Are your gutters sagging or leaking? Is your siding covered in unsightly black streaks? Are your fascia boards deteriorating? These are common issues for gutters in Germantown. Gutter repair services performed by an experienced Germantown handyman are your solution and should be acted upon sooner rather than later. Failing to repair damaged troughs and downspouts as soon as you notice a problem could result in much more costly damage, so don’t delay!
If you think you may benefit from our Germantown gutter repair service, give us a call today to book a consultation and an appointment. Or, continue reading below to learn more about how gutter damage occurs, what our service involves, and how you can keep your troughs in great shape moving forward.
Why Do My Gutters Need Repair?
Without occasional maintenance, everything in your home will deteriorate and require repairs at some point. Though your gutters will reach the end of their lifespan at some point, many homeowners in the Germantown area find their gutters breaking down and requiring repair or replacement earlier than they should. The number one cause of damaged troughs comes down to allowing them to clog.
Over a mere few months, your rain gutters will become clogged with leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other debris. This takes place during both heavy rains and windy days. If you have a tree with branches that extend above your roof, it can even happen on a perfectly calm day.
When the debris is small enough, flowing water can easily carry it through your troughs and into your downspout. However, very minimal rainfalls that do not produce much water flow don’t have the power to carry the debris. The longer wet debris sits in your troughs, the stickier it gets, and the more likely it is to prevent other debris from flowing through your drainage system. At a certain point, one of two things will happen:
- Your clogged gutter will sag. With enough weight, the fasteners that hold your trough against your fascia boards will loosen and pull away from your roof’s edge, leaving a gap between your roof and the trough.
- Rainwater will overflow. Clogs essentially act as a dam. During heavy rainfall, water may fill up to the top of the trough and spill over its edges.
In both of the above scenarios, the risk of water damage is high. Your fascia boards and siding can rot if made out of wood, and once your fascia boards are compromised, your attic will be susceptible to water damage as well. Water that pools on the ground below can put your foundation at risk and even result in basement flooding. Repairing water damage to this extent may cost you thousands of dollars.
Other factors that necessitate a need for gutter repair in Germantown, MD would likely involve the following:
- Style of gutters. Sectional gutters, made up of multiple gutter sections, tend to be susceptible to leaking within their joints. Seamless gutters only have joints between corner pieces, reducing the number of possible points of failure.
- Type of gutters. Vinyl and aluminum gutters are popular choices due to their low upfront cost, but they tend to develop cracks and holes more easily than other materials.
- Improper installation. If your system wasn’t installed properly, it may be more likely to pull away from your roof, leak, and clog.
No matter what the cause of your trough or downspout damage is, our handyman experts have the equipment, tools, training and experience to have them functioning correctly again.
Book your free consultation today by giving us a call. You can also fill out our online service request form, and our office team will make it a priority to get back to you as soon as they can.
Our Professional Germantown Gutter Repair Service
Rain gutter repairs are one of our most frequently requested services. Our highly-rated local pros can successfully complete a wide range of gutter repairs for Germantown, MD homes. The approach that they take will depend on the type of damage, but they’ll come equipped with tools for all kinds of jobs. Some of the specialized tools and equipment that your handyman may use include:
- Roofing cement
- Caulk
- Brackets
- Abrasive brush
- Putty knife
- Gutter scoop
- Work gloves
- Tin or aviation snips
- Hammer
- Gutter screws
- Gutter sealant
- Flashing material
- Ladder
- Power drill
- Level
On the day of your appointment, your handyman will arrive in a company truck filled with all the supplies and tools required. Next, your handyman will inspect your troughs and offer a couple of suggestions for the plan of action, taking time to explain the costs and benefits of each. The repair method will be your choice, and once you give the go-ahead, your handyman will get to work.
The first step to any Germantown gutter repair is to clean out the area that needs repair. If it’s full of debris, your service technician will scoop out the clog and rinse away any remaining debris with your garden hose. Then, they’ll clean more thoroughly around the area that needs the repair using a cleaning product and a cloth. For repairs requiring the use of caulk or roofing cement, they’ll also use an abrasive brush to scratch up the surface and allow the sealant to adhere.
For some types of Germantown gutter repairs, there isn’t a single ‘tried and true’ method that all handymen use. Your handyman will use the method that he believes will be the most effective for your problem. That being said, you may see your handyman take one or more of the following approaches:
- Holes, cracks, and leaky seams. Over time, the sealant used on your trough's joints will break down. Reapplying a sealant is often all that is needed to repair this. Holes and cracks are generally repaired by using tin snips to cut a piece of flashing out and using this as a patch.
- Incorrect slope. If water is collecting in your troughs and doesn’t have enough momentum to flow towards the downspout, they’ll need to be repositioned. Your troughs will likely be removed, and the structural integrity of your fascia boards assessed. If they’re rotting, they’ll need to be replaced. Once replaced, troughs will be positioned at the correct slope and attached using brackets.
Once the repair is complete, your service technician will clean up after themselves thoroughly. They’ll touch base with you to explain and show you the results and provide you with the opportunity to ask any remaining questions you may have.
Prevent Needing Germantown Gutter Repair Again
As much as we love our customers, we want to provide you with a Germantown gutter repair service that lasts. The responsibility falls on you to take the time to maintain your gutters and keep them in the best shape possible. There are two ways you can do this: with regular gutter cleaning and gutter guards.
For most homeowners, troughs and downspouts should be cleaned semi-annually—once in the spring and again in the fall. As tedious as this job is, skipping it is an imprudent decision. If you’re not comfortable on a ladder or would rather spend your time doing something else, you can hire us for gutter cleaning as well!
Installing gutter guards or covers won’t entirely prevent the need for cleaning, but they can prevent clogs and make the cleaning job easier. There are several different types of gutter guards, including:
- Foam and brush guards
- Screen and micro-mesh guards
- Reverse curve guards
All of these are great options and are available at different price points that fit any budget.
We’re a Leading Expert In Gutter Repair in Germantown, MD
Did you know that we’re a locally owned and operated franchise that has been in business since 2005? In the 15+ years since we first started serving residents in the Germantown, MD area, we’ve established a reputation for our quality workmanship and commitment to customer service.
Unlike gutter companies, we don’t just specialize in gutter repair. Germantown, MD homes can have a wide range of exterior repair needs related to damaged troughs and downspouts, including soffit repair, fascia repair, siding repair, and window trim repair. We can do it all, which helps you cut down on the number of contractors you need to hire and schedule.
We also offer a workmanship warranty. If you’re not completely satisfied with the quality of workmanship you received, we want to know. Our service professionals take great pride in their work, but sometimes things happen. Contact us within one year of your service appointment and we promise we’ll come back and make it right.
Germantown Gutter Repair FAQs
When Should I Consider Germantown Gutter Repair Over Gutter Replacement?
We commend you for investigating the viability of our Germantown gutter repair service before opting for a total replacement. Not only is this often a more cost-effective option, but it’s also more sustainable. But how do you know when your current troughs are too damaged to justify Germantown gutter repairs?
During your consultation, we’ll provide our expert opinion based on our inspection of your troughs, but we generally recommend getting a new gutter installation when the cost of repairs is comparable to or outweighs the cost of a professional installation. If your troughs are on their last legs and we suspect they’ll need frequent repairs that will never truly fix the issue, you might as well bite the bullet and get new gutters now before repair costs start adding up.
Can I Repair My Gutters On My Own?
We don’t generally recommend doing DIY gutter repairs in Germantown, MD unless you know what you’re doing. That how-to video you found on the internet may seem helpful, but if you’re not careful, you could risk damaging your gutters further. As you may have surmised above, gutter repair requires lots of tools and materials which are an expense in and of itself.
Plus, repairs often require you to get up on a ladder. If you’re not comfortable doing so, don’t risk it.
What Is The Best Germantown Gutter Repair Method?
There is really no single Germantown gutter repair method that outshines the rest. The methods we’ve outlined in the sections above are incredibly effective, as long as they are done correctly. Perhaps the most important stage takes place before the repair even starts, with cleaning. If the surface is not properly cleaned, no Germantown gutter repair method will be effective.
Some of our customers try to repair their own gutters with duct tape. This is one of the worst Germantown gutter repair methods out there and won’t last you much longer than a couple of rainy days. In a pinch, duct tape works in an emergency situation, but it’s a very temporary fix.
What Are The Best Types Of Gutter Guards?
The best type of guard for you will depend on your budget and expectations for your guards. If you just want to make cleaning easier and don’t want to spend a lot, brush and foam are cheap options. Keep in mind that these guards generally don’t last more than about five years.
To keep out the most debris possible, you’ll probably want to consider micro-mesh and reverse curve guards. These cover the tops of your troughs and will collect debris over time, but you may be able to simply brush the leaves and pine needles off with a telescopic tool from the ground rather than having to get up on a ladder.
How Long Do Our Germantown Gutter Repair Services Take?
The length of our Germantown gutter repair service varies from client to client, depending on the type and extent of the damage. When we assess your gutters and provide you with a free estimate, we’ll also give you an expected project timeline. If an unexpected obstacle comes up during our Germantown gutter repair process, we’ll let you know right away if there will be delays.
Prevent The Threat Of Water Damage By Booking Your Germantown Gutter Repair Service Today!
If your gutters are damaged and leaving your home at risk of incurring water damage, it’s time to invest in our Germantown gutter repair service.
Book your free consultation today by giving us a call. You can also fill out our online service request form, and our office team will make it a priority to get back to you as soon as they can.