Gutters, like most other parts of your home’s exterior, are vulnerable to damage caused by various sources. In today’s post, gutter and roofing contractor Genesis Roofing shares a look at the common causes of gutter damage and what you can do to prevent them.
Hail Damage
The impact from hailstones can result in small dents and sometimes punctures. This is common on galvanized steel gutters, which, fortunately, is repairable. While it is impossible to prevent hailstones from hitting your roof and gutters, you can invest in gutters made of more durable materials like stainless steel or copper to increase its resistance to dents.
Snow
There are two ways snow can damage your gutters. The first is when snow fills the gutter troughs and weighs it down, resulting in crooked gutters. Worse, the gutters can be pulled to the ground, which will require emergency repairs from your gutter and roof replacement contractor. This is preventable by regularly inspecting your gutters and removing snow and debris as needed.
The second is ice dams, which are formed when insufficient attic insulation raises the roof temperature and melts the snow on the rooftop. The melted ice then refreezes as it reaches the roof’s edge, which eventually forms an ice dam. In addition to the damage it can cause to the roof, refreezing water can increase pressure on the gutter troughs. You can prevent ice dams by making sure the attic is properly insulated, and by investing in heated gutter covers.
Standing Water
Standing water is rainwater that stays in the gutter troughs instead of flowing towards the downspouts. If left for a long time, standing water can result in corrosion, and may encourage insect growth. Standing water is caused by an incorrect slope, which can be fixed by replacing the gutter hangers. Sometimes the gutter troughs may be bent out of shape, in which case, it needs to be corrected by your gutter contractor.
Genesis Roofing is your leading provider of gutter and roof repair services. Give us a call at (515) 202-1667. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Des Moines, IA, and surrounding communities.
