Roof gutters are an essential part of the drainage system of your home and they must be maintained in good condition to keep water from getting into the fabric of the building. Guttering that is in poor condition needs to be replaced to protect your home and its contents from damage and to avoid compromising your California home insurance coverage.
How do you tell whether roof gutters need to be replaced? Some of the signs that a roof gutter is in poor repair include:
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There are rust spots.
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There are leaks.
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The gutter sags or pulls away from the roof.
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The gutter has been damaged by severe weather.
Replacing roof gutters is a project that can sometimes be tackled by a person who has accomplished DIY skills. The project involves quite a few separate operations on the fascia boards, gutters and downpipes. Deciding whether to undertake the guttering project yourself means considering whether you have the skills necessary to complete the project within a realistic timescale. Those not confident they can do the work competently, or not experienced working at heights, will need to engage a roofing contractor to do the work.
Be sure to check that the contractor you engage is licensed and experienced, and ask about what materials will be used to replace your roof gutters. Check out the contractor’s price, of course, and agree a timescale for completing the job. Ask for references from previous clients and call to check that they were satisfied with the contractor’s work. Careful selection of a roofing contractor will help ensure that your roof gutters are correctly repaired, your home is protected from water leaks and overflows. Sometimes a severe storm might get past your best defenses – but that’s when your California home insurance should come into play.