A Guide to Choosing New Galvanized Gutters

For homes on Long Island that are located in high flood risk areas, using galvanized gutters is a wise move. Galvanized gutters are ones that have been treated with an electrochemical agent that bonds with any organic or inorganic contaminants that make their way into your home’s drainage system. By using galvanized steel gutters, you will be able to greatly reduce your risk of damage to your home’s foundation, as well as reduce your risk of mold buildup. Galvanized gutters are also highly effective at removing salt buildup from your foundation, thus protecting your basement from further damage.

What are the advantages to galvanized gutters?

Galvanized gutters were initially designed for use in the United States. Over the course of time, however, many people have moved to the country and have purchased homes with galvanized gutters, and those same people may not be able to get their old gutters repaired. In addition, with so many storms hitting the country every year, and the potential for severe flooding every now and then, having a fully functional gutter system in your home that has been galvanized is a huge benefit.

Why would anyone want to buy Galvanized gutters?

The advantages to Galvanized Steel Gutters are many, and the most important advantage is the reduction of galvanic corrosion. Before purchasing Galvanized gutters, ask to see a sample that has been galvanized. If you can view this sample in a UV light, it will help you understand what the zinc coating looks like when it has been applied to the outside of the gutter system. The most common type of galvanized gutters is galvanized single-hole, which can be installed on virtually any sort of surface.

galvanized gutters

galvanized gutters are corrosion proof

Galvanized gutters resist rust, corrosion, algae and other types of rotting that can occur due to exposure to rain and moisture. Without a galvanized lining, your gutters could easily corrode from the effects of rain and moisture, and it could also lead to the occurrence of leaks. If you live in an area where it snows during the wintertime, your existing gutters could quickly develop holes due to the weight of the snow and ice, leading to water leaking into them. Without a galvanized lining, your gutters are more prone to developing these leaks, because the water cannot move through the gutters properly, causing them to weaken and eventually fall apart. Galvanized gutters also protect the rest of the plumbing in your home from rust and corrosion.

most common types of gutters materials

As mentioned, the most common type of galvanized gutters consists of galvanized steel mesh, which is zinc plated over a traditional wood core. In addition to being highly resistant to rust, galvanized steel gutter guards are also more durable than their wooden counterparts, and they do not require the expensive galvanized zinc coating. While this type of galvanized steel gutter guard costs more than other types of gutter guards, they are far more efficient, with a much longer life span. This type of galvanized gutter guard will last up to 30 years without needing to be replaced, making it an excellent long-term investment.

One of the most popular galvanized gutters sold today is the aluminum composite variety, which is created by combining the best features of the steel gutter and the aluminum gutters. Aluminum gutters require almost no galvanizing for installation, and they are very easy to maintain, since they do not rust like the galvanized steel gutters do. The aluminum composite material is very durable and requires little maintenance. Unlike with galvanized steel, aluminum gutters require no additional galvanized zinc coating, saving consumers money in the long run.

For homeowners looking to update their gutter systems, there are two options. The first involves purchasing new galvanized metal downspouts. Aluminum and galvanized metal downspouts come in a variety of finishes and styles, including flat black and natural silver, antique bronze, brass, and copper. This variety of downspouts is the most aesthetically appealing, and they are easily cleaned with soap and water. These new galvanized gutters are also a highly energy efficient choice, since they require little maintenance, free from rust, and no need for sealing, so they can be left in the same way for years to come.

The second option involves installing new downspouts made of a variety of materials that rust and corrode. These downspouts are much easier to clean than the galvanized gutters, as they do not require any additional coatings or zinc treatments. Copper downspouts, for instance, can be painted to match an existing home hardware design. These stainless steel gutters are also easy to clean, but many people choose these over the galvanized metal because they do not contain galvanized zinc. Stainless steel gutters have a nice rustic finish, and they do require little maintenance, since they do not discolor or rust.