3 Reasons Why Gutters Sag
If one or more of your gutters have started to sag and hang low, then you need to work out what to do. Sagging gutters can't do their job, and you might need to have them repaired or replaced.
Why might your gutters be sagging?
1. Your Gutters Are Blocked
If you don't clean your gutters regularly, then dirt and debris can collect in them. These materials can create blockages. For example, leaves and dirt can blow in the gutters and get stuck there.
This doesn't just mean that your gutters won't work effectively. While water can't flow through them at the right rate if they have blockages in them, the blockages themselves can also do some damage.
If a blockage is heavy, then it can add so much weight to a gutter that it starts to sag. Plus, rainwater will build up behind the blockage. It will then add more weight to the gutter and make the problem worse.
2. Your Gutters Are Too Small
Your gutters should be the right size to allow rainwater to flow through the system fast. If they are too small, then they might not be able to handle heavy rainfall. The water can't move through a gutter that is too narrow fast enough to drain away.
If this happens, then your gutters might fill with some standing or slow-moving water. The gutter might not be strong enough to hold the weight of this water if it is sized incorrectly, so it will start to sag. It won't necessarily spring back into place once the water does eventually drain away.
3. Your Gutters Are Damaged
Gutters sometimes sag or change shape if they are damaged. For example, if your gutters have lost some support screws, then they might hang down in places. This also sometimes happens if your fascias are damaged and can't hold screws firmly in place.
For example, an old wood fascia might start to rot and turn soft. Your gutter supports will be loose and unstable. So, the gutter might move.
Sometimes, gutters that look like they're sagging have actually warped. Their materials might have expanded and contracted in different weather conditions. Over time, this can change the shape of a gutter.
If your gutters are sagging, then call a residential roofing contractor. They can work out where the problem lies and fix it. In some cases, you might simply need them to clean a gutter to stop its sagging. Or, you might need a repair to fix it back in place. If your gutters are too damaged, then you might need to remove and replace them.
Contact a residential roofing contractor in your area to learn more.
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