As any homeowner knows, the little details can make a big difference. This is true not only with the look of your gutters, but also with their performance and longevity. You can have the best aluminum gutter in the world, but if your gutters and downspouts fail, the whole system is ruined.

Although the benefits of Mastics gutters and downspouts are numerous, perhaps the two more notable are the extended life and durability they provide, as well as the ability to easily match and complement your existing system. Because theyre built by the experts at Mastic, these gutter accessories are precisely designed and constructed with premium materials, resulting in exceptional strength that will impeccably support your gutters for years.

Box gutters are basically a built-in rain removal system found on older homes and historical buildings. They have wood framing with a sheet metal lining, such as tin or copper. Some are lined with an adhered rubber membrane. Copper -lined box gutters are ideal due to the lifespan of the copper (minimum 50 years) and very little maintenance required. Tin box gutters require painting every 3-5 years and need monitored for signs of rust and corrosion; also, tin is no longer manufactured and thus no longer an option for a lining material. Re-lining a box gutter with rubber membrane is a viable option cost wise versus copper, but has nowhere near the longevity.

The key danger to box gutters is when they are not properly maintained and fall into disrepair. A leaking box gutter affects the wood structure (bed board, soffit, fascia, rafters) of the gutter as well as providing an entryway for water to enter the living space itself. Sometimes repairs can be performed using rubber flashings or silicone sealants. When the wood structure is compromised through leaking, then significant repair is warranted.

Some contractors, usually inexperienced, will suggest cutting off the box gutters and installing a less-expensive aluminum K Gutter system. There are several reasons this is not recommended. 1) The overhang of the box gutters protects the walls from moisture penetrations. 2) The overhang helps keep water away from the foundation of the home. 3) Removing the eaves will allow greater exposure to sunlight on the walls of the house, making the house hotter in the summer. 4) Removal of the eaves will detract from the original design of the house.

Other contractors may recommend jumping or bridging the box gutters with plywood, then installing an aluminum K gutter. This is also not recommended for these reasons. 1) In covering over the box gutters, any issues with the box gutter structure are not addressed, which could result in catastrophic failure of the overhang. 2) The approximate 2 span the plywood covers, if not properly supported with rafters, will sink and fall in with the weight of heavy snow; also, the low-slope profile creates an ideal shelf for the rapid formation of ice dams, creating further problems.

The ideal solution is a comprehensive rebuild/re-lining of the box gutter system. Ensuring the wood structure is strong, stable and providing proper slope to the drain locations is vital to the rebuild process. In re-lining the box gutter, we highly recommend copper, due to the long-life span of the product. While initially an expensive proposition, copper provides many years or worry-free water removal. A more economical alternative is re-lining with .060 mil EPDM rubber membranes adhered to the insides of the box gutter. While less expensive, rubber has nowhere near the life span of copper and is more prone to incidental leaks and punctures from roofing materials, trees, branches, etc.