Why Are My Gutters Streaked And How Can I Fix Them? Hint: It's Not The Gutter Installation!

Homeowners are sometimes upset when they discover light and dark streaks running down their gutters and onto the siding or brick of their house. They wonder if the gutter installation is the cause of the streaking and whether home-remodeling contractors can correct the problem. They also worry that the streaking may be a permanent discoloration caused by color leaching out of the material used to make the gutters themselves. In most situations, it isn't the materials or their installation that is at fault. Most streaking on and around gutters on today's houses is caused by environmental factors.

It's Not Your Gutter Installation! Various Environmental Factors Can Contribute To Streaking

Pollution, dirt and debris can build up over time on houses and particularly on the top edge of your gutters, where it clings until water from rain or snow washes it down the side of the house. Pollutants that are particularly troublesome include acid rain, dirt, dust, emissions from gasoline and diesel vehicles and pollutants from manufacturing plants. When these pollutants mingle with moisture, they stream down the front of the gutters and sometimes onto exterior walls in streaks sometimes referred to as "tiger stripes." Unfortunately, these stripes aren't nearly as attractive on homes as they are on tigers. It is especially prevalent if you have aluminum siding, as it may react strongly to acid rain.

Because environmental factors are out of the control of manufacturers and home improvement contractors, there is no way they can currently preventing this streaking. In fact, in most cases you'll discover that the paint or siding underneath is still in very good shape. If this is the case for you, a thorough cleaning of the area may be all that you need to make them look new again.

Proper Cleaning Techniques

You can easily remove most of the streaking yourself if you apply a bit of elbow grease and use an appropriate cleaning solution. In some cases, you may be able to clean the tiger striping off with a general cleaner such as 409 spray cleaner, but don't use anything that is abrasive or that could scratch the paint and finish. Because the tiger striping can be stubborn and may have built up over a long period of time, you may have to clean the area more than once. For stubborn tiger striping, some gutter installation companies suggest a mixture of tri-sodium phosphate, which can be found in most home improvement stores or hardware stores as a prepared mix that can be easily applied and rinsed off. The instructions for proper use are right on the label.

If a thorough cleaning hasn't removed the tiger striping from your gutters or you discover other problems such as loose brackets, leaks, rust or deterioration when cleaning them, it may be time to talk to someone about new gutter installation. They can give you a variety of options that will look great for years to come with minimal regular maintenance.