Gutter Repair

There are some tell-tale signs that your rain gutters aren’t working properly: leaking gutters, sagging or hanging gutters, poor drainage, and rusty gutters, just to name a few. These problems can start off small and grow into larger problems over time. Keeping your gutters in tip-top shape ensures continued, effective protection of your home’s siding, flower beds, and foundation.

Rusty Rain Gutters

If your gutters are rusting, it’s likely you have galvanized steel rain gutters. One of the many benefits to seamless aluminum gutters is that they do not rust. Rusty gutters are not just unsightly. They aren’t capturing and displacing rain water properly, and trying to repair galvanized steel gutters is often a losing battle. Don’t believe it when others tell you galvanized steel gutters can be fixed by primer and paint. Once galvanized steel gutters have begun to rust you cannot stop the rust from returning. Even sealing the leaks is a short-term fix, and you will probably have to reseal your gutters every few months. The best move for your pocketbook and your home is to replace rusty gutters with seamless aluminum gutters. Gutters made of other materials like galvanized steel will eventually rust.

Leaking Rain Gutters

If your seamless aluminum gutters are leaking, it’s possible that they simply need a little TLC in the form of cleaning and resealing. It’s important that all debris be removed, which can sometimes be as simple as a rinse or as involved as removing the downspouts. Phillips has tested all the major sealing product types on the market, and we have found that our special sealant works the best in the multitude of conditions your home and gutters endure. With a bit of care from Phillips Gutters, your rain gutters will have as tight a seal as they did when they were first installed.

Gutter sealant around a downspout opening

Overflowing & Clogged Gutters

If you see your gutters overflowing when it rains, it’s likely that your gutters are clogged. The list of gutter clogging debris is lengthy: leaves, limbs, shingles, toys, nests, and rodents, just to name a few. Whatever is small enough to fit inside your rain gutters can eventually clog them. Cleaning out the gutters by removing the debris can sometimes solve an overflowing rain gutter issue. However, be aware that gutters will often need to be resealed after debris has been removed, so don’t be surprised if you spot some leaks afterward. The best way to prevent future clogs is by installing gutter covers over your existing gutter system.

In addition to debris, improper installation can create overflowing gutters. Too few, too small, or poorly placed downspouts can cause gutter systems to back up and overflow. The location, quantity, and size of downspouts are extremely important factors. Every time water turns a corner, it slows down and backs up. If your gutter system doesn’t factor in these elements you could be seeing rainwater overflow from your gutter system. Additionally, you should always make sure you have the right amount of gutters to do the job; Phillips can connect to or add on to existing K-style gutters if needed.

Loose, Falling Down, and Sagging Gutters

If rain gutters are loose, sagging, or falling down, it may be due to one of the following causes. Loose gutter spikes can cause saggy gutter syndrome. As the seasons change, the shifting of the gutters caused by changing weather hollow out the holes where gutter spikes have been inserted. As the spike’s grip on the fascia begins to loosen, so will your rain gutter installation.

Hidden hanger brackets, another means of attaching gutters to the home, is Phillips’ preferred method. However, even gutter hangers can come loose if the screws used to anchor them into the fascia header, the wood behind the fascia, are too short. Phillips uses longer screws than the industry standard to ensure secure rain gutter installation. We also space our gutter hangers only two feet apart to provide sufficient support during heavy rains. Too much space between gutter hangers is yet another cause of falling gutters.

The number one reason for falling downspouts is improperly securing the downspout straps into the brick mortar. To keep a downspout in place, it must be secured to the side of the home with straps. It is important to secure straps to the brick, not the mortar between bricks, because it creates a more dependable, enduring hold. Mortar deteriorates over time causing downspouts to spring leaks, pull away from the home, or even fall down..

Do You Have Hail Damage?

Hail damage to gutters is typically easy to see, but only if you know where to look. The effects of hail on rain gutters can be seen in the form of dings or indentations. Depending on the hail’s direction, these dings could be on the outside of the gutters as well as the bottom (if the hail fell straight down). Unless the hail has punched holes in your guttering, which is possible, hail damage affects the look of the gutters more than the functionality. However, every homeowner should be aware that home insurance companies will pay for replacing gutters as well as roofs that have experienced hail damage. You don’t have to live with hail damaged gutters simply because it hasn’t impacted the functionality of your gutter system.

Get a Gutter Repair Quote Today!

Phillips Gutters understands that rain gutter systems need care just like any other kind of investment. We will help you identify problems and correct them. Call us today or use the online form to request a FREE quote.