Why Seamless Gutters Are So Important
Gutter systems are necessary installations even if you don't live in a place that sees much rain. Though their main purpose is to lead rainwater away from the sides of a house, they do the same with debris like fallen leaves, twigs and dirt.
Gutters are primarily sectional and seamless. Sectional types are built in sections with one length joining another. With seamless, the gutters are a continuous length joined at the corners. What does this mean for you? Why should you choose seamless over sectional?
Think of a pipe running alongside a wall. If it has sections anything passing through it is likely to leak through the joints unless welded shut. Sectional gutters work the same way and since they can't be welded (with vinyl and wood, at least) you're left with possible leakage during rains. This wouldn't be a problem initially but over time, gutters warp and regular wear and tear lead to expansion and contraction to really mess with the joints. This in turn would entail repair or replacement every few years.
Seamless gutters, on the other hand, are whole and the corners to which they join others are the only areas prone to some leakage. However, even they don't throw up problems until much later on when regular wear and tear emerge by which time repair or replacement is needed.
Small leaks may not seem like a big deal since most of the water is kept away from a house's walls. However, they grow over time and you have a worrying problem before you know it. Extensive repair and replacement is expensive and a total waste if they must be done much before gutters run the course of their lives. Seamless gutters can help postpone this by leaving little to no gaps for water to pass through.
Leaks aren't the only problem with sectional gutters. The joints tend to accumulate dirt which is only natural but troublesome nonetheless. As grime builds it can pose a risk to gutters by leaving the way open for corrosion and pest infestation. The latter is a very real problem but one which can be minimized by using seamless gutters.
Both sectional and seamless gutters can be made of metals like aluminum and steel, wood, vinyl and plastic. Of all, vinyl proves to be very efficient because it's affordable, easy to install (and replace), completely resistant to corrosion and rust. Since gutters are directly subjected to the effects of water and debris, this proves to be a boon and the deciding factor of why vinyl is among the best material for gutters.
If vinyl isn't to your liking, aluminum and stainless steel are a good second choice. They're pricier, no doubt, but very sturdy. The only two serious drawbacks are needing to have them professional installed and their natural proneness to rust and corrosion. However, modern manufacturing methods have negated much of this tendency so you aren't likely to see a problem anytime soon.
Wood is an obviously poor choice though it was used extensively back when aluminum and steel weren't discovered. It doesn't last for more than a few years and it's wouldn't be surprising if you faced a pest infestation problem too. If you must have gutters that should complement old architecture, choose copper which is very expensive but extremely durable.
Gutters are primarily sectional and seamless. Sectional types are built in sections with one length joining another. With seamless, the gutters are a continuous length joined at the corners. What does this mean for you? Why should you choose seamless over sectional?
Think of a pipe running alongside a wall. If it has sections anything passing through it is likely to leak through the joints unless welded shut. Sectional gutters work the same way and since they can't be welded (with vinyl and wood, at least) you're left with possible leakage during rains. This wouldn't be a problem initially but over time, gutters warp and regular wear and tear lead to expansion and contraction to really mess with the joints. This in turn would entail repair or replacement every few years.
Seamless gutters, on the other hand, are whole and the corners to which they join others are the only areas prone to some leakage. However, even they don't throw up problems until much later on when regular wear and tear emerge by which time repair or replacement is needed.
Small leaks may not seem like a big deal since most of the water is kept away from a house's walls. However, they grow over time and you have a worrying problem before you know it. Extensive repair and replacement is expensive and a total waste if they must be done much before gutters run the course of their lives. Seamless gutters can help postpone this by leaving little to no gaps for water to pass through.
Leaks aren't the only problem with sectional gutters. The joints tend to accumulate dirt which is only natural but troublesome nonetheless. As grime builds it can pose a risk to gutters by leaving the way open for corrosion and pest infestation. The latter is a very real problem but one which can be minimized by using seamless gutters.
Both sectional and seamless gutters can be made of metals like aluminum and steel, wood, vinyl and plastic. Of all, vinyl proves to be very efficient because it's affordable, easy to install (and replace), completely resistant to corrosion and rust. Since gutters are directly subjected to the effects of water and debris, this proves to be a boon and the deciding factor of why vinyl is among the best material for gutters.
If vinyl isn't to your liking, aluminum and stainless steel are a good second choice. They're pricier, no doubt, but very sturdy. The only two serious drawbacks are needing to have them professional installed and their natural proneness to rust and corrosion. However, modern manufacturing methods have negated much of this tendency so you aren't likely to see a problem anytime soon.
Wood is an obviously poor choice though it was used extensively back when aluminum and steel weren't discovered. It doesn't last for more than a few years and it's wouldn't be surprising if you faced a pest infestation problem too. If you must have gutters that should complement old architecture, choose copper which is very expensive but extremely durable.
