How to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Gutters

Gutters play a vital role in protecting your foundation, basement, landscaping, roofing, and siding from damaging moisture intrusion. By directing water away from your home, gutters and downspouts safeguard your biggest investment from harm. Just like other components on your home exterior, gutters must be maintained in order to keep them in good working order so they can do their important job of keeping your exterior’s primary enemy at bay—water. 

Read on to gain insight into simple maintenance tips you can implement to keep your gutters performing well, which will prolong their lifespan. 

Gutter Care to Maximize Their Longevity

Gutters come in a variety of different materials from aluminum to vinyl and even copper. Seamless aluminum gutters are a popular choice among homeowners, and they typically last about 20 years when they are installed properly and maintained well throughout their life. 

Here are some tips on how to care for your gutters to get the most out of them for the longest period of time: 

1. Keep Your Gutters Clean—Particularly in the Fall

Clean gutters allow water to flow freely, decreasing the risk of damage to your gutters and your home. Your gutters should be cleaned each spring and fall, but if you have a lot of trees around your house’s perimeter, you may need to clean them even more often. With all the deciduous trees dropping their leaves and potentially clogging your gutters—fall is a vital time to clean your gutters to ensure their longevity. 

Clean your gutters by either hiring someone to do it (which we recommend) or doing it yourself while giving particular attention to safety precautions. Why? Because most ladder accidents occur at 10 feet or below, and you don’t want to wind up in the emergency room (like 164,000 other people did who climbed ladders this year). Ensure your ladder is not slippery, that the feet work properly, and that they have slip-resistant pads on them. Make sure the ground under your ladder is level and firm, and its base is anchored. 

After carefully climbing your ladder, once your gutters are in reach, scoop out any leaves, debris, animal nests, dirt, or asphalt granules that have made their way into your gutters. Once you have removed everything within reach, descend from the ladder, move it a few feet away, and repeat. This is not the most popular home maintenance task, but it’s needed if you want your gutters to serve you well over their lifespan. 

2. Prevent Clogs with Gutter Guards 

If you aren’t in favor of manually cleaning your gutters twice a year (or hiring someone to do it), then consider installing gutter guards over the opening to your gutters. These handy additions to your gutters contain holes large enough to let water flow into your gutters freely, and small enough to keep dirt, debris, and asphalt granules out of your gutters. Gutter guards also prevent leaves and debris from clogging your gutters so they can work effectively. Simplify your maintenance routine by letting these heavy hitters do the work for you. Worth the investment? Yes! 

There are several different brands of gutter guards. At Safe Harbor, we install industry-leading options including: 

• GutterGlove Guards – Made of stainless steel micro-mesh
• RainDrop Gutter Guards – High performance gutter guards
• E-Z Gutter Guards – For maximum durability and weather resistance 

3. Don’t Put Off Needed Gutter Repairs 

Perform regular gutter inspections and repairs, or hire someone to do these tasks so your gutters stay in top shape. Addressing minor issues prevents major problems with your gutter system. If a small hole appears or a fastener gets loose, have it fixed promptly to save you time and money down the road. If you spot damage such as cracks, holes, or rust, have them repaired immediately. 

4. Ensure Proper Pitch

If your gutters sag or become misaligned, it’s likely due to improper pitch, which keeps water from draining effectively. Twice a year, when you clean your gutters, and after major storms in the area, inspect your gutters to ensure they are pitched correctly toward your downspouts. Maintenance of your gutter system’s pitch and alignment will lengthen the lifespan of your gutters and prolong the need for new gutters, saving you money and time.  

5. Choose a Reputable Contractor for Your Gutter Installation

There are two primary ingredients that contribute to high performance and longevity of your gutter system over its lifespan: the gutters themselves (how they were manufactured), and their quality of installation. Gutters need to be installed by a reputable team of experts with experience. Gutter installation takes specialized knowledge and tools to do the job right. Professionals fit gutter materials specifically to your home for a customized job. They work around any tricky spots in your exterior, ensuring gutters will work properly and channel water away from your house. 

Reliable Gutter Replacement for Your Kansas City Area Home 

While gutter upkeep may seem time-consuming, it’s a vital element of your home maintenance. Your effort pays off by contributing to the longevity of your gutters. When gutters wear out, it’s vital you replace them to avoid foundation issues. Gutters prevent water damage by directing rainwater and melting snow away before it has time to settle in and cause damage like mold, mildew, deterioration, and basement flooding. 

At Safe Harbor Exteriors, we have served thousands of homeowners in Kansas City as seen on many great customer reviews that reflect the quality installation and materials we consistently provide. Learn more about how our gutter services can add beauty to your home while safeguarding it from the elements.