Homeowner’s insurance is an incredibly important safety net for all homeowners – in many cases, it’s the sole reason why we’re able to afford extensive home repairs or address issues that unexpectedly pop up! However, when it comes to gutter systems, things can be a little less cut-and-dry; despite their importance to any home, it’s not out of the ordinary for gutter repair and maintenance to not be covered by insurance. Here’s what you need to know about home insurance and gutter maintenance, along with some tips for ensuring that your gutters are intact, and your home is fully guarded from the forces of nature.
Why Home Insurance Typically Doesn’t Cover Gutter Repair
In most cases, standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover the total cost of repairing your gutters, even if they’re falling down or missing! This is primarily because most problems with gutters have to do with negligent maintenance. Gutter repair and maintenance fall solely on the homeowner; they must be regularly cleaned and cleared out, properly aligned, and unbroken. If things are left to slide, the entire gutter system may become compromised, meaning your home might suffer foundational damage.
However, there are some exceptions to this, which is why you should always confirm the details of your plan beforehand. Some situations when homeowner’s insurance can help with your gutter-repair costs include:
- The gutters have fallen due to inclement wind, rain, or hail.
- The roof caught on fire and the gutters were irreversibly damaged.
- A tornado or hurricane caused the damage.
- A tree branch fell and damaged the gutters.
How Taking Care of Your Gutters Will Save You Money
Though they’re far from being the most attractive feature of your home, your gutters are arguably one of the most critical components of your home’s structural integrity. If you take great care of them, they have an average lifespan between 20 and 50 years. But if they begin to show signs of aging and damage, it falls on you to have them repaired or replaced before they become completely compromised.
Some things to keep in mind concerning gutter maintenance include:
- Regularly clean out your gutters of leaves and debris every few months to ensure that rainwater can flow freely. If you’d rather avoid getting on a ladder yourself, many companies offer gutter cleaning services as well as maintenance and repair.
- Inspect your downspouts while you’re cleaning your gutters to ensure they aren’t clogged. Using a garden hose with a pressure nozzle can help with this.
- Install gutter guards to protect your system from excess debris. These devices are special protective cages that fit over or inside your gutters. Downspout extensions, which catch and funnel the water a few feet from your home, can also be a wise investment.
Remember, it will always be cheaper to routinely maintain your gutters compared to having them replaced entirely, whether insurance is involved or not. However, knowing that your policy has your back in the event of something out of your control can help to keep your mind at ease – and also inspire you to care diligently for your home!
About Platinum Gutters
The team here at Platinum Gutters has been helping homeowners all around Dallas and the surrounding metroplex for over 15 years, offering a wide range of gutter maintenance and installation services. If you have any questions about the article or you’d like to get in touch with us to ask about our services or schedule an estimate, please visit us online or call today for further information.
Tarrant County Telephone: (817) 993-4237.
Dallas/Denton/Collin County Telephone: (972) 346-1590.