5 Reasons to Avoid DIY Gutter Repair
If you’ve been tempted to type into the Google search bar “Gutter repair near me” but have stopped yourself because you feel a DIY project will be better, it may be wise to reconsider. Reaching out to local gutter companies will save you a lot of time, money and possibly even prevent injuries or death.
A DIY gutter repair may seem like you’re saving on the cost of repairing gutters and downspouts, but you might actually end up spending more money than you’ve intended in the end. Here are five reasons why you should avoid DIY gutter repair.
1. You Could Get Severely Injured
Using a ladder may seem simple, but it can be incredibly dangerous, even for professionals. A fall from a ladder can land you in the hospital with serious neck and back injuries if you’re lucky. If you’re unlucky, the fall can be fatal.
Conditions worsen as it gets colder outside because the roof becomes icy. And this is the time of the year when most people begin working on their gutters to prepare for storms and heavy snow. Many people think they won’t get hurt from an icy roof or icy ladder rungs because they have protective equipment. But it is always better safe than sorry.
If this doesn’t scare you at all, just think of the cost of the medical bills. It’ll cost way more than the cost it would have taken to just hire a professional gutter installation provider.
2. You’ll Save Money and Time
It seems like when you DIY projects, you’ll save more money than getting them professionally done. This can be the case for certain projects, but definitely not when it comes to gutter repair. You’ll have to purchase what feels like an infinite number of supplies. Downspouts, gloves, hoses, hangars, and so much more. And as the project progresses, you may realize that you need supplies that weren’t even on your list.
So many trips to and from your local hardware store will take up a lot of time in your day. All this could have been avoided by reaching out to a professional. The cost that you spent on your supplies could have also been omitted. You may think purchasing your own supplies is cost-effective, but you’re actually spending more money buying single products than buying in bulk like professionals.
3. DIY Repair Isn’t As Easy As You Think
Clearing gunk from your gutters is usually a simple task for most people. Suiting up with a good, tough pair of rubber gloves is usually sufficient enough for this type of task.
But trying to set your gutters on the pitch to make sure that runoff is flowing in the right direction is not so simple. Also, you can try to prepare as much as possible, but you never quite know what you’ll find hiding in your gutters. You can discover mold, bugs, and sometimes even animals that may be a danger to you or your family.
If your repairing process involves re-attaching your gutter system to your home, you might end up not attaching it correctly. And if you’re new to gutter repair, you might not even notice until it’s too late. This means that rainwater will begin collecting and cause damage to your roof and siding. A local gutter repair shop, on the other hand, will know the perfect spot to attach and set the gutter to avoid this.
4. DIY Repair Comes with No Warranty
Repairing your gutter system yourself won’t come with any kind of warranty. If something goes wrong down the road, you won’t have any coverage, and the expenses can rack up quickly. And even if you did an amazing job with the repair, unforeseen circumstances happen all the time. The weather stops for no one.
If our gutter system breaks down during the winter or other rainy seasons, this poses an even bigger issue. You won’t have any protection from rainfall or snow for your siding or roof and can run into problems with mold or leakage.
You never know what will happen five or ten years down the line, so it’s best to have some sort of protection. Most gutter companies offer some sort of warranty so you won’t have to worry about additional expenses should anything happen to your gutters.
5. Equipment is Hard to Haul and Dispose of
Gutters are difficult to haul even if you have a spacious SUV. So you’re left wondering that to do with the damaged portion of the gutter you’ve taken off. Most trash companies won’t even take gutter pieces, so you have to find a dumpsite to take them.
Since your car will likely not be big enough, you might have to rent a truck. This is extra money you could have just spent to have a professional repair your gutters for you. Also, sometimes dumpsites are difficult to find, depending on the area you live in. You might even have to travel a long distance, racking up gas costs, which is just another unnecessary expense that could’ve been avoided.
Conclusion
A DIY gutter repair project might seem like a great idea. You might believe you’ll save on the cost of gutters and downspouts or be able to get the job done more quickly. But repairing gutters yourself poses many significant risks. You can hurt yourself incredibly bad and it could even be fatal.
Your wallet can also hurt. You likely won’t be saving nearly as much money as you had intended. You could even be paying more money doing a DIY repair job than you would on using a professional service. With costs racking up with each item you need to get, it’s best to just spend that time toward finding a gutter service near you.
If you’re in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, or Tennessee, reach out to Storm Master to get your gutters repaired. You’ll save money, avoid an emergency room bill, and have a warranty on your new and improved gutter system.