Get matched with top gutter cleaning pros in Allenton, MI

It can be worth painting gutters if they look worn and old but are still functioning properly. Gutters should define and complement your roofline, not detract from the look of your home. Rust can be treated and potentially removed before repainting, but severely rusted gutters may need to be replaced instead. If your gutters simply aren't functioning, try cleaning them out.

Though aluminum and copper are some of the most common gutter materials, they aren't the only types of gutter materials on the market. There are also stainless steel gutters, vinyl gutters, zinc gutters, and wood gutters. Some homeowners choose to forgo traditional gutter systems entirely. Gutter system alternatives include angled louvers, rain chains, drip edges, rain dispersal systems, and french drains.

If you’re not interested in digging up your yard, but you still need to direct water away from your house, another option is to extend your downspouts further out into the yard. Two methods to do this are:

• Adding a splashguard. This is the simplest method. You can purchase a splashguard at your local hardware store and place it under your downspout. This will act as a funnel to direct water away from your house.

• Add downspout extension at the end. You can also add an additional downspout to the end of the “elbow” as a way to extend the water further out into your yard. Some hardware stores sell downspouts with a flexible extension that you can maneuver around your yard.

The above alternatives are great options if your gutters are above a slab foundation that you wouldn’t want to dig up. One downside to these methods is if your yard slopes back upwards to your home, then the water won’t actually flow away. In which case, burying your downspouts if the best option to avoid flooding and water damage to your home.

While zinc gutters will not crack, fade, or rust with time, they will change in appearance as the years go on. This "maturing" is actually one of the reasons why zinc gutters are so prized. Over time, a grayish patina forms on zinc gutters to create a stately, rustic look. This patina actually makes zinc gutters more durable by making them resistant to chemicals.