Gutter Repairs That Can Help A Sagging Gutter Trough

Gutters are often made of metal so they last a long time. However, your gutters might need repairs at some point in their lifetime. Water is heavy, and all that weight can cause your gutters to sag. Sagging happens when fasteners come loose, and once sagging develops, it escalates as the fasteners get weaker and weaker. Here's a look at how a residential gutter repair service might deal with sagging gutters.

Find The Reason For Loose Fasteners

Fasteners usually attach to the fascia board under the roof. One reason the fasteners can come loose is that the board starts to rot. It's fairly common for fascia boards to rot, especially if you've had problems with clogged gutters in the past. The gutter repair company will probably recommend replacing the rotted board so the new fasteners have strong wood that can support the weight of the gutters.

Fasteners can also back out of the wood or break due to age and the weight of the gutters. In those cases, the repair person will replace the bad fasteners. They may also check all the other fasteners to make sure they are secure and have a low risk of coming loose.

Choose The New Fasteners And Install Them

If your gutters are old, you might have spike fasteners that come loose more easily than newer fasteners. Once they come loose, they usually have to be replaced, since pounding them back in isn't a permanent fix. The gutter repair company might recommend updating all the fasteners, especially if several are loose, or if you deal with loose fasteners frequently.

Adjust The Slope Of The Trough

When the new hangers or fasteners are installed, the repair person is careful to position them so the trough has a slight slope that allows rain to flow through the trough quickly and drain in the downspout using gravity. If the slope isn't just right, water will stay in the trough, and that contributes to sagging and leaking.

Check For Other Problems

Gutter problems are usually easy to spot since you can see inside the gutters. The repair person may check for rusted spots and areas along the seams where leaks are developing. The service may also examine the downspout to make sure it isn't clogged and that it drains water away from the foundation. Having gutters that work properly can save your home from expensive foundation damage, so when you notice your gutters sagging or leaking, call a gutter repair company without delay so your home is protected.