If your gutter system has leaks in it, your first inclination may be to get out the ladder and try to repair it yourself, but that may be the wrong decision to make. There are numerous do-it-yourself (DIY) projects a property owner could focus on but repairing/replacing gutters is not something you should attempt, especially given the risk associated with working from heights. Also, the gutter system is installed using a very specific set of measurements to ensure proper drainage and if these measurements are not followed, then there is a risk that the water won’t drain properly leading to significant water damage.
Determining The Extent of Your Gutter Problems
In order to determine the extent of your gutter problems you will need to need to hire a firm that specializes in gutter repairs. When you have identified those firms you can have them take a look at your gutters. Based on that assessment the determination can be made to see whether repairs to worn and torn gutter components makes better economic sense than a total replacement.
When the gutter expert has completed their assessment, they will come back to you with their findings and recommended course of action. After reviewing the feedback you will need to make a decision on whether to move forward. While it may seem like a good option to take a wait and see approach with the gutter repairs, you could be asking for trouble over the long-term.
If water is not properly draining from the gutter, the water could seep into your roof and side of the home which may lead to water damage and the onset of mold. Even if the water is flowing from the gutters, if the water is not diverted in the right direction there could be a massive pool of water forming that could weaken your foundation. This is why a wait and see approach is not an option when you are dealing with foundations. It would be in your best interest to move ahead with the gutter repair/replacement.
Financing The Cost Of Gutter Repairs/Replacement
If you have the cash on hand to pay for the repairs or replacement then you can simply move forward with that work, otherwise you may need to take out a loan to cover the costs. What you cannot do is have an unlicensed professional do the work in the hopes of saving money. An unlicensed individual may not do a satisfactory job and you will be out of the money paid. But a more serious problem is your property insurance may not cover you for hiring unlicensed individuals to work on your gutters. You have to deal with a licensed gutter expert who can take care of everything for you at an affordable price.
Your gutters are an integral part of your home so you need to make sure it is working properly or turn it over to individuals that specialize in that area. If you follow these suggestions then you should be able to mitigate some of the challenges that are associated with gutters.
A must read comprehensive blog. Thank you for sharing your informative article. I am impressed with the detailed idea and forecasting future gutter problems posed here.