It’s a story told over and over again – you walk outside of your door, look up, and see your gutters pulling away from your home. This can be a bit of a shock since most of us don’t think twice about our gutters. But when this happens, it can be a wakeup call. Today, SPOUT Gutter Pros discusses the causes and fixes for gutters pulling away from the house.

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Causes of Gutter Separation

Gutters are quiet heroes. When it rains, your gutter system collects the water and diverts it away from your home. This may not seem like a big deal, but without it, your foundation, walls, exterior cladding, yard, landscaping, and more can be susceptible to major damage.

It’s easy to forget about your gutter system. One day, however, you may find yourself looking at separated gutters. But what exactly causes this to happen?

Let’s take a look at common issues.

Clogging

Over time, especially if not routinely inspected and cleaned, gutters can collect a lot of debris and standing water. This can go unnoticed for a while, until one day the gutters start to sag. The immense weight of debris will eventually cause the system to pull away from the structure, resulting in separation (as well as the gutters possibly falling away from a house).

As far as preventative measures go, it’s vital to not ignore your gutter system. Plan a periodic check. Take a look not only at the debris accumulation but also the overall condition of the various components that make up your gutters.

Also, schedule routine cleanings. There’s a lot of stuff that can get clogged in there – branches, leaves, animal nests – and so it pays to keep the path clear. This will also ensure that your gutters are working properly as a water management system. If stuff is blocking the path, then the water has to go somewhere. And that can spell disaster for your property.

Improper Installation

It’s an unfortunate reality, but without correct installation by a knowledgeable specialist, a gutter system can eventually pull away from your home.

Typically, separation is caused by one of two main issues: failure at the connection point (fascia board or soffits) and failure to properly install fasteners. It may be that the fascia board is rotted, and therefore the gutter system can’t be securely fastened to it. And even if the fascia is fine, a gutter installer might not properly use clips, brackets, and spikes.

Whatever the reason, it definitely pays to hire the right company for the job. SPOUT makes it simple. If you’re in need of reliable services, we have your back!

Damage

Last but not least, gutters can start to separate from a structure due to damage.

This can come in several forms, from extreme weather to a falling branch. Heavy storms, ice buildup, and swaying trees hitting your gutters can lead to structural failure. More times than not, this can result in the replacement of gutter sections (especially if the damage is severe).

Of course, there isn’t a whole lot you can do in terms of preventative measures (aside from making sure branches aren’t within striking distance of your gutters). But what you can control is routine inspection, maintenance, and repairs of minor issues. That way, you can decrease the likelihood of much more expensive repairs or replacements down the road.

Fixing Gutter Separation

Okay, so we know the main causes of gutters pulling away from the house. What about actually fixing your separating gutters?

1. Tighten or Replace Fasteners

If your main gutter components – gutter sections, downspouts, joints, and so on – are in working order, it might be as simple as tightening or replacing fasteners.

The fasteners, which include spikes, clips, and brackets, secure the various gutter components to your house. When these get pulled out, it may cause sagging gutters and full separation.

If it’s an issue of spikes, they can sometimes be reinserted (provided the spikes are straight). Threaded spikes are typically recommended. If they aren’t reusable, then longer or wider ones will most likely need to be installed.

Have a problem with hangers? Along with replacing, you might want to opt for repositioning. A different position may provide better support for your gutters. Plus, the original holes might be too big to reattach new hangers. When it comes to brackets, you’ll need to put in a little more work. Along with sourcing replacements, it’s advised to relocate the new brackets and seal the original holes.

2. Replace Fascia or Soffits

In some cases, the issue of separated gutters can stem from rotting fascia boards. A clear indicator, once you’ve repaired any loose or broken fasteners, can be the continued sagging of your gutters.

If you have issues with fascia, it’s best to have a professional take a look. They can determine if you need to replace just certain sections or all of it. After replacing the rotten material with new boards, your gutter system can then be securely fastened to your house.

3. Correct Gutter Pitch

Your gutter sections – the horizontal parts that collect rainwater – need to have the proper pitch or slope in order for the water to flow efficiently to downspouts.

When this slope is off, it can cause standing water. This, coupled with debris buildup, can cause gutters to sag and eventually pull away from mounting points. To check for this issue, use a ladder and hose (or bucket of water). Fill gutters. If there’s standing water, then you most likely have a pitch problem.

To fix it, you’ll need to use a chalk line to measure the pitch from peak to downspout. A simple fix can require bending a hanger or two into the correct position. Other times, it will require removing the gutter section and then rehanging it. If you have seamless gutters, you’ll need to get a hold of a certified gutter contractor to take care of the issue.

Again, we’d like to stress the importance of proper inspection and maintenance. This can save you a lot of future headaches. Keep gutter sections clean and fasteners tightened. And if you feel unsure of what to do, don’t hesitate to contact a gutter company.

We hope, with this information, you’re much better informed on how to deal with gutters that are separating from your home. Whether you decide to tackle it yourself or tap an expert, you now have a working understanding that can help bring clarity to your particular situation.

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