Home repairs and replacements can quickly sneak up on homeowners. Whether you just purchased a slightly older home or a new construction home, repairs and replacements are inevitable regardless of how young or old the property is.
While some homeowners have minor repairs and replacements to start (think leaky faucets, HVAC tune ups or repairs, painting, etc.) some have major repairs or replacements that simply can’t be put off (think a brand-new roof, new flooring, new plumbing, etc.).
Along with these minor and major repairs comes the inevitable… replacing the gutters. While you may not have to worry about replacing gutters depending upon how long you plan on owning your home or the condition of the gutters when you move in, they’ll need to be replaced at some point.
Just how often do gutters need to be replaced? It depends on the material of the gutters and the weather conditions where you live. Keep reading to learn how long your gutters will last and when you should replace them.
How often do gutters need to be replaced?
Generally speaking, gutters should be replaced on average every 20 years, but this varies greatly depending on a couple of different factors. While some gutters outperform others (K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter Guards will last much longer than traditional gutters) the average lifespan of a gutter system for traditional gutters is right around that 20-year mark.
What are some factors that determine whether or not your gutters need to be replaced sooner than later? The material or type used and the weather conditions where you live are huge factors that can determine the lifespan of your gutters.
Factors that determine how long your gutters will last
Material of Gutters
Gutters are available in different types of materials: aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, and vinyl. The type of material your gutters are is a major factor in determining how long they’ll last. Take a look at the chart below to determine how long your gutters will last based on the material alone:
Of course, the table above is a general guide and shouldn’t be the only thing you rely on when determining whether or not your gutters should be replaced.
Our K-Guard Gutter System is made of heavy-duty aluminum that is guaranteed transferable for the life of the home. Installing K-Guard Gutters will last much longer than traditional open-top gutters, saving you money in the long run.
Weather Conditions
Mother nature can wreak havoc on homes, especially when you live in a place like the Colorado region. Not only do we experience damaging blizzards, but we also see ice storms and severe thunderstorms roll through our part of the U.S. We have active weather patterns here in Colorado and your gutters could be affected by these weather conditions.
During wintertime, snow and ice are a threat to all homeowners. Not only can these weather conditions be a nuisance to shovel and keep at bay but they can negatively impact your gutters. When heavy snow and ice dams are left to collect on top of traditional open top gutters, the weight can pull the gutters away from the home resulting in some serious damage. With how much snow we can get here in Colorado during the winter months, ice dams and heavy snow are major threats to a gutter system. Therefore, these hazardous weather conditions could be shortening the lifespan of your gutter system.
During spring, summer, and fall, severe storms such as thunderstorms and tornadoes brings strong wind gusts, heavy rain and hail that can damage traditional gutter systems. Because K-Guard is built to handle heavy rain (they can handle a minimum of 22 inches of rain per hour!) and never clog, they’re able to handle whatever weather conditions mother nature throws at them.
Now that you’re aware of how long traditional gutter systems last versus K-Guard, are you ready to make the switch? Twenty years can pass in the blink of an eye, but when K-Guard is guaranteed transferable for the life of the home, there’s no comparison when it comes to the lifespan of traditional open top gutters versus the K-Guard Gutter System.
Not sure if you should install K-Guard with winter just around the corner? Our gutter system comes with 100% “no pull away/fall off” warranty, meaning your gutter system will withstand any snow, ice or wind conditions. The K-Guard Gutter System is the best choice for all homeowners, but especially those in Colorado who experience harsh winter weather.
Call (303) 476-4323 for your free estimate. We look forward to installing our K-Guard Gutter System on your home!