Get matched with top gutter repair and replacement pros in Chester, MT

Buried downspouts can freeze during cold weather as cold water runs through them. If you’ve discovered your downspouts are frozen, you can carefully pour hot water down the top of the downspout to defrost them. If that doesn’t work, you may need to dig your downspout back up. Avoid trying to break the ice from the exterior using a hammer as this can cause cracks and damage to your downspout.

To avoid freezing the future, consider adding a heating cable to the exterior, which can adjust heat based on the surrounding temperature.

With routine maintenance, gutters don’t usually need to be replaced for 20 years, but there are warning signs that they might need early replacement. Signs that your gutters need to be replaced include sagging, visible cracks or holes, peeling paint, rust, standing water in your gutter, and water leaking into your basement. Pushing off replacing your gutters can lead to extensive damage to both the interior and exterior of your home. Regular maintenance can help your gutters last all 20 years — and sometimes, even longer. 

Outside of regular maintenance, most gutter repairs are best left to the pros. Most gutter projects require basic ladder safety and (sometimes) getting on top of your roof. Without the proper equipment (or if you generally get a little nervous with heights), you could put yourself at risk of serious injury. On top of that, improperly repaired gutters could result in longer term damage that requires a full replacement.

Gutters should not drip at the seams. This problem could indicate that water is collecting in the gutters instead of moving to the downspouts. You could have leaves or other debris blocking the flow of water at the seams. Try cleaning the gutters, adjusting the slope, and sealing any holes or cracks in the material to fix this problem.