Gutters play a huge role in protecting our homes from water, weather, and wear-and-tear. It is important to make any repairs necessary to keep them in good condition. If you have sagging gutters, your home can experience a variety of problems.
Gutters can sag for a multitude of reasons. If there is a large buildup of debris in your gutters, water can pool and weigh down the structure. This is one of the main reasons to regularly clean out your gutters. This time of year, they can also sag if water freezes in them, since the heavy ice weighs them down. Did you happen to lean a ladder against them when putting up Christmas lights or doing roof work? That would cause sagging as well. Once you figure out the cause, there are a few ways to fix sagging gutters:
- Fix the Gutter Spike: Remove the loose gutter spikes, and decide if you need to replace them. If they are not threaded, you will need new spikes; if they are, you can reuse ones that are not bent. Thread new spikes into the fascia, and add wood chips dipped in all-weather epoxy to the hole to tightly secure the spikes.
- Fix the Gutter Brackets: Remove the gutter and the screws that hold the bracket to the fascia. Fill the holes with weather-proof exterior caulk. Once dry, drill new holes at the same level as the old ones. Screw in the new brackets and place the gutter back in.
- Fix the Gutter Hangers: Remove the hangers from underneath your shingles or roofing material, and replace damaged hangers with new ones. Reposition the new hangers to spots under the roof that will hold them securely.
When performing any of these repairs, make sure to have someone there to help you, as removing gutters can be dangerous. Better yet, just call Keystone Gutter Helmet and avoid these kind of issues completely. By having a Gutter Helmet protection system, you can prevent many of the problems that cause gutter sagging in the first place.
For more information about Keystone Gutter Helmet’s protection systems in Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill Counties, call 610-372-4383.
