure you get the best results from your gutter installation.
Gutter Materials
Ask gutter installers what materials they offer and the advantages and costs of each type of material. To get the most from your investment, it is important to prioritize durability over looks. That said, there are gutter material options that are both good-looking and long-lasting. For more information on material choices available in the Northeast, see our article on gutter material options.
Schedule and Timeline
Installing new gutters can be labor-intensive and dangerous, and it’s critical that the work is done properly to avoid problems down the road. That’s why you want to hire an expert gutter installer with years of solid experience who can complete the installation quickly and efficiently.
An accomplished gutter installer should also be able to correct any faults in your existing gutter system to make sure you’re getting a more effective new system. Don’t forget to ask your installer how long the process will take. Unexpected issues and delays can occur with any installation, but a professional will know how to mitigate most of them.
Reputation
When you’re ready to hire a gutter installer, look at the company’s reviews on Google and Facebook to see how customers commented on the service, professionalism, and quality of the work. In addition, check resources like Angi and the Better Business Bureau for awards and business ratings. This due diligence will help ensure that the gutter installer is legitimate and has a well-established reputation. Of course, best of all is a referral from people you know who were happy with an installer they hired. You can then even check out the work.
Warranty or Guarantee
Your gutter installers should guarantee their work, preferably up to 10 years. Without this, you may be looking at costly repairs down the road. The best gutter installers will offer this important protection.
Existing Issues
If your home is experiencing any problems that could negatively impact the project, let your gutter installer know at the time of the estimate. Unexpected problems can add unnecessary delays and costs. Communicating known issues beforehand allows your gutter installer to quote and scope the project properly.
Budget
Before hiring a gutter installer, determine a budget you’re comfortable with. Keep in mind that products and materials impact the overall cost of the installation. Knowing your budget ahead of time will help the gutter installer offer a product that stays within your budget.
These key considerations will help you choose the right gutter installer and the right type of gutter product for your home. Taking the time to hire a reputable, experienced gutter installer will ensure great service, a great end product, and years of reliable rainwater protection for your home.
Circumstances vary around gutter systems, so every situation is different. In certain cases, delaying gutter replacement could compromise roofing or the foundation, causing further damage to the property and creating other problems.
If you can wait, though, the summer and fall seasons are a great time to tackle gutter replacement. It rains less in summer and fall than in the spring. Even when it does rain in the summer, warmer temperatures dry off rainwater more quickly. This means shorter delays for your project.
The spring season is a great time for assessing the current condition of your gutters. Since showers are frequent during this time of the year, it is likely that your gutter system will take on large quantities of water. This offers a great opportunity for you to test out your gutters to see if they are still capable of draining water efficiently. You can also use this season to plan for gutter installation. Although the job is usually a straightforward process, there should still be sufficient planning before starting the project.
Several factors determine the best time for gutter replacement. Depending on the reason or how urgent the situation, sometimes gutters need to be replaced sooner. The timing depends on your purpose. Below are some factors that will help you decide when you should install new gutters.
New Roof Installation
A great time to install new gutters is when a roof is also being replaced. If your roof has reached the end of its lifespan, you might want to check your gutters as well. It might be time to replace those, too. Having brand new gutters will ensure that they are in the best shape to protect your new roof from water damage.
Selling Your Home
Gutters may not be the most significant factor in curb appeal, but they can certainly make a big difference to the appearance of your home’s exterior. And, sometimes, these minor details can make all the difference to potential homebuyers. So, if you are planning on selling your home soon, you should check your gutters for any noticeable damage like hail marks, cracks or discoloration. Make sure that the sections aren’t pulling away. It’s also important to fix any gutter issues before putting your home on the market.
Mold Problems
The presence of mold in any part of your home can be sign of gutter deterioration. If you have any mold conditions in your home, have your gutter system inspected by a licensed professional. You may have unknown leaks that are allowing water to enter your home. They can assess the condition of your gutters and recommend the best approach.
Rusty Gutters
If your gutter material is metal, you should look for signs of corrosion. Metal gutters typically get rusty as they age, and this can create small pinhole leaks and large holes over time. Depending on the extent of damage, you may only need to replace one section or your entire gutter system.
Preparing for the Wet Season
Your gutter system is critical to keeping rainwater away from your roof. If your gutters have already been showing signs of damage or deterioration, you should have them replaced before the wet season arrives.
Who Should Perform Gutter Installation?
Some homeowners are confident in tackling a DIY gutter installation, but it is usually recommended to leave the job to experienced professionals. This will ensure the best outcome. Remember that your gutters are crucial to protecting your home from water damage. Any mistake during the installation process could compromise its quality and performance. To ensure that your gutter system can really withstand the elements, hire a professional.
Gutters and downspouts work tirelessly year-after-year to channel storm water away from homes. And although yours may have contributed decades of faithful, mostly trouble-free service, every installation has an expiration date.
Here are some common signs that your gutters may be approaching the end of their useful life.
Cracking
Cracked gutters can result in water leakage in unwanted places. While larger cracks can be plainly visible, smaller ones may only become apparent during rainfall. Regardless of the size, cracks defeat the purpose of a drainage system and need to be taken seriously. Individual cracks may be repaired, but extensive cracking is a reason to consider replacement.
Seam Stress
Average gutters are vulnerable at the seams where two sections meet. Both leaks and separations are common, with each type of failure leading to any number of undesirable outcomes, whether outside or inside the home.
Peeling Paint
Malfunctioning gutters can ruin a perfectly good paint job. Check your exterior siding for any paint that has bubbled up or peeled away due to excess moisture. If you find an area of compromised paint, be sure to check the condition of the nearest gutter. You may have a leak.
Rot
When failing gutters allow rain to cascade over the siding of a home, exterior wood trim elements like window sills and door jambs become moisture soaked as well. When this happens, drywall can also damage the inside of your home.
Mold
Mold can be a serious condition that affects the health of the inhabitants of a home. Water accumulating near a foundation can leak into the basement and cause unhealthy mold growth. If you discover mold in a formerly dry area, damaged gutters are the likely cause.
Gutters perform important work to protect structures, but when they show any signs of the above conditions, it may be time to look at a new installation.
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