The hurricane season is upon us. That means it’s time to start thinking about how to protect our homes from the high winds and storm surge that comes with these tropical storms. One of the most important parts of your home’s exterior is the gutter system. Your gutters play a vital role in protecting your home from water damage by directing rainwater away from your foundation. But what happens to gutters in a hurricane? Are they able to withstand the high winds and storm surge? Let’s find out.
Gutters in a Hurricane
The first thing you need to know is that gutters are not designed to withstand the high winds of a hurricane. They are not anchored to your home’s structure in any way and can be easily ripped off by the wind. Gutters can also be damaged by flying debris during a hurricane. That’s why it’s important to take steps to protect your gutters before a hurricane hits.
There are several ways you can do this. The most common way is to install hurricane straps or clips which secure the gutters to your home’s structure. You can also install gutter guards which help keep debris from clogging up your gutters and causing them to overflow. Finally, you should make sure that your downspouts are clear so that water can flow freely through them and away from your foundation.
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Gutter Replacement?
Now that you know how important it is to protect your gutters during a hurricane, you may be wondering if your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of replacing them if they are damaged or destroyed during the storm. The good news is that most policies do cover gutter replacement as long as the damage is caused by wind or rain. So, if your gutters are ripped off by the wind or if they overflow and cause water damage to your home, your insurance should cover it.
The Average Cost of Replacing Gutters
If you need to replace your gutters after a hurricane, the cost will depend on several factors
- The size of your home
- The type of gutter material you choose
- Whether you hire a professional contractor to do the work for you
On average, it will cost between $1,500 and $3,000 to replace the gutters on a typical two-story home. If you decide to hire a professional contractor, expect to pay around $3,500 for labor and materials.
Why You Should Hire a Professional Contractor
Although it may be tempting to try and save money by replacing your own gutters, we highly recommend hiring a professional contractor who has experience doing this type of work. Replacing gutters is not an easy task and there is a risk of injury if you don’t know what you’re doing. A professional contractor will also have access to better quality materials and tools. This will help ensure that your new gutters are properly installed and ready to withstand another hurricane season.
Protect your home with healthy gutters
As we head into hurricane season, it’s important to take steps to protect our homes from high winds and storm surge. One of the most important parts of our home’s exterior is the gutter system. Gutters play a vital role in protecting our homes from water damage by directing rainwater away from our foundation. Make sure to hire a professional to assess the damage and perform the needed repairs.
