As a critically important part of your roof, eavestroughs help protect your home from water damage, including premature roof wear, basement flooding and interior leaks. They are also critical in protecting your landscaping. Most roof draining systems will last nearly as long as a roof, especially if the various components are looked after and properly maintained.
However, harsh weather such as hail or high-speed winds can cause damage to eavestroughs and downspouts. If your eavestroughs are not in good shape from bad weather, or just from age, timely repair or replacement is essential. In order to protect your home, use a roofer in Calgary to help determine if it might be time for new eavestrough installation or repair.
What’s wrong with your eavestroughs?
Talking to roofing professionals is the best way to determine if you need new eavestroughs, but there are some things you can look out for on your own. You may need eavestrough replacement if your current eavestroughs and downspouts have any of the following problems. With a simple physical inspection you can easily notice if your eavestroughs are loose, uneven or sagging in certain areas. Another common problem is if your roof drainage system often gets clogged.
However, your roof’s proximity to trees may have more to do with clogging than malfunctioning eavestroughs. For a closer inspection, consider getting on a ladder and seeing if there’s a buildup of rust or mildew, a problem with leaks or holes, or peeling or flaking paint. Checking your yard after rain may also provide insight into the quality of your eavestroughs. If they have a problem, you may notice water pooling on the side of the house instead of at the end of the downspouts.
Repair vs. replacement
What you may have more difficulty determining is whether you need full replacement or just simple repairs. An easy clue is the age of the current eavestroughs. The average lifespan of eavestroughs is 25 to 30 years. If they are older and require expensive repair work, it most likely will make more sense to have them fully replaced. If your eavestroughs are more than 15 years old and you have never had a professional inspection, it’s a good idea to get one from a roofer in Calgary.
As your eavestroughs age, they become more vulnerable to damage and aren’t as effective at protecting your home from water damage. Extensive repair work may get a few more years out of them, but sometimes buying new is the best option. On the other hand, if your eavestroughs are relatively new, and have been damaged by a storm, having them fixed is probably the smarter option.
Eavestrough replacement offers a number of benefits for your home. A new roof draining system will better protect your home from water damage and help prevent problems like roof leaks and basement flooding. It will also help protect your landscaping from erosion and, for at least several years, should require less maintenance and care. Consider having your eavestroughs inspected by a professional roofer in Calgary if you suspect they may be in need of replacement or repair.