Have you ever considered how summer’s heat and humidity impact your home? You’d be surprised. One area that bears the brunt of summer weather is your home’s gutters. Heat and gutters don’t play nice together. Summer heat and humidity can lead to warping, cracking, rusting, and leaking of gutters.
We’ll provide practical tips and solutions to help you safeguard your gutters from these adverse effects. We’ll also show you how to protect your gutters from summer heat so they remain functional and in optimal condition.
How Does Heat Affect Gutters?
Heat causes gutters to expand, while cooler temperatures cause them to contract. This constant expansion and contraction cycle ultimately leads to warping, cracking, or loosening of your gutter system. It also compromises the effectiveness of the gutter’s functionality when it comes to water flow and drainage.
Additionally, heat impacts roofing materials and can cause shingles to curl or buckle, affecting their alignment. From there, misaligned shingles can disrupt water flow into the gutters, leading to inadequate drainage and potential water damage to your home’s structure.
How Does Humidity Affect Gutters?
While they go hand-in-hand, heat and humidity are distinctly different. Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air, while heat refers to a high temperature. Humidity also affects gutters in different ways than heat does.
Here’s the rundown on how humidity affects your gutters:
- Increased Condensation: High humidity levels can cause condensation on the surface of gutters. This accumulation can cause the growth of algae, moss, and mold, which can clog the gutters and impede water flow.
- Expansion and Contraction: As with heat, absorption of moisture from humidity can also cause expansion. As humidity levels fluctuate, the gutters contract, leading to a cycle of expansion and contraction. The result is warping, cracking, and loosening of the gutter system.
- Corrosion: Another concern with humidity, especially in coastal areas, is corrosion because a high moisture content accelerates the corrosion process in metal gutters. Humid environments are ideal for rust formation, which weakens the gutter material and increases the potential for leaks.
- Increased Debris Buildup: The dampness in the air from humidity can cause debris to clump together and stick to the gutter surface more easily, obstructing the proper flow of water and potentially leading to clogs.
How Heat and Humidity Affect Different Gutter Materials
Understanding how heat and humidity affect gutter materials is crucial for protecting your gutter system in summer. For one, not all gutter materials react the same by heat and humidity.
Let’s take a look at each type of gutter material.
Vinyl Gutters
Vinyl gutters are typically constructed with PVC and plastics and are widely used due to their affordability and ease of installation. But, vinyl’s durability is limited, and they are susceptible to heat-related issues, including warping, sagging, and splitting. On average, their lifespan ranges from 10 to 15 years, but prolonged exposure to high temperatures can make them brittle and reduce the longevity of vinyl gutters. If you choose vinyl gutters for your home and live in a hot, humid climate, you’ll need to replace your gutters more frequently.
Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum gutters are easy to install, durable, and have an average lifespan of up to 20 years. While aluminum gutters are rust-resistant, their lightweight nature makes them more susceptible to cracking. When exposed to heat, aluminum gutters expand and contract, which can loosen your gutter system over time, leading to leaks and compromised functionality.
Steel Gutters
Galvanized steel gutters are robust and provide excellent strength and durability. They have an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years if maintained correctly. But even the thickest of galvanized steel will rust eventually, so while steel gutters do fairly well enough in wet climates, high humidity and heat can accelerate the rusting process, increasing the potential for leaking.
Wood Gutters
If you want to enhance your home’s historic charm, wood gutters are an excellent choice. However, gutters made from wood demand regular maintenance, such as annual treatments with stain or paint to preserve their exterior appearance. They also benefit from treatment on the interior with a water-resistant oil. Wood gutters can last 30 to 100 years If maintained properly. Cracking and splitting are common with aging, and failure to adequately maintain wood gutters can result in the wood rotting over time.
Copper Gutters
Another gutter prized for its aesthetic appeal and longevity is copper gutters. Copper gutters acquire a protective patina as they age and last 50 to 100 years. They also have soldered seams, so there’s no need for sealants. Due to this and the highly durable nature of copper, they retain their shape and structure even in heat and humidity, making them a suitable choice for a variety of climates and regions.
Zinc Gutters
Another long-lasting gutter material is zinc. If you want a low-maintenance option, pre-weathered zinc gutters are a no-brainer. Like copper, they develop a self-sealing patina that resists rust, scratches, or cracks caused by debris. Zinc gutters will remain aesthetically pleasing for an extended time. Furthermore, they’ll last upwards of 100 years. While heat and humidity aren’t a concern with zinc gutters, salt water is. So if you live on the coast, zinc gutters are not the best choice, and exposure to salty air will shorten their lifespan.
How to Protect Your Gutters from Summer Heat and Humidity
Protecting your gutters from the intense summer heat and humidity ensures their longevity and performance. With preventative measures and regular maintenance, you can safeguard your gutters from the damaging effects of the summer season.
Here’s a checklist you can follow to protect your gutters:
Choose the Right Gutter Material: The “right” gutter material can stand up to your climate AND your budget. Consider factors like durability, resistance to heat and humidity, and maintenance requirements. Vinyl and aluminum gutters are affordable but have their lifespan drastically shortened in areas of excessive heat and high humidity. On the other hand, rust isn’t a concern for copper or pre-weathered zinc, but it will take a tall stack of copper pennies to pay for copper gutters!
Apply Protective Coating or Sealant: One way to make metal gutters a little hardier is to apply a protective coating or sealant. This will provide an extra layer of defense against high humidity, staving off rusting or corrosion.
Install Gutter Guards or Screens: To reduce how often maintenance is needed, install gutter guards or screens. These are an effective way to prevent debris, leaves, twigs, and pests from entering gutters, cutting down on how often you will need to scrap them out. Keeping your gutters clear will help maintain proper water flow and prevent clogs, both of which have the potential to cause damage to your home.
Regular Cleaning: Even with gutter screens, regular maintenance is vital to keep your gutters free of dirt, debris, mold, algae, and other contaminants that can clog your gutter system. But with gutter screens, you should be able to get by with cleaning twice a year. Without them though, you’ll need to clean your gutters more frequently, especially if you live in areas with heavy rainfall and high winds, which can increase debris accumulation.
Inspections: Regular inspections are necessary to identify any damage or wear and tear. Look for warping, cracking, rusting, leaking, or loose connections. Promptly address these problems to prevent further damage.
Timely Repairs or Replacements: If you notice damage or worn parts during your inspections, take action as soon as possible. To prevent further deterioration, repair or replace damaged sections, gutter hangers, or downspouts to maintain the integrity of your gutter systems.
The Takeaway: Heat and Gutters Don’t Mix
Summer heat and humidity are harsh on gutters. Corrosion of your gutters increases the chance of water damage to your home, which could result in costly repairs.
But, by choosing gutter material that suits your climate, applying protective coatings to prevent rust, installing gutter guards to help preserve the gutter’s functionality, and conducting regular inspections and cleanings, you’ll ensure your gutters remain in excellent condition throughout the summer.
If you have questions or want to consult with our gutter experts, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is available to provide you with more information and support to help you maintain the effectiveness of your gutters for years to come.
