Gutters may not be the most appealing part of a house; however, they play a vital role in keeping a home safe and dry by extending the roof’s lifespan.
Without gutters, water causes damage to your home’s interior, as well as its foundation. So, if there’s a remarkable gap between your trough and the building, you mustn’t ignore it to avoid further problems.
This article covers what makes troughs shift. I’ll also include the steps on how to fix gutters pulling away from house.
What Causes Gutters to Pull Away From the House?
If your gutters start detaching from the house, check for the cause immediately. Your awareness of why it happens is the key to finding a solution.
Rain gutters may pull away from the house due to the following:
Incorrect Installation
Installation mistakes, including wrong hanger spacing and incorrect gutter placement, are the main reasons for gutters to separate from a house. Sometimes, even the most minor errors can lead to significant issues; that’s why installation must be done by a professional.
Check if your gutters follow these standards:
Hanger Spacing
Experts will use different hanger spacing depending on the local climate. The correct measurement will ensure that the gutter can support massive amounts of rainwater.
These are the standard measurements professionals follow:
- For wet areas: a distance of not more than 18 inches between the hangers.
- For warm regions: the hangers aren’t more than 36 inches away from the center of the gutter.
Gutter Placement
The gutters should not be on the same level as the roof; instead, they should be a few inches lower. That way, the water will travel directly down the gutters, rather than pooling on the top.
Gutters attached to the roofline may leak, damaging the fascia boards. Moreover, rotted fascia can cause the channels to move away.
Weight
As gutters come in different sizes and types, they vary in weight capacity. Sometimes, an unexpected extreme weather condition may bring heavy rainfalls that the trough can’t hold.
Besides the weight of rainwater, foreign debris can also get in the gutters, and the total load may loosen the fasteners. All these factors can affect the strength of the channels’ attachment to the house.
How To Fix Gutters Pulling Away From The House
Follow the following steps to fix gutters:
Step 1: Find the Source of the Issue
Finding the source of the issue will tell you which proper tools and materials are necessary. So, you need to inspect the entire area, and determine what caused the channels to shift.
First, look for spikes that are no longer tightly connected and straight. Then, determine if the distance between hangers is correct.
Next, look for broken brackets and check the condition of your fascia boards. You might need to change them, too, if they’ve already rotted.
Step 2: Assess the Condition of the Gutters
Depending on what caused the gutters to separate from the house, the ways to fix them can range from simple to complex. So, assess the overall condition of your gutters, then determine if you need to reattach or fully replace them.
You can reattach the gutters if it’s a minor issue and the material is still in good condition.
Step 3: Reattach the Gutters
Hiring a professional is the best thing to do, but it doesn’t mean you can’t DIY. Just a friendly reminder; trying to fix the gutters when you’re not an expert is risky, so take precautions.
It’s also crucial to note that a DIY repair can only be a temporary solution, and you might still need help from an old hand later.
The first thing you should do is prepare the tools and materials needed for the repair. You might need a ladder for climbing, an electric drill, hangers, and brackets.
Then, if the fascia boards are still in good condition, you may reattach the gutters by tightening the nails that had loosened.
Other repairs may involve:
Fixing the Hangers
You should trade broken hangers for new ones and adjust their positions to ensure that the gutters are more secure.
If there are errors in hanger spacing, the channels won’t get enough support and can conveniently shift due to weight.
Fixing the Spikes
Check if you need to replace crooked spikes and tighten the loosened ones. You may also use epoxy or similar materials to secure the ends into the holes.
Fixing the Brackets
Fixing gutter brackets can require a lot of work to do. First, remove the old ones and use a sealant to cover the holes.
Then, you’ll have to wait for it to dry before drilling new holes in the same sealed spots. After that, you can reinstall the brackets and secure them using screws.
Finally, you can place the gutter back on the brackets.
Please note that reinstalling brackets can be confusing and worsen the problem if you aren’t an expert. Therefore, you should consider hiring a technician to do the job.
Step 4: Call a Professional
You should avoid DIY repairs if you don’t know where the problem came from or if the repair involves reinstalling brackets or replacing the gutters.
First, reinstalling brackets requires drilling holes and proper measurement. So, if this is the case, hiring an expert is your best option.
Second, replacing gutters can be quite complex. So, by fixing it on your own, you can make mistakes that will further create damage.
You might also miss another issue you should address. However, professionals can check every corner thoroughly, give a more accurate judgment, and recommend a more suitable remedy.
How To Keep Gutters in Good Shape
You can maintain your gutters in three ways:
1 – Regular Cleaning
Cleaning the gutters is an essential part of taking care of your home. This routine can prevent clogging, which might hold weight, causing the channels to move away from the house.
Here are ways you can use to keep your gutters clean:
- Removing debris by hand (wear gloves)
- Using a broom
- Using a blower
- Using a vacuum cleaner
- Using a power washer
- Using a hose
- Installing gutter guards
There are different ways to keep your gutters clean. For one, you can use a sturdy ladder to reach the areas that need cleaning and then manually remove the debris by hand.
Of course, you can utilize any cleaning instrument available at home. Other useful tools would be a broom, a blower, a vacuum cleaner, a hose, and a power washer.
Make a habit of cleaning your troughs at least twice a year, or hiring a local professional to do it for you. You might also want to consider installing gutter guards to prevent leaves and other debris from getting into your gutters.
2 – Inspect for Possible Damage
While you clean the gutters of any dirt and debris, you can check if there are any damages in the different parts, such as the spikes, hangers, brackets, and fascia boards.
Personal inspections might not be enough, so you can also hire an expert to investigate thoroughly. A professional can detect installation mistakes or wrong gutter sizes for your house.
3 – Update Your Gutters
Rain gutters come in various sizes, styles, and materials. If you encounter any problems, ask a professional to assess if the one attached to your house is suitable.
These are the designs of gutters and their pros and cons:
K-style channels are known for their convenience, functionality, and versatility. This type is popular because it’s easy to install, even for a non-expert.
However, the K-style gutters have disadvantages too. They are not easy to clean and may start growing mold without maintenance.
You can’t install half-round gutters without an expert’s help. This type of channel comes with more screws and brackets, and one wrong move in the installation may lead to damage.
The box-style gutters are ideal for houses with large roofs as they can hold massive rainwater.
Fascia gutters must be installed by a professional. These channel designs are customized to suit your home design.
Final Thoughts
Gutters are essential in protecting your home from any interior or exterior damage. But several factors, such as installation mistakes or weather conditions, may affect its functionality.
Trying to fix gutters pulling away from the house can be challenging. Although you can try doing repairs, it will probably be temporary.
The best person to repair gutters is a professional.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. As a homeowner, I love working on projects around the house, and as a father, I love investigating various ways to keep my family safe (whether or not this involves tech). I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.