Stainless steel gutters cost about two to three times as much as other gutter materials, therefore, before you shell out the big bucks, you want to know how long stainless steel gutters will last.
How Long Do Stainless Steel Gutters Last?
When properly installed and maintained, stainless steel gutters can last up to 50 years or more because they’re made from one of the most solid, strong, durable, and highly rust-resistant materials available. Stainless steel gutters provide your home with impressive protection against water damage, while at the same time maintaining their beautiful glossy sheen and curb appeal. Next to copper and zinc, stainless steel gutters are some of the longest-lasting.
In addition to outstanding resistance to corrosion and rust, withstanding dents, and lasting for decades, stainless steel gutters are one of the lower maintenance gutters. With most gutters, when debris collects, it can retain moisture which leads to corrosion, rust, and leaking. This doesn’t happen with stainless steel gutters. Even if some moist leaf litter sits in the gutter, the stainless steel won’t rust.
Even though you’ll be paying a hefty sum upfront for stainless steel gutters, you won’t have to replace them or deal with repair costs like you would with vinyl or aluminum gutters that only last about 20 years. And when you have to replace vinyl or aluminum, you also have to factor in the removal and installation costs.
How to Maximize the Lifespan of Stainless Steel Gutters
Over the lifespan of your home, stainless steel gutters can be very cost-effective. But since they’re expensive, you’ll want to know how to maximize their lifespan so you can get the most bang for your buck. Here are the keys to increasing the lifespan of stainless steel gutters:
1. Select the Correct Gutter Size and Profile
- Discuss gutter sizes and profiles with your contractor.
- Selecting the proper gutter size and profile is critical to the efficiency of the gutter.
- If you live in an area that gets strong downpours or heavy snowfall, you’ll want larger than average size gutters so that water won’t overflow from the gutters. Stainless steel gutters are available in 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-inch widths.
- The profile is important based on the pitch and angles of your roof. Stainless steel gutters are available in box, K-style, and half-round profiles.
- Also, discuss the gutter components. A round downspout is more efficient at allowing water to flow than a square or rectangular downspout.
- A professional installer will know which size and profile are best for your local area.
2. Installation
- The lifespan of your stainless steel gutters will be maximized when they’re installed properly.
- Unlike a weekend DIY project, installing stainless steel gutters is a job only an experienced professional can do correctly.
- A pro will expertly solder the seams and joints. Correctly sealed seams and joints will extend the life of your stainless steel gutters.
3. Maintenance
- Clean the gutters twice a year.
- In the fall, clean the gutters after all the surrounding trees have lost their leaves. You want to make sure the gutters are completely clear in preparation for winter rains and snow.
- Clean again in the spring. After the rigors of winter storms, you want to be sure the gutters are clean and all the components, from downspouts to support brackets, are tight and secure.
- After removing debris, use a gentle detergent to clean dirt from the gutters. Rinse well. Avoid abrasive cleaners or chemicals.
- Even though stainless steel gutters are strong enough to withstand the weight of a ladder leaning against it, a ladder standoff allows for the ladder to rest against the roof. Using a standoff prevents scratching the stainless steel and increases the ladder’s stability.
- Inspect the joints, elbows, and brackets. Be sure that all the soldered joints are closed and properly sealed to prevent any leaking. Make sure the support brackets are secure.
- If you don’t have time or don’t want to climb a ladder to reach the gutters, hire a reputable gutter professional to clean and maintain the gutters for you. You can quickly find a reputable gutter cleaner at Spout Gutter Pros.
4. Consider Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are an excellent way to extend the life of your stainless steel gutters. They help prevent clogs – one of the most common problems with any type of rain gutter.
- From fine mesh stainless steel screens to UV-protected foam blocks, gutter guards are available in a wide range of materials and designs.
- Your gutter contractor can guide you as to the best gutter guard based on the weather and the conditions around your home.
- Gutter guards don’t mean zero maintenance – they need to have debris swept off the surface so that water can continue to enter the gutter.
- Pine needles are the biggest culprits and seem to get stuck in almost every type of gutter guard. Your gutter contractor can guide you if your home is near pine trees.
If you’ve decided on stainless steel gutters, you’ve chosen one of the highest quality gutter systems available. And that’s why you’ll want an expert to install them for you. After all, the quality of installation adds to the lifespan of your gutter system. Reputable professional contractors are experienced and understand critical details like the importance of using stainless steel screws and rivets, proper soldering methods, and how to position brackets to provide proper support so the gutters drain properly and don’t sag.
Finding an expert installer can be time-consuming. But Spout Gutter Pros makes it fast and easy to find an installer you can trust. We quickly connect you with reliable and high-quality professionals near you who are experienced stainless steel gutter installers. Also, we vet every contractor in our network to make sure they’re licensed, insured, and reputable.
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No need to worry about how to find the best professional to install your stainless steel gutters. At Spout Gutter Pros, we connect you with the best. Don’t wait, get a free quote now!
