If you need to replace old and failing gutters, then you may look for an exact replacement. However, it's a good idea to consider seamless gutters at this stage. How are these gutters different from your old ones and why should you think about switching to them?

How Do Seamless Gutters Work?

If your gutters are pretty old, then there's a chance that they were originally put together in sections. They have seams and connectors holding them together to make them fit the space.

Seamless gutters fit your space more precisely. Rather than using various pieces of guttering to create a longer solution, these gutters are made to meet your exact measurements.

These products do have some seams and connectors; however, you only get these in key areas such as at the joints where a piece of gutter meets a downpipe. The main roll is one solid piece.

Why Are Seamless Gutters More Effective?

If you have a long stretch of guttering, then you might not find an off-the-shelf pipe to fit. You may have to connect two pieces to create a long enough roll. This leaves you with a weak spot — there will be a seam between the two pieces.

While this seam may be pretty tight to start with, it may move over time. It also creates a space for things to grow.

So, if you have even a tiny gap between the two pieces of gutter, then it won't hold water. The gutter won't carry all the water it collects down its downpipe.

You'll get drips and leaks that could ultimately damage the outside of your home or the surface beneath the gutter. When this happens, you'll need to fix the leak or put in a new piece of gutter.  

These seams and gaps can also create blockages. If a seed lodges in a seam, it might grow into a plant; if leaves catch in a gap, they'll block the guttering. These blockages build over time. Eventually, your gutter won't be able to disperse water as it should. It's likely to start overflowing, and you'll have to clean it out.

If you install seamless gutters, then you lose these weak spots. Your gutters are likely to last longer without springing a leak. They're also less likely to get blocked because of obstructions in their seams, so they will work more efficiently without needing much cleaning or maintenance.

To find out more about the benefits of using seamless gutters, talk to local guttering suppliers.