Marrying reliable water management with aesthetics, copper gutters stand as a premium choice for gutter systems. However, opting for copper adds a significant weight to your gutter installation budget. For that reason, along with preserving their beauty, you will want to extend the life expectancy of your copper gutters.
On their own, copper gutters are a long-duration investment because they are naturally durable. On average, copper gutters can last ~50 years, provided that you take care of them. Copper may be durable, but that does not mean they’re immune to the damaging effects of the elements. So, a little effort placed into maintaining them is still necessary if you would like to maximize their lifespan.
Let’s tackle that in the next few sections of this blog.
Copper Gutters: Weathering With Grace
Copper is the most durable material among the various options available for gutter materials. Its durability is attributable to its natural resistance against corrosion which, with the proper care, can keep your home safe from water damage for an average of 50 years.
In addition to its natural resistance to the elements, the patina that copper develops over time will augment the appearance of your gutters with an elegant green tint. Its striking green adds a refreshing pop of color to your gutters, and creates a beautiful rustic look to your home.
But a copper gutter won’t last 50 years without due care. To preserve your copper gutters, you must be mindful of the factors that degrade them and, as a result, implement a course of action to maintain them.
How to Preserve Your Copper Gutters
Preserving copper gutters doesn’t take a great deal of science or effort to accomplish. Simply paying attention to and sticking with a consistent maintenance schedule can help extend their lifespan.
Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional gutter maintenance team to do it, here are some specific things you can do so that they last longer:
1. Apply A Protective Coating on Your Copper Gutters
Copper is corrosion-resistant, not corrosion-proof. So while it will take decades for it to degrade due to corrosion, it can accelerate due to certain factors (more on this in the next section).
To protect and prolong the lifespan of your copper gutters in this regard, applying a protective coating is beneficial. Clear sealants shield the copper from corrosive elements, helping maintain the material’s natural resistance to corrosion.
Regularly working with experts, like Liberty Sheet Metals, who are accustomed to handling copper also aids in mitigating other risks that result from copper gutter corrosion.
2. Install Your Gutters Correctly
One of the simplest ways you can prolong the lifespan of your copper gutters is to properly install them. A flawed structure fails to hold up even against the smallest threats.
This is the reason why DIY-ing gutter installation might not be a good idea. When gutters are incorrectly installed, leaks, bends, and poor fitting can predispose them to other high-impact issues.
Hiring professionals who are meticulous with inspections is one of the key things you can do to preserve your copper gutters. Moreover, experts who are adept at handling copper know exactly what to look for in terms of identifying cues of sagging, detachment, or blockage.
Gutters that appear loose to us at Liberty Sheet Metals, for instance, are addressed immediately to ensure that your copper gutters are adequately supported and properly secured.
3. Regularly Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning and maintaining your gutters should be a regular and consistent practice. This prevents physical damage from accumulated debris that can compromise the material.
Although copper is durable and doesn’t easily bend, it’s still important to monitor structural threats if you want copper gutters to last longer. One practical tip we can offer here is to execute a regular gutter cleaning schedule. Similarly, your maintenance checklist should align with seasonal changes.
To ensure consistency, we recommend that you establish an agreement with your gutter maintenance team to visit regularly (about once every 2-4 months). The unique advantage of this is, compared to doing it yourself, is that a hired team will commit and be held accountable to executing a regular schedule.
With Liberty Sheet Metals, you won’t need to worry about neglecting to care for your copper gutters.
Ensuring the Longevity of Copper Gutters
It’s clear that copper gutters offer a stellar combination of functionality and aesthetic appeal for any home or building. Their resilience against corrosion, coupled with the natural elegance of their evolving patina, make them a valuable utility.
Copper gutters last a long time—not forever. There is no absolute method for stopping time from causing wear. By being mindful of the factors that reduce their lifespan and the ways to manage these, you can enjoy the protection and beauty of copper gutters for decades to come.
For those ready to invest in the lasting benefits of copper gutters, or seeking expert advice on maintenance, Liberty Sheet Metals stands ready to assist. Our expertise in crafting and installing custom architectural sheet metal elements in copper ensures that your investment not only enhances your property’s visual appeal but endures through the years.
Reach out to us today to explore how copper gutters can elevate your home construction project, providing both durability and timeless aesthetic appeal.
