A consumer awareness resource compiled by NTRCA, with special thanks to NTRCA members Rich Frazier, owner and founder of Frazier Roofing and Guttering and Matt Reilly, CTO (Chief Technology Officer), at Reilly Roofing and Gutters.
Gutters aren’t something the average homeowner gives a whole lot of thought to, but if 1) your home doesn’t have them (many homes in North Texas don’t), 2) your existing gutters are in disrepair or 3) hail has damaged your roof and/or gutters, it’s helpful to learn some basics so you can make the best decisions for your home and, most likely, prevent costly damage.
What are house gutters and what purpose do they serve?
Gutters are shallow troughs fixed beneath the edge of a roof, with the sole purpose of carrying off rainwater. That sounds simple enough. But without gutters that are operating well, you could be facing some not-so-simple (and possibly expensive) issues with your home.
What problems can arise without gutters?
In North Texas, we don’t typically get nice, soft rainfalls. Instead, we get long, hot dry spells interspersed with massive rain and hail storms. Additionally, the North Texas area has clay soil, which is particularly sensitive to moisture changes, affecting your home’s foundation.
When rain is allowed to pour off your roof with no channeling of the rainwater, flowers and shrubs underneath your roofline can get pelted and damaged, and the soil in your flower beds can be washed away, causing soil erosion and unsightly ruts.
“Without gutters, water can also cause dampness on outside walls, which can cause mold to grow and timber to rot,” said Matt Reilly, CTO at Reilly Roofing.
Worse yet, without gutters, water can pool in areas near your house, causing serious damage to a home’s foundation. This is especially important in North Texas, with our clay dirt, which easily contracts and expands based on the amount of moisture in the soil.
“It’s best to keep the moisture levels steady across your entire foundation, rather than having areas where water pools and other areas that are dry,” said Rich Frazier, owner of Frazier Roofing & Guttering.
Many newcomers to Texas are surprised to learn that it’s extremely helpful to “water” your home’s foundation in the summer for the same reasons. Consistent and even moisture levels around the entire home are best. Inconsistent moisture levels, with pooling water in some areas, can cause serious damage to a foundation.
“Gutters save homes from unnecessary and expensive repairs,” said Reilly.
What are the different types of gutters? What are the pros/cons of each?
“The most common gutters installed by professionals are seamless gutters, made out of aluminum,” said Frazier, “but they aren’t the only choice out there.”
“There are six main choices for gutter materials: aluminum, copper, steel, galvalume, zinc and vinyl,” said Reilly.
Here’s an overview of the six types of gutters provided by Reilly:
Aluminum Gutters: They are corrosion-resistant, lightweight, available in a variety of colors and less expensive than all the other materials, except vinyl. On the flipside, hail can damage them relatively easy because they are lightweight.
Copper Gutters: These gutters cost more than aluminum ones, but they last longer and do not need painted. However, they’re considerably more expensive than any of the other options, which is why they aren’t as common.
Galvanized Steel Gutters: These gutters are made of zinc and are very strong, but they are prone to rust.
Galvalume Gutters: Steel gutters with a coating of aluminum and zinc. It is a strong and durable metal that can last nine times longer than gutters made of galvanized steel.
Zinc Gutters: Similar to copper, gutters made from zinc do not need to be painted. Although they do cost more than aluminum gutters, they don’t need paint, require little maintenance and their lifespan is twice as long compared to aluminum.
Vinyl Gutters: Also known as PVC or plastic gutters, these are the least expensive and easiest for homeowners to install themselves. The downside to vinyl gutters is that when they get hot, they tend to twist, so they aren’t as sturdy as other options.
What is the advantage of using a gutter installation company that is also a roofing expert?
While it isn’t necessary to use a gutter installation company that is also a roofing expert, it does provide an advantage.
“Sometimes a home has roof issues that affect the proper flow to the gutters,” said Frazier. “A company that installs both gutters and roofs would have the knowledge and ability to spot and address these issues.”
Reilly agrees: “While your gutter is being installed correctly, you also have a professional roofer up there who can let know you if there are any problems with your roof.”
Additionally, because gutters are typically attached under the roof’s drip edge, it’s important that they are attached properly, without impairing the roof shingles.
If I have gutters, how do I know when I need my gutters repaired? Replaced?
The critical maintenance task for your gutters is to make sure they stay clean.
“A good rule of thumb is to clean your gutters at least twice per year,” advised Reilly. “First, after leaves have fallen from the trees in the fall and then again in the spring, to clear out winter debris, before the spring rains come. But pay attention year-round to make sure water is flowing freely off your roof, through the gutters and out your downspouts when it rains.”
What about gutter guards? Do I need them?
“If you have a landscape with big trees, you should consider installing gutter guards,” said Frazier. “Otherwise, the gutters will fill up and your downspouts won’t work properly. And with a lot of moisture being held in your gutters, it will create mosquito issues.”
There are 3 basic types of gutter guards available that homeowners can add to their gutters: gutter screens with large holes, gutter screens with small holes and gutter caps. Gutter screens, designed to block leaves and debris, attach to the top of gutters. Gutter screens with small holes are more expensive than those with large holes, but prevent more debris from making it through.
“Gutter caps, at about four times the cost, cover the entire gutter and often have a lifetime warranty,” said Frazier.
Both Frazier and Reilly point out that no gutter guard product is perfect.
“Gutter guards do an excellent job of prohibiting full-sized leaves from falling into your gutters, but many of them cannot stop small leaves, flower buds, seed pods or evergreen needles from getting caught in the gutter,” said Reilly. “These products can spare you some time and work, because they do eliminate most leaves from you gutter. However, they do not allow you to sit back and be lazy: your gutters will still need cleaned once in a while.”
When my home is being re-roofed, what do I need to know about my gutters? If your home needs re-roofed due to North Texas hail damage, chances are that it’s best to replace your gutters as well. Why?
First off, if hail damaged your roof, it’s likely that it damaged some or all of your gutters as well.
Second, said Fraizer: “To re-roof a home properly, you have to take the gutters and the drip edge off, and the gutters are typically attached under the existing drip edge.” Even if your gutters haven’t been damaged, if you have typical gutters, such as aluminum or copper, it’s virtually impossible to take the gutters off and put them back on without damaging them, he added. “There’s too much movement and room for them to bend, twist or get a kink, so if you have to remove your gutters for any reason, it’s best to replace them,” said Frazier.
Rich Frazier, a long-time member of NTRCA and former NTRCA board president, is the owner and founder of Frazier Roofing and Guttering. Founded in 1977, Frazier Roofing and Guttering is the second oldest roofing company based in Arlington, Texas and serves all of the DFW area. Learn more at www.frazierservices.com.
Matt Reilly is an NTRCA member and the CTO of Reilly Roofing and Gutters. Founded 15 years ago, the company serves the Dallas/Fort Worth, Denton and San Antonio areas of Texas. Learn more at www.reillyroofing.com.