If you live in the Midwest, then you know our area is susceptible to nearly every type of extreme weather condition. Heavy spring rains. Tornadoes. Harsh winter snowstorms. And let’s not forget summer hail storms. All of these things combined batter your home’s exterior every year.
But few homeowners realize that hail can actually do significant damage to your gutters.
While you may take the time to thoroughly inspect your roof and windows after every hail storm, your gutter system is often an afterthought. However, gutter problems caused by hail can wreak havoc on your roof and the rest of your home. Here’s how.
1. Spotting Hail Damage On Gutters
Inspecting your home and yard after a hail storm is always important, but especially so when looking for damage to your gutter system. Most gutter installations use aluminum or thin steel gutters. These materials can dent easily when exposed to impact damage. Spotting hail damage on gutters early can save you from costly roof and foundation repairs later.
The top indicators your gutters have hail damage are:
- Dents/Bumps: Like your home’s exterior, hail can dent and ding gutters and downspouts. While this may seem cosmetic, dents can actually slow water drainage and cause pooling and overflow.
- Loose Granules: Along with your gutters, hail strikes your asphalt roofing shingles and knocks the surface granules loose. If you notice a large build up of granules in your gutters or at the bottom of your downspouts, your roof and gutters were likely struck.
- Pulling Away From Fascia: Large hail storms that produce hail the size of golf balls or larger can bend or loosen gutter fasteners. Without gutter brackets, your gutters will no longer catch runoff when it rains.
- Cracked/Broken Seams: Traditional gutters (not seamless) use clips to connect gutter sections together. When impacted with large hail, these seals can break, causing instant leaks the next time it rains.
2. Secondary Damage Caused By Damaged Gutters
Does it really matter if your gutters are dinged up a little? Unfortunately, yes. The gutters on your home work with other systems to prevent water damage. When gutters fail, water drains improperly and causes a domino effect of issues on your property.
Roof Damage and Fascia Decay
Once gutters are dented from hail impacts or pop free from the house, water can no longer drain efficiently through your downspouts. Instead, rainwater and melting snow back up under your roofline. Not only will this cause wooden fascia boards to rot within a few seasons, but your roof decking will begin to decay.
Eventually, you’ll be forced to replace your roof early, pay for costly mold remediation in your attic and deal with major roof leaks. By keeping your gutters in pristine shape, you’re actually prolonging the life of your roof.
Foundation Damage and Flooding
Gutters and downspouts were specifically designed to move rainwater away from your home’s foundation. If hail damages your gutters, causes them to leak or prevents them from draining correctly, all that water will pour down the sides of your home and pool around your foundation. In fact, poor drainage is a leading cause of foundation failure. Hydrostatic pressure from pooling water against foundation walls can cause cracks, shifting, and catastrophic basement flooding.
Sidewalk and Exterior Wear
When gutters overflow, that water does not just fall to the ground. It runs right down your exterior siding. Soon, wood siding will rot, vinyl siding will stain or warp, and brick mortar joints will crack and break apart. Plus, all that dripping water splashes dirt and mud onto your home, leaving your exterior looking dingy and unmaintained.
3. Why Midwest Homeowners Should Care About Gutter Repair
Taking care of hail damage right away is more than just keeping your home looking shiny and new. It actually makes financial sense too. Statistics show that businesses and homeowners who regularly maintain their gutter systems save thousands in secondary damages.
By repairing or replacing your hail-damaged gutters immediately, you can:
- Avoid structural water damage: Water should never pool around your foundation or roof decking. By preventing pooling water, you protect the structural integrity of your home.
- Protect your home’s value: DIY’ers and flies-by-night contractors leave dents, dings, and water stains. Keeping your exterior maintained prevents your home from looking drab and poorly cared for, thereby protecting your home’s value.
- Maximize your insurance payout: Don’t wait to file a storm damage insurance claim. The longer you wait, the more likely your insurance company will refuse to pay for secondary damage like slow leaks or foundation cracks. Take care of your gutters immediately, file that claim, and your insurance company will pay to have your gutters repaired or replaced.
4. Let Guarantee Gutter Keep Your Home Safe from Hail Damage
Here at Guarantee Gutter, we are proud members of the Midwest Companies family. We know how harmful Midwest storms can be to your home and property. That’s why we work hard to find storm damage other contractors miss and provide long-lasting solutions to protect your home year-round.
Need that small gutter repair to keep your system flush with your home? Or maybe your gutters suffered major damage and need to be replaced with sturdy, seamless gutters? Either way, our trained technicians are here to help. We only use premium materials designed to withstand harsh Midwest hail and rain storms.
Don’t wait for a small problem to escalate into a costly foundation repair. Schedule your professional inspection with Guarantee Gutter today.
FAQs About Hail Damage to Gutters
Q: How big of hail will hurt my gutters?
A: This depends on your gutter material, but hail as small as a quarter can dent your gutters and loosen gutter fasteners. High wind is another culprit. If your gutters were struck by golf ball-sized hail or bigger, it’s best to have them professionally inspected.
Q: Will my insurance cover hail damage repairs for my gutters?
A: Yes, in most cases. Standard homeowners insurance policies include coverage for hail and wind damage. We highly recommend letting a professional Guarantee Gutter employee inspect the damage and write up a detailed report for your insurance company.
Q: Can my gutters just be popped back into place?
A: If gutters are dinged up but not cracked, then they can usually be popped back into place. However, remember that metal gets stretched when dinged by hail. Severely damaged gutters will likely need to be replaced because they have been weakened by trauma. Also, if seams are broken, replacement is always the safest and most cost-effective solution long-term.
Q: How do I know if pooling water around my foundation is caused by gutters?
A: The next time it rains heavily, go outside and watch your gutters. If you notice overflowing edges, leaking seams or dripping behind the gutter and onto the fascia board, your gutters aren’t working properly and could be causing foundation pooling.
Q: Why should I install seamless gutters?
A: Unlike traditional gutters, seamless gutters are measured and cut to fit your home on-site. With no seams or joints, there’s almost no way for your gutters to leak or fall apart when Mother Nature comes knocking.