Gutter Repair or Replacement: What Does Your West Chicago Home Need?

Drip... drip... drip... Some West Chicago homeowners love the sound of a good rain storm, but the sound of dripping, broken gutters isn't as pleasant. It's an indication that your house is unprotected and vulnerable to the property owner's natural enemy: water damage.Gutter repairs are essential if you hear that sound.

Whether they're riddled with holes and cracks or packed full of debris, when your gutters are in rough shape it's critical that you get gutter repair services or have them replaced entirely to keep your home safe against severe moisture problems. But is repair or replacement best for your property?

This guide explains situations in which gutter repair is the best choice and when replacement services from Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale are necessary to keep your house safe. Our service experts have years of experience dealing with broken, overflowing water ducts, so we'll catch problems others may miss and find effective, efficient solutions to get the rain water flowing away from your home again.

Why Are Gutters So Important?

You may be feeling a bit skeptical that a little piece of metal attached to the side of your roof eaves can really do much to protect your home. That's understandable—gutters tend to look like an afterthought, so many homeowners don't realize how crucial they are to the health and longevity of a house.

Normally, those channels on your roofline collect all the rainwater that falls on your roof and redirect it into downspouts to be safely disposed of away from the house where it can't cause harm. That doesn't sound very impressive, but let's do the math: just one inch of rain on a 1,000 square foot roof produces a surprising 620 gallons. For comparison, a typical bathtub holds about 40 gallons. The average rainfall in West Chicago is nearly 38 inches per year. That means that every year, 589 bathtubs worth of water fall on your house—or much more if you have a larger roof.

When your gutters have cracks, holes, and missing sections, or are crammed full of dirt, dead leaves, plants, and other debris, those 589 bathtubs of water have nowhere to go and pour down the exterior of your house instead, causing severe water damage that ranges from leaky roofs to cracked foundations and everything in between.

What Happens If Gutters are Broken or Clogged?

Rain gutters and downspouts can be damaged by rough weather, falling tree branches, wildlife such as rodents, insects, or birds, or just regular wear and tear over time. The damage is accelerated if they aren't kept clean and maintained with regular repair—in fact, gutters should be cleaned and repaired at least twice per year, in the spring and fall. From wood rot and mildew to skyrocketing energy bills, the costly, stressful headache of moisture incursion caused by leaky gutters is well worth avoiding. Regular repairs are the best way to do so.

Here are some unpleasant symptoms of moisture damage caused by broken, overflowing gutters:

Wind blows standing water into soffit vents where it will dampen attic support beams and cause the wood to rot, weakening the structural stability of the roof.
Water pools on the roof, eating away at the shingles and causing leaks that further damage the roof support beams.
Your siding material is meant to resist moisture, but it can only withstand so much abuse before it lets moisture into the interior of your walls, encouraging the growth of mold, mildew, and wood rot.
Wooden window and door frames rot away, letting even more moisture into the house and creating air drafts that cause your utility bill to increase by forcing your HVAC system to work much harder to keep your home at your desired temperature.
Water pools in the soil around your foundation, and the freeze-thaw cycle in winter constricts the soil, putting pressure on the foundation—causing it to crack.
Rodent and insect pests take advantage of the holes and gaps caused by moisture damage to gain access to your home, and bring dozens of their nasty little friends along with them.

Gutter Repair is an Effective Option If...

Damage is limited to one section: If just one or two sections have been crushed by a tree branch or careless ladder use, the damaged parts can be repaired without needing to remove the entire system.

There are a few minor holes: Your handyman can repair small holes and cracks with waterproof epoxy to keep your gutters functioning for another season.
A couple of hangers are loose or missing: When some of the hangers used to attach the water channel to your eaves are missing or broken, just the hangers can be replaced.
A joint is leaking: If the area where two sections are connected together is leaking, it may just need to be snapped back together or sealed with epoxy.
You have a damaged copper system: Copper systems are very expensive, so repairs are generally more cost-effective than replacement if at all possible.

You Need Replacement If...

Damage is widespread: If the entire structure is riddled with little holes, cracks, and gaps, it makes more sense to replace it than to attempt repairs.
Seamless gutters are badly dented or crushed: If a seamless system has been crushed or badly damaged in one place, the whole system needs replacement.
There are water stains and peeling paint on your home's exterior: These signs of moisture damage and rot indicate that your roofline ducts are not doing their job properly. Repairs may be possible, but if the damage is that noticeable, it's probably past the point of repair.
Screws and gutter support brackets will not stay attached to eaves: If you've tried to refasten loose screws and brackets but they keep coming undone, it may be that the fascia board is rotted and needs replacement, along with the gutters.
Water isn't moving even though there’s no blockage: If your gutters aren't clogged but the water just sits there, it's likely an issue with incorrect pitch or faulty installation. That said, they will likely need to be replaced to get the water flowing again.

Tips For Maintaining Your Gutters

Want to keep your system in great shape so you can avoid gutter repair in the future? Here are a few maintenance tips that will keep them in good condition for years to come.

The best way to maintain your roofline is an annual, professional inspection. We'll get them sparkling clean and take care of repairs while we're at it.
Your handyman can install drip edge boards, an L-shaped piece of metal that sits under your roof flashing and helps to direct water away from your fascia boards.
Gutter guards are a sound investment. They cover over the top to prevent it from filling up with dead leaves, animal nests, and other debris so fast.
Run a test by directing a stream of water through them from your garden hose and inspecting carefully for any signs of leaks or blockages.

Mr. Handyman is Your Go-To Gutter Repair Expert in West Chicago

Whether you're in Wayne, Villa Park, Westmont, or another area of West Chicago, you can rely on Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale for quality workmanship and exceptional customer service.

Give us a call or text us today to request a service appointment and find out why we're considered West Chicago's best choice for professional gutter repair! We’d love to help you get results that match all our great local work.