When do I need a professional for gutter repair?

Your gutters work as a safeguard to protect your property from water damage. Regular maintenance can help ensure that they do their job for a long time. If you notice a problem with your gutters, you may be able to fix the problem yourself. So when do you need a professional for gutter repair? We’ll cover a few situations in this article.

Common gutter issues

There are a few primary issues that might happen to your gutter. Some of them you may be able to fix yourself but others are better left to the experts. The below list of issues is ordered from least to most severe to help you decide if you need a professional for gutter repair or if you can attempt a fix on your own.

Clogged gutters

Clogs are the most common problem that happen to gutters. They are practically guaranteed to happen to gutters that aren’t cleaned regularly. Depending on if the clog is in the eavestrough (horizontal gutter on the roof) or downspout (vertical pipe from the roof to the ground)

Eavestrough guttering you can usually clean yourself. But make sure to take proper safety precautions. If you don’t have the right equipment or are worried about getting on a roof or ladder, you’re better off calling someone to do the job for you. Be especially careful on multi-level buildings.

Downspouts tend to be significantly harder to clear and often require special tools. If you have a plumbing snake or a hard wire you can feed through the spout you might be able to clear it out. Otherwise, the pipe may need to be disassembled to have the clog removed and then reassembled.

Leaking and sagging gutters

Small leaks in gutters may not be serious and might be more of an annoyance than a major concern. These leaks should be checked as soon as you can to see where they are and how severe they are. Leaks may be a result of a clog, but they could also be due to roofing problems. If water is getting into the property because of a leak, it’s a much more serious problem that you should have a professional handle if you can’t fix it on your own.

Sagging gutters happen when there is a dip or too much weight in a particular portion of the guttering. If the water is still being diverted properly, sags might not be particularly serious. However, if left unchecked they can stop water going where it should or even cause a breakage at the sagging point.

Incorrect gutter slope

The slope (or fall) of your gutter allows the water to flow towards the downspout and leave your property at proper drainage points. If the slope is incorrect, the water might not drain like it should. This can lead to areas with standing water where mould and insects can accumulate.

If the gutter is still working for the most part, this might not lead to long-term damage. However, the reason this is so far down on the list is because the fix is challenging. The gutter slope requires careful precision to correct to ensure that it is right and the gutters work as they should. Improper slope can also lead to serious gutter damage or even breakage in some situations.

Check out the video below for more information on gutter slope.

Damaged gutters

Noticeable cracks or other damage that you can see on the gutters can lead to serious issues. Often, the broken portion will need to be replaced and you’ll want to have these gutter repairs performed by a professional.

Doing this before the damage gets too bad can prevent major issues. Since the main job of gutters is to divert water and prevent water damage, broken gutters can stop this process. Water damage can cause issues from mould to structural damage and can cost thousands of dollars to fix in some scenarios.

Addressing damaged gutters as soon as possible can significantly help your property and save you money in the long run so we suggest getting in touch with an expert as soon as you can if you notice damaged gutters.

What if I need help with gutter repair?

If you’d like help with gutter repair, get in touch with an expert to ensure the job will be done properly. If you’re in the Southland region, get in touch with us here at Nexus. Our team can help with gutter cleaning using the innovative SkyVac technology for quick, efficient, affordable cleaning. We can also assist with gutter repairs like replacing gutter sections or correcting gutter slope. Get in touch with us today for more information or fill out the form below to get a free quote.