Sagging Gutters: Causes and How to Fix Them

Do you have sagging gutters? They are more than just an eyesore. Gutters have an important job to do. When they are in poor shape, your home and property can sustain damage. Learn about the primary causes of sagging gutters and how you can correct them.

Why Are Gutters Important?

The purpose of gutters is to channel and direct water away from the foundation of your home. Rainwater can cause significant damage to your roof, home interior, and foundation.

The gutters installed along your roofline collect water runoff and direct it into the downspout and away from your house. When gutters become clogged or damaged, they fail to redirect water. Backed-up gutters and increased moisture can cause leaks, mold, and deterioration to your roof and foundation. This can lead to costly damage and make your home unsafe.
Gutters require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. You must clean your gutters periodically to remove old leaves, twigs, and other debris. This allows excess water to flow through the gutters correctly.

What Causes Gutters to Sag?

It’s normal for gutters to begin to sag over time. Gutter sag has four main causes. These are:

• Warped material: The most common material used for gutters are vinyl, aluminum, and steel. Constantly changing temperatures from hot to cold can cause warping of the material as it expands and contracts. When this happens over some time, the gutters can become misshaped and begin to sag.
• Clogged gutters: Failure to clean the build-up of debris from your gutters is the most common cause of gutter sag. Leaves, pine needles, twigs, and more can accumulate in the small space and prevent water from flowing through. The weight of the material trapped in your gutters contributes to the sag. The situation worsens when rain flows off of your roof and has nowhere to go.
• Poor installation: If gutters are installed incorrectly, they are more likely to malfunction or wear out quickly. Hangers and brackets that are too far apart fail to support the gutters and cause too much stress, which causes sag. It’s also possible to use the wrong shape that doesn’t allow water to flow easily through the gutters.
• Wrong size: The size of your gutters is another contributing factor to sagging. Most gutters are five to six inches wide, but some are as narrow as four inches. The size that you require depends on where you live and the expected weather and rainfall.

You can normally repair sagging gutters if you catch the problem early on. If you let the issue go unaddressed, it’s more likely that you will need to replace the gutters instead.

How Can I Repair Sagging Gutters?

The process required to repair sagging gutters depends on the materials and installation techniques used on your home.

Gutter Spikes

If your gutters use spikes to attach to the roof, you can use a hammer or pry bar to pull the loose spikes out. Examine each one. If they are still threaded, they are still usable. If the threads are worn or no longer visible, you must purchase new ones.
Use a screwdriver or other sturdy object to drive the new or reusable spikes through the holes and into the wooden fascia board. If the spikes seem loose at all, use a small sliver of wood coated in epoxy to fill the gap.

Gutter Brackets

Sagging gutters that use brackets to secure them require a different approach. Remove the section of the sagging gutter from the brackets and take out the screws. Fill in the holes with caulk before drilling new holes to use to reattach the brackets. If the brackets themselves are worn out or misshapen, they should also be replaced. Once you securely attach the brackets, you can re-hang the gutters.

Gutter Hangers

Another method used to attach gutters is hangers. If you have sagging gutters with hangers, you must replace the damaged hangers with new ones. Make sure to fasten them tightly to the fascia in a new section before re-hanging your gutters.

Contact The Gutter Professionals

While it’s possible to clean, repair, or even replace your gutters yourself, it’s a better idea to call a professional to ensure the job is done correctly. Unless you have a lot of experience, it’s easy to make a mistake and cause further damage or the need for more repairs and greater financial investment down the road.

The experts at The Gutter Professionals in Clarksville, TN have the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate your unique situation and make the best recommendation. They provide regular maintenance to clean your gutters and prevent further issues, as well as repairs and replacements. Contact The Gutter Professionals today to get answers to your questions or make an appointment for one of their services.