Are Gutter Expansion Joints Worth It?

The use of gutter expansion joints has a few significant advantages. They can, for example, prevent harm to the nearby structure and your gutters. A gutter may get damaged or out of alignment, resulting in leaks and other issues if it cannot expand and compress as required.

Gutter expansion joints can help your gutters last longer by allowing the gutter to flow freely and preventing these problems from arising. In addition, expansion joints can assist in avoiding the need for pricey repairs or replacements. In the long run, this may save money.

Investing in gutter expansion joints may be wise, especially in regions with large temperature swings. Other accessories like gutter guards also improve the quality of gutters on your house.

What are gutter expansion joints?

Gutter expansion joints are a part of seamless rain gutter systems that shields the gutters from the effects of thermal expansion. The propensity of a material to expand and contract due to temperature variations is known as thermal expansion.

With expansion joints in gutters, there are a few possibilities. The pre-made expansion joint consists of a piece of rubber stamped between two metal parts. Although this choice provides a lot of movement, it is not the suggested course of action.

Splitting any flow of more than 50 feet into two independent runs, capping both ends, and leaving a 14″ space between the top corners of the end caps are the best ways to protect your gutter system against thermal expansion.

Then, it is advised that you fasten a little piece of aluminum to one of the end caps and fold it over the opening so that all the rainwater that would have fallen over it would have gone into either gutter.

Most home settings won’t require an expansion joint because there won’t be any gutter runs longer than 50 feet. The type of gutter you choose will also depend on the presence or absence of fascia boards.

Advantages of gutter expansion joints

While there are still joints at downspouts and mitered corners in seamless gutters, these joints are significantly less than those in conventional sectional gutters.

This results in a variety of benefits for the homeowner, such as the following:

1. Seamless gutters improve a home’s overall appearance and provide enduring curb appeal

One significant advantage is the long-lasting beauty and seamless charm gutters give the house. A good number of the people I’ve asked think they look better than sectional gutters.

Although copper and steel can also make them, aluminum is the most frequently used material. Almost all can be painted to match the exterior of the house. Many also have long-lasting baked-on enamel finishes that don’t need to be painted.

2. There are fewer clogs, backups, and leaks in seamless gutters

Sectional gutters’ joints and seams cause clogs and leaks. Caulking and fasteners are necessary for every joint. Fasteners that extend beyond the gutter may catch on leaves and other debris with their edges, producing clogs.

Large obstructions can cause water overflow and uncontrolled runoff, harming your home’s roof, foundation, and landscape.

Seamless gutters are significantly stronger than sectional gutters. Contractor grade and coming from a gutter machine, seamless gutters are typically available in thicknesses of 0.027″ and 0.032″.

The sectional gutters sold at big-box stores are often constructed from thinner material with a thickness of 0.024″. The channels sold by big-box retailers may be 20% or thinner than contractor-grade gutters, which means they won’t withstand the elements over time nearly as effectively.

3. Compared to sectional gutters, seamless gutters require less maintenance

Seamless gutters have fewer joints than sectional gutters, so they don’t collect as much debris. All of this results in less time being spent cleaning gutters.

However, caulk is necessary for all gutter seams. Even the greatest sealants must eventually be reapplied because they do not stay forever.

With seams every 10 feet, sectional gutters will have many more seams that need to be sealed, necessitating much more upkeep over the installation.

4. Seamless gutters always provide a flawless fit

A seamless gutter machine shapes seamless gutters from a coil to meet the precise lengths and dimensions of the house, typically on-site.

Homeowners may be sure that their seamless gutter system will suit them perfectly because each system is specifically for their property. Gutters work properly when they fit correctly. An expertly designed system will provide the performance you require.

Disadvantages of gutter expansion joints

Gutter use beneath joint systems should be avoided for several reasons:

1. Gutters hide leaks

It’s not easy to notice leaks on your roof when you have gutters on your roof. To reach the gutter, water travels over and penetrates the concrete, bypassing the primary joint system and transporting salts and other substances that cause corrosion.

Rebar causes the concrete to corrode, expand, and spall. As a result, the building starts to deteriorate dangerously and at great expense.

2. Gutters are used to manage water, not to protect against it

It is necessary to direct water that enters a gutter toward drains. Gutter pitching is required for this to ensure drainage. The gutters must have end dams and be constructed to be waterproof during changes in plane and direction.

Too frequently, joint systems are only described in cross-section. An efficient gutter appears in the cross-section.

The joints shown in the cross-section will not be built with pitch, terminations, transitions, or drainage system integration – the difficulties of managing water become apparent when the gutter is viewed in three dimensions.

3. Not watertight

A joint design that includes a gutter beneath another joint system or a joint system that incorporates a gutter as standard equipment is an implicit admission that the joint system is not watertight. That joint system should have been chosen differently.

Leaks may lead to tiger stripes on gutters which can reduce the aesthetics of your house.

4. It may encourage vermin

Gutters, or gutters built into joint systems, give pests a route to the rest of your house. Finding evidence of active rats and other vermin populations using gutters as their homes and transit infrastructure around the building is not uncommon, especially in sporting facilities like stadiums.

Liquids (such as beer and soda pop) and meals diluted with washing water can enter the gutter system through joints that are not impermeable at the surface. Again, this is a food source that vermin use.

5. Downspouts are obstructed

Due to the buildup of material in gutters, downspouts are very likely to become blocked.

How to install gutter expansion joints

Installing gutter expansion joints is a simple process that can help prevent damage to your gutters due to temperature changes. Here is a step-by-step guide to installing gutter expansion joints:

Step 1: Measure sizes and distances

Measure the distance between the ends of the gutter where the expansion joint will be installed. This will determine the length of the expansion joint needed. You may need to use a tape measure or ruler to get an accurate measurement.

Step 2: Cut the expansion joints to size

Cut the expansion joint to the correct length using a hacksaw or tin snips. Wear protective gloves and eyewear while cutting the expansion joint, as the edges can be sharp.

Step 3: Clean the gutters

Clean the gutter thoroughly before installing the expansion joint. Use a scraper to remove any debris or dirt from the gutter, and then wipe it down with a cloth or sponge to remove any remaining dirt or grime.

Step 4: Fit the expansion joint into the gutter

Slip the expansion joint onto the gutter, ensuring it is fully seated and level. The expansion joint should fit snugly onto the gutter, but it should also be able to move freely to allow for expansion and contraction.

Step 5: Secure the joints

Secure the expansion joint in place using gutter sealant or roofing cement. Apply a small amount of sealant or cement along the edges of the expansion joint, making sure to cover the entire joint’s length.

Step 6: Install all joints

Repeat the process for any other expansion joints that are needed. Measure and cut each expansion joint to the correct length, then secure it using sealant or cement.

Step 7: Test the joint

Test the expansion joint by gently pushing it to ensure it is securely in place and can move freely as needed. If the expansion joint seems loose or is not moving correctly, apply additional sealant or cement to secure it.