Rain or shine, your home must be able to protect you from the outside world. Various parts of your house play an essential role in maintaining your safety and comfort. As one of your home’s most crucial features, your roof is built above your head to safeguard you from sunlight, rain, snow, and other external elements.
There’s a lot of thought that goes into the construction of a home, and with good reasons too. After all, it’s always better to use high-quality materials for your roof so that it can last for a long time.
Installation is just the beginning, though. It’s paramount to observe regular cleaning and maintenance that can be done by professionals like D’Angelo & Sons to guarantee that the gutter system continues to protect your home both structurally and architecturally and prevent basement flooding.
To give you an idea of why gutter maintenance is something you should give attention to as a homeowner, let’s take a look at how much a gutter repair costs and why you should avoid it as much as possible.
Gutter Repair Costs
According to the data presented by Home Advisor, the costs for a gutter repair start from USD$177 to USD$531 for most homes in Oakville, Canada; hence, an average of USD$350. Low-end gutter structures typically cost USD$85, while high-end, complex gutter system repairs are usually priced at USD$1,050. However, take note that the price varies according to various factors that’ll be discussed later.
Furthermore, labor repair costs may range from USD$4 to USD$30 for every linear foot. On another end, gutter system replacements may take USD$1,600 to USD$2,175, which is a huge expense that can be avoided with regular checkups and proper maintenance. For a more detailed breakdown of expenses, here are the associated costs for repairing common parts, types, and damages of a gutter:
1. Downspout Repair
The downspout of a gutter system takes care of precipitation collected in the gutter by leading it to your water drainage system. If your downspout isn’t working properly, it may lead to water overflow, flooding, pipe breakage, and excessive soil moisture. All of these are causes of grave structural damage.
Repair for this portion of your gutter system can range between USD$5 to USD$11 per installation. For a typical 200-feet home, you’d need about six installations.
If a downspout is severely damaged, getting a replacement would be the best solution. Downspout removal and disposal are marked at USD$100, and the replacement starts at USD$5 to $USD11. Also, the average costs per linear foot of the downspout vary depending on the material used— whether vinyl, aluminum, or galvanized steel. These are priced at USD$5 to USD$8, USD$5 to USD$7, and USD$10 to USD$11, respectively.
2. Box Gutter Repair
Box gutters refer to a type of gutter system that is easier to clean and collects a higher volume of water. However, they’re more complicated than traditional gutter systems as they’re built into your roof’s structure. Box gutter repair costs are estimated to be USD$20 to USD$50 per linear foot regardless if it’s made of copper, galvanized steel, or stainless steel linings.
If your box gutter has a curved structure, expect to pay USD$70 to USD$100 per linear foot of installation and USD$40 to USD$50 per linear foot of materials.
3. Repair of Surrounding Surfaces
Moreover, the surfaces and materials surrounding your gutter may also have existing water damage if the gutter itself is bound for repair. Damaged fascia boards supporting the gutter, for instance, should be fixed along with repairing or reinstalling the gutter, which can vary from USD$60 to USD$20 per linear foot.
Factors Affecting Gutter Repair Costs
There are no exact costs of repairing a gutter system, but asking for a free estimate or quote from different repair professionals can give you a better idea of how much to prepare. Your home’s height is a significant factor of how much professionals will charge you, with one-story houses starting at USD$170 and houses with three or more stories at USD$500.
Additionally, the condition and degree of water damage also affect repair costs. A more difficult gutter repair job will undeniably cost more. The material used to replace the gutter, whether galvanized or seamless metal, also impacts the price. If you’re looking into seamless metal gutters, you’ll have to pay more at USD$300, as compared to a galvanized metal, which is USD$255. Although the former type costs more, galvanized metal gutters have guaranteed durability, flexibility, and corrosion resistance.
Importance of Rain Gutter Systems In Your Home
Water is a necessity of life, but it can cause detrimental damage to structures like your home if not managed properly. During the rainy season, your home is susceptible to water damage due to the possibilities of flooding, seepage, and leaks. When water slides down to your roof, an effective rain gutter system will divert water from your ceiling and walls and away from your foundation.
It should be your priority to invest in a well-functioning rain gutter system because you don’t want to experience major problems during rainy seasons and end up spending more on repairs.
Gutter Care and Maintenance
The rain gutter system can be your first line of defense against potential water damage due to heavy rains. They provide a way for the water to flow away from your home to prevent soaking the property into the water, which leads to structural damage.
For instance, gutters can catch dirt, debris, leaves, and other elements that could build up over time. Without consistent cleaning, they can be infested with rodents and insects as well as filled with mildew and mold—which are much more expensive and challenging problems to solve. Also, this buildup can cause water blockage and lead to overflow. An overflow of water in the roof increases the risk of structural failure because the spilling water is out of control most of the time, causing severe and permanent damage to your home.
As a homeowner, you should learn more about maintaining your gutter systems to prevent future damages and costly repairs. Professional cleaning and maintenance will be your safer and more efficient option. Depending on the difficulty of the work, gutter cleaning costs may range from USD$75 to USD$225.
Bottom Line
Rain gutter systems are a valuable part of your roof that is both functional and advantageous for your storm and drainage system, but many homeowners tend to overlook them. As with any other construction project, it’s best to enlist the help of professional gutter repair specialists since they can offer a better quality of work and peace of mind without breaking your bank.