Basics of Installing and Maintaining Metal Gutters

Metal gutters may be made of copper, aluminum, steel, or zinc. Typically, metal gutters are made using a gutter machine that forms a piece of metal into a gutter shape. Contractors use the machine to create a seamless gutter in the correct size and length so seams are only at corners, rather than fastening multiple lengths together for each side of the house.

Your contractors can then install gutters in the correct position using gutter fasteners such as brackets and straphangers or hidden hangers. Spike and ferrule fasteners are also sometimes used, but hidden hangers are typically considered a better choice.

One of the benefits of choosing an experienced gutter specialist is that you can avoid common mistakes that a DIY installation may fall prey to. Some of these potential mistakes include:

• Installing two dissimilar types of metal near each other (or using fasteners of the wrong metal) and creating galvanic corrosion 
• Installing gutters with the wrong amount of pitch or slope so they won't drain effectively
• Installing gutters with incorrect placement, so they're too high or so the rain ends up overshooting the gutter

Make sure you choose a contractor who knows what they're doing and won't make any of these errors.

Although metal gutters are quite sturdy, they can suffer damage in several ways. For example, they could become twisted by the weight of water if the gutter fasteners fail, or are bent out of shape by a large falling object. In addition, corrosion could occur, especially if the finish is damaged.

Keep trees trimmed away from the house to avoid falling limbs. To protect gutters against failed fasteners or finish damage, have the gutters inspected regularly by a professional who can make sure the system is in great shape and perform any needed repairs.

One of the biggest factors when choosing gutters is how much rain they'll be expected to hold. A gutter that's too small could overflow during a heavy rainstorm, for example, rather than channeling all the water through the downspout correctly.

When choosing gutter size and shape, keep in mind that some shapes hold more water than others. For example, a K-style gutter can handle more rain than a half-round gutter of the same diameter.

In some cases, some types of metal gutters can last a lifetime. But if damaged by an impact or through neglect, the gutters may end up needing repairs or even replacements. A few signs that your gutters may need to be replaced include:

• The gutter has pinhole leaks from corrosion
• The gutter has been smashed by a tree
• The gutter is the wrong size to handle the amount of rain you get

If only one section of the gutter is damaged, your contractors may also be able to simply remove and replace that section. Ideally, they'll use a new gutter that closely matches the rest of the gutters in shape and color. However, the condition and the age of the rest of the gutters may affect how easy they are to match.

These basics can help you wrap your head around how metal gutter systems work, from installation and design to maintenance and upkeep. Contact a local gutter installation company such as Mr. Gutter, LLC to learn more.