Proper shedding of water doesn’t end when it leaves your Calgary roof.  Water must then be directed to where it can freely drain onto the ground via eavestroughs or gutters and downpipes and away from the foundation, without affecting the structure or the land around it.  This is one of the most important factors in maintaining the long term health of your home.  Poorly or improperly managed water can cause all sorts of issues – some slight and some catastrophic – and that’s why it’s important to hire the right Calgary eavestrough installer (sometimes referred to as Calgary gutter installer).
Here are the most common problems, starting from least severe and ascending:

Dripping or Leaking Eavestroughs

•   Dripping eavestroughs can be sometimes pretty harmless if the water is landing on the grass, but if it lands on a sidewalk or driveway in the winter the hazard can be significant.  90% of the time the leak will originate from a corner or and end cap, but sometimes the eavestrough may be sloped properly or the drain is clogged.  The most common problem we address during a Calgary eavestrough repair are the corners and end caps of the gutters.

Sagging or eroding soil

•   Once the water leaves the eavestrough it is on the ground.  Slope is crucial in this process, as water must a path away from the foundation instead of towards.  Inadequate slope means the water will remain in the soil.  Constant freeze/thaw cycles cause the soil to expand and contract, and over time a depression forms and grows, serving to keep water at the foundation instead of channeling it away.

Water entering the structure

•   Clogged eavestrough or improperly sloped eavestroughs can sometimes cause the water to flow over the BACK of the eavestrough and work it’s way into the home through the rafters and down.  Clogs are usually caused by leaves, snow & ice, or children’s toys.

Leaking through the foundation

•   If water is unable to run away from the foundation then it can become trapped against it, working its way through cracks or pores and into the home.  After a few decades concrete foundations are completely cured, and are susceptible to water pushing through and into the home.

Cracked foundation

•   If water is improperly diverted for a long period of time the soil around the foundation will begin to shift and sag, and parts of the foundation may become unsupported.  In some cases the added stress will fracture the concrete and you now have a homeowners nightmare.  While cracked foundations aren’t common they also aren’t uncommon, and should be avoided at all costs.

The most important part of fixing or mitigating these issues is picking the right Calgary Eavestrough contractor.  One who knows the ins-and-outs of the job, and who takes into account the architecture and the landscape around the structure.  One who stand by their work and gets it right – the first time.  That’s why you should contact the pros at Stalwart Roofing if you’re looking for eavestrough replacement or eavestrough repair.

 Eavestroughs are generally maintenance free, other than when trees hang over your house and clog them up.  After a decade or more, problems can arise that require Calgary eavestrough repairs.  The approach to repairs varies depending on the materials the troughs are made out of:

• Steel
• Aluminium
• Copper

 Steel Eavestrough & Gutter:

Steel eavestroughs & gutters are protected from deterioration by the factory-applied paint that covers them, however the troughs must be cut at the corners and end caps, and these areas are no longer protected.  After about 8-10 years the rust will become evident on all joints and corners, and often on the inside of the eavestrough at the bottom.  Depending on how the Calgary eavestrough contractor installed the trough – whether it was sloped properly or not – organic matter will sit in the ends or the corners and accelerate the deterioration process.  Leak repairs in this situation are only temporary, as oxidization will creep under the paint and cause a channel for water to travel.  Eavestrough repairs to steel eavestroughs should be expected to last 1-2 years.  Steel is advantageous because it is slightly more rigid than aluminum, and is therefore less likely to be affected by hail, however the susceptibility to rust is a detriment to long-term performance.

Aluminum Eavestrough & Aluminum Gutter:

Aluminum eavestroughs & aluminum gutters comprise about 85% of Calgary gutter installations.  Aluminum eavestroughing just like steel is painted with a protective coating although – unlike steel – scratches in the coating are only cosmetic and the product underneath remains unaffected.  Aluminum is slightly softer than steel, so the gutter installation is a bit more susceptible to hail damage leading to visible damage and to insurance claims.  Because of the long-term resistance of aluminum to wear and to rust, leaky gutters or leaky eavestroughs can be easily repaired and will last for years or decades more.

Copper Eavestrough & Gutters

Copper provides a very long-term answer to Calgary Eavestrough installation.  More rigid than aluminum, it stands the test of time, although every now and again they need an application of cow urine (we’re not even joking!) to help with shine.   Copper is typically prohibitively expensive for large applications, and rarely gets used.