Thunder rumbles in the distance, trees sway in the wind, and the evening sky darkens. The clean scent of rain comes and, for a moment, home feels like the most comfortable place to be…

Until you remember the headache called your gutters.

Water leaks from the couple of broken gutter seams you’ve been meaning to fix, drenching the fascia board. And now, the comfort of home is replaced by the anxious realization that unruly rainwater is making it’s damaging advance into your house.

Working rain gutters: Your first line of defense against rainwater.

Gutters move harmful rainwater away from vulnerable areas — the roof, windows, and even the foundation — protecting your home and saving you from costly repairs. Controlling runoff reduces the risk of leakage.

But not all rain gutters are created equal. They need to be located well and in good condition to work properly.

If your rain gutters are:

  • Overflowing when they aren’t clogged
  • Leaking
  • Rusting through
  • Falling apart
  • All of the above

It may be time to get them replaced! The first step is to get an accurate inspection by a professional to ensure there aren’t any deeper issues you need to be aware of.

Once your home has been inspected (especially the connection points around the gutters), the next decision becomes whether to integrate a seamless or sectional gutter system.

Wait, what about all the "DIYers"?

If you’re a Do-It-Yourself enthusiast, running a thorough inspection of your gutter system shouldn’t be a problem. Being used to providing routine maintenance, you’ve got some experience to look behind the gutter problems that show up (see the list above). And every now then, you’ll find you only need some gutter tape, a few patching sections, sealant, and a few replacement screws.

For others that are less handy, it’s quite alright to stay planted on the ground! When gutter problems are ignored or overlooked, they risk creating larger problems. Did we mention the 20-foot climb…?

A little bit of Gutter History(for the “so-inclined”)

Originally, gutters were only sold in sections, or pieces, called “sectional gutters”.

These sections connected one to another, across the entire roof. And at each seam of connecting gutter sections, water would pour out (it wasn’t a perfect fit); so, a temporary sealant was used to keep water inside the gutters, and not on the house.

This system allowed for the mass production of gutter pieces, as they could be cut and sealed together to fit just about any home.

As time ebbed on, homeowners experienced a breaking down of the sealant and the seams. This created a need for added maintenance costs, upkeep, and the potential for water damage to a home.

The Seamless Gutter system

In the early 1960s, new technology allowed for the birthing of the “gutter coiling” machine. Storing rolls of aluminum (gutter coil) at one end, the machine would take lifeless aluminum sheets and form them into beautiful, custom-formed gutters, in any length needed.

This new gutter-tech was dubbed the “Seamless Gutter System”.

Instead of using multiple sections, like sectional gutters, seamless gutters used one long piece of aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper, customized to length and installed as one piece (until you get to a corner or the downspout; they are separate pieces.)

Now, we’d be remiss not to point out that there are connection points; but these are drastically less than a sectional gutter system: every corner and every downspout. That’s it. Every other gutter section is just one long gutter.

And one long gutter requires far less maintenance and care. (Couple that with some gutter guards, and your system would be almost maintenance free!)

The best possible performance in your overall rainwater solution (the total system that carries rainwater away from your house), starts with seamless gutters.

They’re your front-line defender against water runoff, giving you control over its flow. And without the notorious seam and sealant break-down of sectional gutters, you don’t have to worry about losing that control.

So, why consider seamless gutters

We’ve said it above, but the one-section structure of seamless gutters removes the need for maintenance and the fear of break down (and water damage). Here are a few other considerations:

  • No seams, no leaks. And no leaks, no foundational damage to your home.
  • Get the perfect fit for your home: seamless gutters are cut on-site, dimensioned for your home.
  • Visual Appeal (more on this, below): with that perfect fit comes the visual appeal of continuity; your seamless gutters will look like they were designed as part of your home build.
  • Long-lasting: seamless .032 gauge aluminum, coated with uber-durable paint, means gutters built to last.

They Look Better, too: Styles & Colors Of Seamless Gutters

The beauty of the seamless front is an ultra clean, minimal design, adding to the curb appeal of your home. Their smooth, sleek appearance compliments the roof lines of any home. Contrast that with the bulk and “chunky” feel of sectional gutters.

Add to the minimal style, an almost infinite selection of colors and your gutter system will coordinate perfectly with your siding, stucco, fascia, or whatever exterior trim you have.

A quick note on painting gutters: Generally speaking, seamless gutters are painted by the manufacturer, during production. This ensures the longest life possible for your gutter investment.

Making Your Gutter Replacement A Seamless Transition

Custom made to meet your home’s specific needs, seamless gutters need to be installed professionally to mitigate risk and ensure they’re installed properly (so your home isn’t harmed by misdirected rainwater).

If you’re in the RDU area, our Chimneys Plus professionals bring an in-depth experience and expertise to every install of a new seamless gutter system. You’ll get the quality and security you need to feel right at home!

If you’re not, feel free to leave a comment below to start a discussion on any questions or thoughts you may have about your gutter system.

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