How much do gutters cost?

Guttering is there to redirect rainwater away from your house, to protect your home from water damage, which is why it is essential to keep your guttering in great condition.  So when you are considering the cost of gutters you need to remember that if a guttering system is not doing its job, it can lead to many more serious problems in the long run generating much more expense. 

 

Leaking gutters can damage your brickwork, create damp and many other issues for homeowners. Bad weather can cause significant damage to guttering, so it is important to look after your drainage system. If you notice any problems they should be fixed right away to avoid any further damage. Talk to us, your local guttering specialist, we can advise you how much gutters cost and give you a free quote for gutter replacements.

 

The cost of gutters can vary

 

The cost of gutters can range greatly depending on the type of gutter, the length of gutter you need replacing and the roofer you use. UPVC guttering is cost effective, weather resistant and robust. You may also be able to repair your guttering instead of replacing it which depends on the extent of the damage. This is something you can discuss with us.

 

The gutter is there to protect your precious investment, your home, so don’t let your property be compromised by careless maintenance.

 

Lancashire homes and the weather

 

A factor that needs to be taken into account when considering if your gutters are adequate is that the Northwest has considerable rain. If your gutters are not in good condition, they will struggle to cope with even moderate rainfall, which can lead to 500 gallons of runoff, never mind a downpour which is enough to cause extensive damage if water is leaking from them. So, if you consider the weather in Lancashire combined with an ineffective guttering system you could be left with expensive home repairs further down the line and then the cost of gutters is minor in comparison.

 

Why Leaks Happen

 

Over time gutters erode, particularly if they have not been effectively maintained. High winds can also damage the guttering, weakening the fixings. If the system is constructed in sections the seams that join the gutters together deteriorate with age, causing it to leak. A common problem for leaks is where the gutters meet the downspouts, letting the water pour over your wall instead of into the drain. It could just be that your gutters are blocked with leaves or debris. Old style plastic guttering can develop cracks as they get brittle over time.

 

What are the consequences of ignoring leaking gutters?

 

Gutters work to redirect rain water away from walls, the roof, windows, cladding and the foundation. They are simple to repair and quite cheap to replace but the consequences of not maintaining the gutter system could cost a lot in the long run. If water is leaking out they are not doing their job and it can result in:

• The roof becoming wet, which can cause structural wood to rot, creating irreparable damage.
• Damage to the fascia, especially old wooden fascia can become rotten, meaning that the roof is not adequately supported.
• Penetrative damp in the bricks and mortar causing mould and mildew.
• Cracked and water damaged driveways or patios.
• Soil erosion.
• Water pooling near the foundation which can lead to subsidence.
• Water gathering at the base of your home which can flood the basement or lower floors.
• Decks and porches becoming rotten if constantly exposed to water.
• Water can leak between the fascia and the gutter.
• Gutters becoming unstable and falling off the building, creating a hazard.
• Gutters not draining properly can cause standing water

 

The roof becoming wet

 

The roof can become damaged because of several issues. The gutters should be redirecting water away from the roof structure but if the gutter is clogged water will back up and drench the roof. This can also happen because of cracks in the guttering or seams become broken. This can cause damage to the roof tiles as well as the timber supporting the whole roof, which can compromise the integrity of the structure. Water can eventually leak down onto the ceilings and walls below, so any discolouring of paint work shouldn’t be ignored. It is important to regularly check the roof insulation for any moisture.

 

Damage to the fascia

 

The rain should be directed along the guttering to the down pipe then into the drains below by the guttering system, to protect your home. Often the water ends up travelling to places it shouldn’t when the guttering become weak and cracked. Water can travel down the side of the fascia. If the fascia are made of timber, this can seriously weaken the wood, not to mention causing the paint to peel and flake. The fascia supports the lower roof tiles so any weakening of this area is also detrimental to the roof structure, this is why uPVC fascia are preferable to wooden as they are strong and weatherproof. The soffits can also collect the water allowing moisture to seep into the masonry. 

 

Penetrative damp in the bricks and mortar

 

Something as small as a crack in a gutter pipe can cause a huge amount of problems. If the rain is leaking from the gutter this can create a waterfall effect against the wall all down the side of your house, which over time penetrates into the pores of the bricks and mortar. This can cause damp patches on the interior walls leading to mould and mildew inside your house. Mould infestation is not something to ignore. It doesn’t just look bad it poses serious health risks. Symptoms of mould exposure include allergies, respiratory issues, throat irritation, sinus congestion and sneezing.  

 

So your home should always be protected against damp to avoid a whole range of dangers to your health, not to mention the need to repair the plaster, and redecorate. It is much better to solve the small problem of the leaking gutter than leave it to develop into structural issues to be resolved.

 

Cracked and water damaged driveways

 

Dripping water from a gutter can cause serious damage to driveways and patios. Concrete can be eroded by a continuous dripping leak, causing a deterioration of its incumbent minerals which allows cracks and gaps to develop.

 

Soil erosion

 

The water from a leak or broken gutter creates a focused and concentrated flow when it rains. The water pouring from a leaky gutter, sometimes from a great height at a high rate of speed in a down pour, and falling in one location can cause the soil to erode away.

Water pooling near the foundation which can lead to subsidence

A leaking gutter often results in water pooling around the base of your house, around the foundation of your home. This can present a considerable risk to your home’s structure. The foundation once wet is likely to develop cracks, or widen them, which can cause subsidence and your home to shift. The structure can become unstable as the water seeps in, the walls can even separate from the foundation when ignored for a long time. With water pressing against the foundations there is a possibility that your home could collapse under its own weight. This is why guttering is such a crucial part of your home, and a leaky gutter is so quick and easy to replace compared to the cost of needing to repair your house foundations.

 

Water gathering at the base of your home 

 

Another issue created by water pooling around the base of your house is water penetrating the lower floor of the building, particularly if you have a basement this can become damp or even flooded. A flooded basement is costly to fix and again can compromise the foundations.

 

Decks and porches becoming rotten

 

Wooden structures, such as decking and timber frame porches, are expensive to install and even though they are protected against the weather, continuous water leaking onto them will quickly compromise the wood. The rain can create rotting soft patches in the timber where gaps and holes can appear, that will look unsightly but also often creating an uneven surface in the decking that is hazardous to walk on. Mice and rats can also take advantage of these openings and take up residence inside the decking.

 

Water can leak between the fascia and the gutter

 

Fascias are exposed to the weather continuously and so are highly susceptible to deterioration over time. This is especially true of wooden fascias that need replacing sooner than uPVC. If the gutters are not directing the rain water away from the fascia you can often see water dripping from the fascia. If water is filtering out behind the fascia this can then flow through to the soffits which means water is penetrating the interior. Another hazard to consider is that this water may come into contact with an electrical source inside your home. Electricity and water pose a serious risk of electrocution.

 

Gutters becoming unstable

 

Over time exposure to the Lancashire weather and high winds can cause the guttering to become unstable and sometimes to become detached from the building. Gutters are not designed to hold the weight of standing water over a long period of time so a clogged gutter can also cause the guttering to pull away from the roofline. This can also cause a threat of pieces falling from a height onto people below. So when you consider how much do gutters cost it’s worth thinking about the consequences of not replacing your guttering. 

 

Gutters not draining properly

 

If the gutters are not draining properly into the drains this can cause standing water in the guttering. This can cause clogged and overflowing gutters, and even ice dams in the winter. It is important to check that the water is flowing through the drains.