How to Protect Copper Gutters from Theft
The hike in copper price over the years has resulted in an increase in copper theft. Copper gutters are common targets because of the ease of access in many buildings and the gutters later get sold as scrap metal. Protect your copper gutters with barriers and basic security devices to prevent the cost and hassle of replacement.
Ways to Protect Your Gutters
Security Lights
Security lighting is useful in protecting your gutters because the lights activate when they detect movement. Thieves generally prefer darkness to avoid being seen and captured. As a result, they are more likely to bypass your home in favor of an easier, less risky target. Position the lights higher up on the house so the gutters themselves get illuminated when the lights activate. This also makes the lights harder to reach and bypass.
Surveillance Cameras
Surveillance cameras are another option that protects your gutters from becoming scrap metal. Not only do the cameras help catch whomever is responsible for theft, they also act as deterrents that prevent the copper theft before it happens. If you can't afford an actual surveillance system, install a fake camera near your gutters. The fake is cheaper than the real thing and is often enough to keep thieves off of your property.
Alarm System
An alarm is also helpful because it activates when it detects gutter tampering. The movement of the gutter as it is taken off of the building results in an audible alarm. This startles thieves away before they can finish removing the gutter and some models automatically notify the police department as well during activation.
Barriers
Barriers such as fences are also useful because thieves want gutters they can remove as quickly as possible. Fences prolong the process and increase the odds the thieves will be seen. Make the fence at least six feet tall so it can't be jumped over quickly. Check your local building codes prior to installing a fence to make sure you are in proper compliance with the law and have the necessary building permits.
Add additional brackets to your gutters to make them more secure against the building. The more fittings there are holding the gutter in place, the longer it takes to remove the gutter. An extra few minutes makes all the difference when thieves choose their targets.
Common Sense
Remove any objects near the gutters that thieves can stand on to reach them. Even a parked car is effective as a platform that a thief can use to reach a gutter and remove it. Relocating these items makes it more difficult for thieves to access your gutters quickly.
Copper prices are unlikely to go down soon and while a copper gutter may cost a hundred dollars to replace, the damage a thief causes can result in thousands of dollars in repair. Prevention is the most cost-effective means of protecting your investment and you'll also gain peace-of-mind as a result.