Have your gutters seen better days? Do your gutters leak or clog? If your gutters can't keep water away from your home or are worn and damaged, take a look at what you need to know about new gutter installation and how screens can help to stop backups and solve potential roofing problems.
Why Do You Need New Gutters?
You want to know why your home needs new gutters. More specifically, you want to know why your home needs any type of gutter. Even though gutters may look like roofing accents, these long, thin channels divert water away from your home and help to keep the interior dry. Without gutters (or without gutters that work properly), rainwater and snow/ice melt could stay on your roof, drip down into windows and masonry, or cause ground-level and foundation damage.
So there isn't one universal answer to this question. Different homes need new gutters for different reasons. Age is a primary factor in the decision to replace or upgrade a home's gutters. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), galvanized steel gutters have an average lifespan of 20 years. Vinyl gutters may last slightly longer, with a life expectancy of 25 or more years. Aluminum models may keep water away from your home for between 20 and 40 years and copper can last for more than half-a-century.
Even though age is a main reason to replace gutters, it's possible your home could need a new installation sooner than you expect. Significant wear from age combined with the climate/weather or poor maintenance can cause problems. If your gutters have noticeable damage (such as holes, cracks, or other breaks), leak, or constantly clog, you may need a replacement.
Should You Install Gutter Screens?
New gutters will reduce or eliminate leaks and clogs immediately after installation. But your gutters won't stay debris-free forever. A severe storm or a windy day could force leaves, dirt, and more into the gutters. This could damage the interior of the gutters or cause clogs. A clogged gutter won't divert water away from the home—leaving your siding, masonry, windows, or foundation open to damage.
Like the screens on your windows, a gutter screen stops larger pieces of debris, animals, and insects from entering the area. Rainwater and melting snow/ice can freely flow through the holes in the screens and into your gutters. But everything else will stay on the outside of the screen. If your gutters clog often, are located under trees, or you have critter and creature pest problems, screens can prevent potential clogs before they start.
Yes, construction workers and contractors spend some time planning and designing. They spend time sourcing materials and giving quotes. But to most construction workers and contractors, the best part of the job is the build itself. These are people who typically enjoy working with their hands and creating things, so when a building or structure comes together in the end, they find it very satisfying.
if you can relate to this feeling, then you might make a good contractor yourself! We recommend that you read a few articles on this blog to get a better sense of this industry, and then perhaps look into training programs and internships.