Many homeowners are interested in replacing their gutters themselves. While this may seem like a good idea, it is not always the best option for everyone.
It’s important to know what you’re getting into before deciding to take on such a big job.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks of repairing and replacing your own gutters!
Replacing Gutters Yourself vs Hiring a Professional
While many homeowners are capable of doing the work themselves, it’s important that you know what you’re getting into and how much time and effort is required.
When hiring a professional to replace your gutters, there will be some additional costs involved for materials like gutter guard or leaf protection systems.
These products may reduce problems with clogged gutters or reduce the frequency of having to clean them, but they will also add an additional cost.
Before deciding whether you’d like to do it yourself or hire a professional, consider how much time and effort is involved in replacing your own gutter system.
Some homeowners choose not to go through with doing their own work because while materials may be inexpensive, the time required to get everything done is not.
While it is possible to replace your own gutters, you will probably be better off hiring a professional.
When working with professionals on such as big job as replacing gutter systems, homeowners can expect:
- Personalized Service and Advice
- Free Estimates- Prompt Scheduling for Replacement or Installation
- Professional Installation
- Clean Up After the Job Is Done
- Quality Workmanship With Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Replacing your own gutters is a much better option because you can do all of this yourself for little to no money.
When deciding whether or not to replace your own gutter system, consider how long it would take and if there are any other jobs that you can do at the same time.
If it’s something you’re interested in doing, make sure to find a good tutorial online for how to replace your own gutters.
Importance of Gutters
Gutters are a very important part of any home. They serve the purpose of protecting your roof, foundation and exterior walls from water damage.
A poorly installed gutter system can end up costing you thousands in repairs! Not to mention potential liability issues if someone is injured while working on your property. If this happens, you will be held responsible for any damages.
Gutters are also important because they will help keep your home insulated, which can save you hundreds on your energy bills each year!
If the insulation in your attic is damaged it could cost thousands to replace and repair. Your shingles might also be at risk if gutters aren’t properly installed or maintained, leading to costly repairs.
If gutters are left undone, the water will just run off your roof and damage other parts of your home along the way!
If you have clogged or broken downspouts, it could cause even more serious issues like foundation problems because of excess water buildup surrounding your house.
Installing Gutters Yourself is NOT a Good Idea
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to save some money by doing the job yourself, but it’s also important to know when you should call in a professional.
There are benefits and drawbacks of both options so weigh your choices carefully before deciding what is best for you!
Gutters play an integral role in protecting your home from water damage, ensuring that insulation remains high quality throughout all seasons of the year.
Gutters should be replaced every 15 to 20 years or so because they can get worn down and damaged over time by regular exposure to harsh elements like rainwater and ice buildups during the winter months.
Other Considerations for Replacing Gutters Yourself
There are several other factors that homeowners must consider before deciding whether they should replace their rain gutters themselves or hire a professional. For example:
- How much experience do you have with this type of work? If it’s your first time, you may want to consider hiring a professional.
- What are your long term plans? Do you plan on selling the house in the next few years or do you plan on staying for many more years to come?
- If you’re only planning on living there temporarily, it might be better if you hire someone else to replace your gutters.
- How much time do you have to dedicate toward completing the job?
- The more work that needs to be done, the longer it will take and you might not want to spend your weekends working on this type of project.
- However, if you’re only doing a few simple repairs or replacing posts for example, then it’s probably totally fine to do it yourself.
- How much money do you have available for this project? If cash is tight, then hiring a professional might be the better option because you’re not spending extra on materials and time to get everything done.
Warranty on Gutter Materials
When hiring a professional, they should offer their customers a warranty on both the materials and labor. This is especially important in case there are issues with either later down the road.
There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re going to have to pay more money because of poor workmanship or faulty materials that aren’t holding up over time!
By investing in a warranty, you can rest assured that everything will be handled professionally and with the best quality workmanship possible.
What Comes With Gutter Warranties
Different companies offer their customers different types of warranties on the materials and labor they use. Depending on where you live, these can range anywhere from one year to lifetime coverage for your gutters!
You also need to know exactly what is covered by this warranty before signing any paperwork or making a purchase.
- What are some examples of items that might be covered?
- How long is the warranty in effect for and what are some conditions that might void a claim?
You need to know these details before buying or signing anything. If you have any questions, make sure they get answered beforehand because it could be too late once your gutters are already installed!
Reasons to Replace Your Gutters
Gutters are an important part of protecting your home from water damage by funneling rainwater away from the foundation and exterior walls to prevent potential problems like mold or insulation deterioration caused by excess moisture in the air.
There are a couple of reasons why your gutter already needs replacement:
- Your gutters are made of plastic and have been in place for 20 years.
- This means that they’re at least two decades old, which is almost ancient by the time you factor in how quickly products tend to become outdated!
- It’s definitely better to replace them sooner rather than later so your roof doesn’t suffer damage from leaks or overflows.
- There are cracks in your gutters that have been patched up time and again.
- If you’ve already had holes or tears fixed only to see them reappear shortly after, this is a sign that it’s probably time to replace the entire gutter system because metal ones last much longer than plastic replacements.
Signs that Your Gutter Is Damaged
Gutters protect your house and yard from the harmful effects of water damage, which can include rotting of wood siding, damp floors in basements and crawl spaces, erosion around your foundation.
However, if the gutters on your home are not installed or maintained properly, they can be useless in preventing water damage.
The most clear sign that your gutter is becoming damaged is water streaking down your exterior wall or collecting around the bottom of your foundation. If this is happening, there are several potential causes.
Debris Buildup – Debris such as leaves and twigs can collect in gutters and prevent the flow of water smoothly into drains.
This means that instead of exiting your downspout smoothly, water is rushing in faster than it can leave.
This causes rainwater to overflow the gutter and run along your side of the house at a higher velocity than normal, eroding away your exterior paint or siding.
If you notice debris in your gutters, clear them with a long-handled tool such as a leaf rake. Avoid using a ladder unless you are confident in your experience and ability to safely do so.
Worn Out Gutters – Old gutters can become torn, which leads to rips that stay open even when there is no rain. After time, the water will start seeping into these types of flaws. If this is happening, it is best to replace the gutter entirely.
If your gutters are torn or damaged, you can hire a professional contractor who has experience replacing gutters. This type of project is time-consuming and requires special tools, so hiring someone with expertise will save you time and frustration.
Malfunctioning Equipment – If there is any machinery involved in the removal or installation of gutters, it can become faulty over time. Malfunctioning equipment is one of the most common causes of problems with your gutter system.
If you notice pooling water around your foundation, malfunctioning gutters may be to blame. In this case, either fix the existing equipment or replace it entirely if necessary.
What Can Be Done with Old Gutters?
Some people will choose to have their gutters removed from the house and sold. This is a great option if you have someone who wants them or needs some extra cash!
If not, they can always be recycled as scrap metal since plenty of companies pay for old materials that aren’t being used anymore rather than sitting around in a landfill somewhere.
In conclusion: Replacing gutters can bring additional value to your home if they are done correctly with quality materials that will last a long time.
If you have experience, the materials available and enough cash on hand to pay for it all, then go ahead and replace your gutters yourself!
However, if you aren’t sure or don’t have the time or cash available to complete this project yourself.
