gutters and downspouts

Downspouts and Gutters have always been an essential component of every home. It redirects the flow of rainwater from the rooftop into the appropriate areas outside the house. But much like most things, these house components may experience wear and tear over time. It is even more of the case with gutters and downspouts, as they’re constantly exposed to water and various weather conditions. And at some point, these components may become ineffective in water flow control, especially if they develop holes. 

With that in mind, checking them regularly is a must, more so repairing damaged gutters and downspouts once they start showing symptoms of damage. And while among the first thoughts that you may have is to DIY the repair process, experts generally advise against doing it by yourself. 

To note, here are four reasons why you should never try to repair your gutters or downspouts on your own.

The Risk Of Injuries Is Relatively High 

One of the most apparent reasons why you shouldn’t try to repair gutters, downspouts, or anything on your roof on your own is the possibility of getting yourself injured. It could be dangerous, especially if you don’t have the necessary skills and expertise when doing roof repair tasks. On top of that, there’s also the risk of falling from great heights and hurting yourself.

Aside from risking your safety, if you did injure yourself during the process, it could result in more expenses such as medical costs.

You May Not Be Well-Versed With The Project 

Read Also; 7 Things To Consider Before Hiring A Plumber

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As simple as it may seem, gutter or downspout repairs involve numerous variables and technical aspects. To be successful in this task, you need to have substantial knowledge about these things.

There are generally three variables that concern gutters and downspouts, including: 

  • Material

Different materials can make up gutters and downspouts. Chances are, yours could be made of aluminum, as they’re one of the most common materials. However, they can also be zinc, copper, vinyl, or steel. Unfortunately, many homeowners can make the mistake of buying the incorrect material, costing them money needlessly. 

  • Size

Gutters and downspouts can also come in different sizes. For instance, residential homes can have 4–inch, 5-inch, 6-inch, or 7-inch gutters. Similarly, downspouts can be 2″ x3″ or 3″ x4″. The ideal size for gutters and downspouts depends on numerous factors, including the roof size and shape and the severity of rainfall in your area. 

  • Style/Shape

Gutters typically come in various shapes, such as half-round, k-shaped, or box-shaped. The shape of your gutters will decide what shape your downspouts must be, as the shape of these two components should be the same. 

Having zero know-how of how gutters and downspouts work and their components can cost you money as you might buy the wrong materials for an unreasonably high price. Not to mention you may also void your warranty.

It May Void Your Warranty 

downspouts

Most service providers offer a warranty for their downspout or gutter installation services. And in such cases, this means that if the gutter or downspouts incur damage, the company can offer to fix them for free.  

However, the warranty often comes with terms and conditions. For one, it can only cover damage that resulted from a catastrophic, unavoidable event or natural phenomenon, including old age, weather conditions such as hurricanes, tornados, and corrosion.  

Unfortunately, damage due to mishandling usually isn’t covered by the agency’s warranty. For that reason, if you attempt to repair the gutters and downspouts by yourself only to fail, you might void the warranty. As a result, you may have to pay for the repair out of your pocket. It would then potentially cost you hundreds of dollars that you could’ve otherwise saved.

Making A Mistake May Worsen The Damage 

In some cases, you can easily spot the issues concerning your gutters and downspouts just by looking around the area. However, there could also be the possibility of other damages that may be tough to spot or pinpoint. And so, the tendency is for you to try to fix the evident problem while neglecting the more pressing issue. 

For instance, you might not realize that your plumbing system was affected by the broken gutter’s inability to redirect rainwater away from your house. As a result, the foundations of your home may incur further damage, resulting in even more expenses. For that reason, it’s best to rely on professionals as they have the necessary tools and knowledge to thoroughly inspect the condition of your gutters and downspouts, including other components in your house that may have been affected.

Final Words 

Generally, it is not advisable to repair gutters and downspouts yourself, especially if you aren’t that familiar with how roof repair works. This is especially since the consequences and risks can be significant, and not to mention, it could cause further damage to your home. 

And as such, it’s always better to call professionals for this job, especially if the repair cost is covered by your warranty.

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