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How to Fix Gutters Pulling Away from Your House

How to Fix Gutters Pulling Away from Your House

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Do your gutters seem to be sagging away from the house? Are you seeing gaps between the fascia boards and gutters keep getting bigger and bigger?

The bad news is that this is a pretty common problem with most gutter systems. Separating gutters ruin your home’s exterior, making it look worn-out and broken-down. Not only that, but not having gutters in place can cause serious damage to your home.

Luckily, learning how to fix gutters pulling away from the house can be quick and easy. In this post, we’ll discuss possible reasons why gutters slope outward and how to fix them.

Let’s dive in.

The Importance of Having a Gutter System

In many parts, especially those that don’t get a lot of rainfall, gutters aren’t on every homeowner’s mind. Yet, this is a vital part of the roofing system regardless of where you live because they help protect the roofing system, fascia boards, the sides of your house, as well as its foundation.

Even in states like Las Vegas that receive hardly any little rainfall, gutters are still necessary.

Why?

Because a home without gutters is vulnerable to multiple risks like mold growth and weakening of the overall house structure. Hence, adding a gutter system to your home will yield multiple benefits for years to come. These benefits are sure to outweigh their initial costs and yearly maintenance routine.

Signs the Gutters Are Pulling Away from the House

Several signs indicate a possible problem with the gutter system.

The first sign is when you notice gaps between the gutters and the fascia boards on the edge of the roofing. Even a small separation can be a major issue, especially if you live somewhere that typically gets a lot of rainfall.

Another thing to look for is whether the gutter system is drooping downward or sagging away from the house. It’s a clear indication that the gutters are either being weighed down by debris, the gutter system isn’t properly attached to the roof, or both.

Potential Problems Caused by Gutters Pulling Away

If your gutters are beginning to slope away from the house, the water won’t be able to flow away from your home. This can lead to leaking down the walls and inside the house. Over time, it can also cause structural problems, such as rotting and mold growth.

Also, if left unchecked, moisture will eventually reach the foundation where it can do a world of damage. For example, it can result in cracks in the foundation, erosion, and weakening of the whole structure.

Gutters pulling away from fascia boards can also cause the following problems:

  • A damp basement
  • Moisture damage to the walls and ceilings
  • Pooling water that attracts mosquitoes and other harmful insects
  • Increased risk of mold and mildew growth
  • Deterioration of the siding of the house and landscape
  • Water damage to the foundation
  • Shorter roof lifespan

Why the Gutters Are Pulling Away and How to Fix It

You may be surprised to know that your gutters don’t just collect rainwater. They can fill up with a variety of things like falling leaves, pine needles, tree branches, insects, and even bird nests.

Below are three common reasons your gutters may sag away from the house. We also rounded up some easy DIY fixes to help you put the gutters back in place quickly and safely.

However, you should note that if the entire gutter system needs to be replaced, you may consider hiring a professional roofing repair company to do the job. Leaving it up to the professionals may cost you some extra expense, but at least you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your gutters are in good hands.

Whatever you decide, take a look at some possible causes and fixes.

Loose Hangers

The gutter system is designed to run straight. So, if you notice any sections sagging or pulling away from the fascia boards, this means they need to be immediately re-secured. If they’re worn out or rusted, you may need to replace them altogether.

So, the most common reason for sagging gutters is that the hangers or spikes holding them in place have become loose. This can happen due to improper maintenance or severe weather conditions.

Another reason is that they weren’t installed properly in the first place.

The Fix:

The first thing you have to do is place your ladder on a flat, stable patch of ground and inspect the gutters all around the roof. Check for any loose spikes or hangers. If you find any, use a screwdriver to tighten each one in place.

However, if you notice that any of these hangers appear to be worn out or rusted, then it’s time to replace them. Even if they don’t look damaged, but seem to spin in place when you try to tighten them, this could mean the brackets themselves need to be replaced.

In this case, use a hammer claw to remove the old spikes and screws. Then, using a power drill, drive in the new ones in the same spots as before.

If the gutters weren’t properly installed from the start, you could use the same method to secure them in place. You could also install new gutter hangers or brackets to replace their old, loose counterparts.

Damaged Gutters

A second reason causing your gutters to slope away from the house is that they’ve become damaged and worn over the years.

This usually happens due to a lack of regular maintenance, especially after severe storms and harsh weather conditions. Another simple explanation could be that the gutter system is outdated and needs to be replaced.

The Fix:

If you notice damaged areas, it might be a good idea to replace just those parts. Start by determining the point of failure, and make a list of what you need from soffits, spikes, or brackets. Then, pay a visit to your local hardware store to get what you need.

If you prefer, you can replace the entire gutter system with seamless gutters manufactured from one continuous and long piece of metal.

Unlike traditional gutter systems, this innovative design has fewer failure points. Consequently, it reduces gutter maintenance and boosts their overall performance.

Too Much Debris

When large amounts of debris, leaves, and standing water collect in the gutter system, this causes an unbearably heavy load for the gutters to carry. The excess weight causes them to sag and pull away from the fascia boards.

Also, when debris is left in the gutters, the leaves will start to decompose and rot. Over time this will damage the gutters, making them unable to do their job efficiently.

The Fix:

Gutters are pretty low-maintenance if you think about it. They just need a thorough cleaning twice a year, maybe more if you live near lots of foliage or experience heavy winds, rains, or snowfall.

Yet, it’s those cleanings that make the difference between a stable, well-functioning gutter system and one that’s falling apart at the seams.

To clean your gutters and downspouts, you can go old-school and use a ladder and a bucket. Or, you can invest in a professional gutter cleaning kit that comes with everything you need to clean the gutter system without a ladder.

Final Thoughts

Sagging gutters can cause a slew of costly problems to your house that range from leaks inside the home to structural damage to the foundation. That’s why knowing how to fix gutters pulling away from the house and the reasons causing this problem can save you a lot of money and heartache.

Luckily, the fixes are simple. Anyone with a basic knowledge of home DIY projects will find them easy and straightforward.

Then, once the problem is fixed, make sure you take the time to regularly inspect and maintain your gutter system to help prevent similar problems in the future.

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