Gutter FAQs

The timing of cleaning your gutters can help prolong its life and minimize damage. There are a few factors to consider, but generally speaking, the two best times to clean your gutters are between the last leaves of fall and the start of winter, and at the beginning of spring so your gutters are ready to handle heavier spring rains.

As a general guideline, you should clean your gutters out at least once per year (up to six times a year) to reduce the chance of gutter, downpipe and drain problems. Be sure to check out our Weatherguard Wash Wand that reaches up to 25′, ideal for cleaning your gutters.

There are a few signs for gutter replacement:

1. Standing water in the gutter system.

When water doesn’t drain from the eaves, it can cause the gutters to pull away and/or damage the sealant used in the corners. Most damage occurs during the winter. We find this kind of damage in residential and commercial buildings in the North Shore as well as many areas in Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford where snow fall is greater.

2. Rusty gutters.

It’s a normal course of an aging for a steel gutter system to show signs of rust and deterioration. Aluminum doesn’t rust naturally however. If you have rusty aluminum gutters, then it’s a sign of incompatible materials reacting with one another. In either case, rusting gutters usually means that things have deteriorated beyond repair and the gutters need to be replaced.

3. Leaking corners.

Are your aluminum gutters leaking at the corners? Sometimes gutter repairs will add to the life of the system, but it can be very difficult to remedy. If the entire gutter system is leaking at the seams then its time to replace the system to prevent other forms of water damage.

4. Water is pouring over the side of the gutters.

Have your gutters cleaned professional first. If you still see excess water spilling over the gutters then the water is not draining correctly from the gutter system.

When installed correctly, Aluminum or steel gutters have an average lifespan of 20 – 25 years. Homeowners and facility managers alike can add years to the life of the gutter system by have them regularly maintained (cleaned). Also, investing in a leaf protection system at the time of installation will improve the life of the gutter system.

Leaky gutters are a homeowner’s nightmare. When water falls through holes in your gutters and drips along the side of your house, it could cause damage to the roof and fascia, water pooling near the foundation, soil erosion, and more.

Caulking the gutter joints with specialized gutter sealant is a proven and reliable fix for leaky gutters. Gutter sealants are readily available at most home improvement stores. Large holes might require professional patches; if you’re unsure about how to proceed, contact the gutter repair experts at Weatherguard Gutters.

Learn how to fix other common gutter problems.

Gutters are your first line of defense against water damage to your home. Gutters redirect water that flows down your roof away from your home and towards a drainage area that’s a safe distance from your house—water that would otherwise drip along the sides of your home and accumulate around your foundation. Gutters still play an essential role in protecting both your home’s value and the home itself.

Gutter costs will vary depending on the type of gutter you select, gutter material, home size, gutter enhancements and labour costs. For instance, aluminum gutters are usually less expensive, whereas steel, zinc and copper gutters are better in quality and their price reflects this.

To get a close ballpark estimate for gutter installation, use our free gutter estimator tool.

Copper gutters are beautiful. Usually you will find them on the eaves of heritage homes (restoration projects) or architectural builds that have a lot rustic elegance. Over time, copper can get a rich patina look – that beautiful mix of aqua blue green, and light brown adding to the uniqueness of the home.
Cosmetics aside, choose copper gutters because they are long lasting and more resilient than gutters made with alternate materials. It’s always a good idea to have a professional gutter company handle regular cleaning and maintenance.

Seamless gutters, or continuous gutters, are as the name implies, a solid piece of metal – no seams means no leaks! For this reason, they are the most popular type of gutters today. The only seams are at the inside and outside corners. Weatherguard Gutters has a wide selection of 5” and 6” seamless gutters in aluminum, copper, zinc and steel.

Seamless gutters are more effective against expansion, contraction, freezing and strong winds. Since they are custom made to the exact measurements for your home, seamless gutters look great too! And with many colours and profiles to choose from, they will blend seamlessly with the soffit and fascia of your home to enhance its beauty.

Gutter guards and leaf protection systems are necessary to prevent clogs and even serve to keep birds, rodents, and other critters away from your roof. The more wooded the area surrounding your property the more you will want to consider a premium gutter guard system for your home.

Check out other gutter accessories you may be missing to ensure maximum protection for your property.

There are many variables to this question! A general guideline is one downspout per 20 feet (or 6 meters) of guttering, but more or less may be required depending on local rainfall, the design of the gutter system and the drainage area.

The purpose of a downspout is to divert rainwater from your gutters to the ground and away from your foundation. Therefore, poorly designed or installed gutters and downspouts can cause rainwater to pool around the base of the home or back up into the gutters, leading to serious damage to the roof, siding, fascia boards and foundation. It’s best to consult a gutter installation expert to assess your home or building’s unique gutter and downspout needs.

There are many important factors to consider when replacing your gutters. The most important aspects to keep in mind should be which gutter system will best protect your house, provide the best value for your home and most adequately balance out functionality, cost and aesthetics.

That said, replacing your gutters is no simple DIY project. Consider a professional gutter installation company for your new gutters, as they will be able to ensure a high-quality job is completed safely and efficiently, as quoted and on budget.