Do You Need Annapolis Gutter Installation? Here's How to Tell

Your doors and windows are sealed tightly. Your roof was just replaced last year. Your siding is in great shape. But are you really doing everything you can to protect your Annapolis, MD home against severe water damage and preserve its longevity? If you don't have rain gutters installed, or your old gutter system has deteriorated and is in rough condition, your house is missing an absolutely critical protective element and is in desperate need of Annapolis gutter installation.

If you do have existing gutters, but they're overflowing with debris and have cracks, holes, or missing sections, you might as well not have them at all. You may be wondering if you need to have them replaced with brand-new gutters or if a few repairs by your local handyman could get them back in serviceable condition. In this guide, we'll explain the signs that repair is likely going to be adequate and the symptoms of a system that simply isn't going to last another season and needs replacement—along with replies and advice to some other questions we often hear about gutter installation in Annapolis, MD.

When you realize it's time for gutter installation services, count on your local, qualified Annapolis handyman to get it is done correctly and efficiently so you can have peace of mind knowing your home is protected against problems that range from a leaking roof to a cracked foundation and everything in between. The expert team of service professionals at Mr. Handyman of Anne Arundel and North PG has the skill and experience to take care of the entire process from start to finish, leaving your house protected and enhancing your curb appeal and property value at the same time.

Is Rain Gutter Installation in Annapolis, MD, Really Necessary?

YES! Sorry for shouting, we just really want to get this message across clearly. Annapolis gutter installation is 100% necessary to protect your home or commercial property against severe water damage and other problems that come along with it, such as compromised structural integrity, insect and rodent infestations, mildew, algae growth, and much more.

Here's how it works. Under normal circumstances, all the rainwater that falls on your roof ends up in your gutters and is channeled into downspouts and disposed of away from the house where it can't do any harm. You may be thinking, "So what?" right now. It doesn't sound that impressive, but if you know how much water actually lands on your roof over the course of a year, you start to understand why that water needs to be removed. One inch of rain on a 2,000-square-foot roof produces a surprising 1,240 gallons of water. The average annual rainfall in Annapolis, MD, is 45 inches, far exceeding the national average of 38 inches. That means 60,760 gallons of waterfall on your house every year, or much more if you have a larger roof—and that's not even counting snowmelt.

When you think about all the damage 60,760 gallons of water could cause to the exterior of your house—and potentially the interior as well—it becomes a lot more obvious why gutter installation is such a needed service. If you don't have a rainwater disposal system in place, or you do, but it's broken and crammed full of dirt, dead leaves, pine needles, trash, and other debris blocking the flow of water, there's nowhere for all that rain to go and it pools on your roof or leaks down the exterior of your house. Moisture is your home's natural enemy, and it's really shocking how much damage excessive water can cause in a short amount of time. That's why it's so important to get gutters installed and keep your gutters clean so they can do their job properly. Need gutter cleaning in Anne Arundel County? Our expert handyman team can take care of that for you as well, along with gutter repair and dozens of other reliable services.

Do I Need to Replace My Gutters, or Just Get a Few Repairs Done?

There's no point in getting your whole system replaced with a new Annapolis gutter installation if all you need is basic gutter repair service. At the same time, you don't want to fool around with repair work that isn't going to get the job done when what you really need is a replacement. It can be difficult to tell which option is best suited to your particular property if you don't have a lot of experience assessing the condition of rainwater systems. Based on what we've seen at residential and commercial properties in Annapolis, MD, the correct answer to the repair versus replacement conundrum will vary based on factors like what type of system you have installed and how seriously it's damaged.

If you've got severe or widespread damage, replacing the gutters will likely be more cost-effective and long-lasting than repair. The only exception is if you have copper gutters installed. Copper systems have a much higher upfront installation cost, but in exchange, they are intended to last for much longer before they need replacement. Because of that, it makes sense to try to repair them whenever possible to get more serviceable years out of them.

Situations Where Repair Should Be Sufficient

Here are some of the indications that your local Annapolis handyman should be able to get your rainwater system back in good condition with repair services:

• Small Holes: If the damage is limited to a few minor holes or hairline cracks, your handyman can make it watertight again by applying a bead of gutter sealant.
• Loose or Disconnected Joint: If the seam where two sections are connected, or where the trough connects to a downspout, is coming loose or the sections have disconnected altogether, your handyman may be able to get it resolved by snapping them back together and firming up the connection with sealant.
• One Section is Affected: When there are one or two sections that have suffered damage, and the rest are perfectly fine, just those damaged sections can be replaced.
• Loose or Missing Brackets and Hangers: If downspout brackets and trough hangers are coming loose and the system is starting to pull away from the house in places or sag under its own weight, your handyman can tighten them up or replace missing ones, and everything should be in good shape again.

What Are the Signs That My House Needs a New Gutter Installation in Annapolis, MD?

Now let's talk about the situations where gutter installation is warranted. Here are some of the scenarios that indicate your residential or commercial property does need expert gutter replacement service.

Damage is Widespread

If the damage is relatively minor, but it's widespread across multiple sections of your rainwater disposal system, like small rust holes every few inches along most of the channels, you need new gutters. Numerous small repairs would be very time-consuming, and the result would not be satisfactory in the end, so a total replacement is actually the most budget-friendly option.

Channels or Downspouts are Seriously Dented or Crushed

When most or all of your rainwater system has been badly dented by a hailstorm or crushed by something like a falling tree branch, it's best to choose replacement over repair. It can't really be restored to its former condition, and the damage can affect the flow of water or accelerate deterioration. But if only one or two sections have been affected, you can avoid replacing the whole system.

Seamless System Is Damaged

A seamless gutter installation can provide some benefits—they're durable and don't experience problems like loose connections between sections. They actually do have seams at the corners, but the rest is long, unbroken stretches of rainwater channels. The downside is that if part of a seamless rainwater system is damaged, the entire thing needs to be replaced with new gutters.

Incorrect Pitch

Your gutters aren't clogged, but the water just sits there and doesn't go anywhere. This problem is caused by an incorrect pitch. Basically, there's not enough of a slope to get the water moving into the downspout, which could be because of a faulty installation or because parts of the system have shifted somewhat since they were installed.

This actually isn't always a case for replacement. Your handyman may be able to repair it by changing the positions of a few hangers to get the right slope. But sometimes, it's not that simple, and the whole thing needs to be rehung. It's difficult to get the pieces down without damaging them, so installing new gutters is necessary. The issue of standing water could also be caused by insufficient downspouts, especially if you notice that lots of water are pouring out of some downspouts when it rains but pooling in other sections. In that case, having an additional downspout installed should restore the function.

Exterior Water Damage

If you notice problems such as black stripes, water stains, wood rot, and peeling paint on your siding, windowsills, and door jams, it's a strong indicator that you've got serious problems with your system and likely need gutter installation services. It's possible your gutters are just clogged and need a good cleaning, but if the issues are being caused by damaged sections, they should be replaced. Either way, the problem needs to be dealt with immediately before it does any further damage. If it's allowed to continue, moisture will seep through the walls, and you'll start noticing signs of interior water damage as a result of heavy rain, such as softened, crumbling drywall, rotting wooden trim, and water stains on walls and ceilings. You may also feel drafts of air coming from electrical sockets and wall switches.

Loose or Missing Brackets and Gutter Hangers

If you've had loose hangers or downspout brackets refastened and they still keep loosening up quickly after repair service, it's a sign the system is past its prime—like everything else in life, they don't last forever and will eventually need replacement. However, there is another possibility.

It could be that the fascia board they are attached to has rotted, corroded, or deteriorated in some other way to the point that it can't hold a screw. Keeping an eye on your soffits and fascia can be just as helpful as inspecting your gutter system when it comes to determining if you need gutter replacement.

How Long Do Gutters Usually Last Before They Need Replacement?

That really depends on the type of material and how well it is maintained. Galvanized steel and aluminum gutters have a life expectancy of about 20 years if regularly cleaned and maintained. Copper systems can typically last up to 50 years with proper care. But keep in mind that if your system suffers widespread impact damage from a falling branch, hail, or other effects of a heavy storm, it will need to be replaced before its time is technically up.

Does Gutter Installation Improve Annapolis Property Value?

If you're considering putting your house up for sale on the real estate market and wondering what you can do to increase the selling price and impress prospective buyers, gutter installation is worth considering. The sight of a house without any rainwater disposal system, or one that is in disrepair, could be a huge turn-off to potential homebuyers who are concerned about hidden moisture damage. A newly installed system, on the other hand, is a green light that offers some reassurance that they won't be dealing with serious water damage problems shortly after moving in.

Need Expert Gutter Installation in Annapolis, MD? Call the Pros at Mr. Handyman!

Whether you're in Annapolis, MD, or a nearby area such as Parole or Edgewater, you can depend on the experienced team of professionals at Mr. Handyman of Anne Arundel and North PG for outstanding workmanship and customer service that goes the extra mile.

Contact us for more information or to book an appointment at a convenient time by picking up the phone and calling. We'd love the opportunity to tell you all about the ways we can enhance your property to make it more comfortable, livable, and appealing.