Locals and tourists know that the Denver area sees its fair share of severe weather. From snow storms to severe thunderstorms and everything in between, the weather is an everchanging and potentially severe risk each season here in Denver, Colorado Springs, Littleton, and nearby cities.
Though we welcome the rainfall to water our gardens, snow to enjoy winter activities, and thunderstorms for their ability to cool down a hot summer day, these storms can turn severe real quick. Colorado ranks for the second highest state to report hail damage according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Each season has the potential for severe weather. Gutters can easily become damaged from severe weather and end up being a headache for homeowners to replace. Do you know if your gutters can survive the next severe storm? Keep reading to learn more.
What Damage Can Occur to My Gutters?
Whether it’s high wind gusts, heavy rainfall, hail, ice storms – you name it, Colorado’s probably had it. Severe storms in and around the Denver area can be extremely powerful, causing extreme damage to our homes including the roof, siding, and even our gutters.
So what damage can occur to gutters as a result of severe weather? While severe storms can cause minor damage, they often cause significant damage. They’re known to tear gutters right off a home, bringing the soffit and fascia boards with them depending on how they were mounted to the home. In addition to ripping them right off the home, severe storms can dent gutters and cause them to overflow and sag as a result of torrential rain
The severity of gutter damage depends on how severe the storms were and the following:
- How durable the material of the gutter system is
- How the gutter system was installed
- If the gutter system is of good quality or has damage from previous storms
Gutter damage is no fun and often results in contacting your home owner’s insurance company, reporting a claim, and waiting weeks or even months until the claim goes through and the repairs can be made. It could be an even bigger nightmare for homeowners who don’t have their gutter systems insured.
Can My Gutters Withstand Severe Storms?
To determine if your gutters can withstand severe storms, you’ll want to ask yourself a few questions.
For one, how old is your gutter system and does it have previous damage? If it’s in its teens then it may not able to withstand severe storms depending on the type of material and quality of the gutter system. Typically speaking, gutter systems last around 20 years. If it’s an older system it most likely has previous storm damage from past storms throughout the years and the material may not be as durable. If there are existing dents from hail storms, loose brackets, or sagging, then the chances it’ll withstand the next severe storm are slim.
Secondly, your gutter system may not survive the next storm depending on the style. Half-round gutters or open-top gutters have no covering leaving the inside of the gutter wholly exposed. Half-round gutters often experience damage from severe storms due to trapping and collecting debris thrown around in high wind gusts, being torn away from the home due to strong wind, and limited protection against drainage issues. Whether it’s snowing, raining, or an ice storm, half-round gutters have smaller gutters and downspouts that don’t allow them to flush stormwater at a rapid pace.
Third, is your gutter system sectional or seamless? Sectional gutter systems have seams throughout the system, connecting each section of the gutter system with joints, brackets, nuts, and bolts. They’re more likely to become damaged from a severe storm because they’re prone to leaks and clogs. Sectional gutter systems are often mounted to the home’s soffit and fascia boards or even the roof, causing a domino effect to these components.
How Can I Prevent Damage?
While the risk will always be there for storm damage if the storm is severe enough, there are some things you can do to help prevent damage to your half-round gutter system. Cleaning your gutters often can help prevent sagging and overflowing gutters that can weigh down the gutter, creating unnecessary pressure that can cause the gutter to tear away from the home during a severe storm.
If you have sectional gutters, make sure that all the hardware is tight and secure. Tightening the bolts and screws on your gutter system can help prevent it from detaching from components during severe storms that cause strong wind gusts, torrential rain, and pelting hail.
These preventative measures are more like a bandage to cover up previous damage to the gutter system. The easiest solution to prevent damage to your gutter system is to replace them and install the K-Guard System. Our gutter product is a complete system that offers superior protection against year-round storms including severe summer storms, blizzards, ice storms, and strong winds.
The K-Guard system is so durable that it can handle a minimum of 23 inches of rain per hour, making it strong enough to stand up to torrential downpours. Our curved hood will keep flying debris from severe storms like leaves, twigs, and seeds out of the gutters, only allowing water to flow throughout the system, preventing clogs. Another bonus? Our gutters are mounted above the floodplain, not on the soffit and fascia boards, and will never void your home’s roof warranty.
Contact our team today to learn more about the K-Guard System or call (970) 432-8093. K-Guard is the premiere gutter company in Colorado, providing a leaf-free gutter solution for homeowners for many years. We proudly install the K-Guard Gutter System across the state of Colorado including, but not limited to, the following locations: Denver, Colorado Springs, Littleton, Centennial, Aurora, Boulder, Castle Rock, Broomfield, Fort Collins and so much more! Schedule your free estimate today.
