Gutters

Gutters are an integral part of your roofing system. They redirect water to keep it away from the foundation, siding, and interior walls of the home. Gutters can prevent moisture from seeping behind the walls to cause interior rot and mold problems. Learn more about the signs that it is time to replace the gutters and the process of gutter replacement.

Signs Indicating Gutter Replacement

Knowing what to look for will allow you to fix the problem early before it becomes a bigger and costlier problem. These signs include outlines of visible damage, such as cracks, leaks, corrosion, and other signs of deterioration, the gutters sagging and pulling away from the house, and interior water damage. Sagging and pulling away from the house is a structural issue that may also require roof repairs to remedy. Interior water damage may show up as water stains and/or mold along the drywall as well as peeling paint.

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As the leaves turn brown and the weather turns colder, you may prepare the home for the winter months. You’ll purchase salt for the driveways and place a cover on the outdoor pool. Another chore to perform is gutter repair. Fall is the perfect time to do this chore for a variety of reasons.

Prepare for the Winter Weather

Winters typically bring a lot of rain, sleet, ice, and snow down onto the house. You want to ensure that the gutters can handle this winterly mix and divert it away from your foundation. Repairing the gutters allows you to direct the water to where you want it to go. You can tighten gutter fasteners that may have loosened or are missing, and ensure there are no holes that will allow water to leak. Performing these necessary repairs now will lessen the chances that you will have to go out into the snow and ice to fix a leaky or shaky gutter system.

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You want to ensure your house remains safe and comfortable all year round. Keeping it dry and waterproof ensures that dangerous mold and mildew do not grow inside the walls or roof. You also want to prevent water from getting along the foundation of the home, so it doesn’t enter and cause water leakage or instability problems. Gutters are your best defense against water intrusion by redirecting rainwater from the roof away from the exterior walls and foundation.

However, gutters do not last forever. They experience heavy rain, winds, and ice throughout the year. Just like a roofing system experiencing the end of its lifecycle needs repairs and replacement, your gutters also need occasional repairs to keep them in good condition. Here are some warning signs to look for that will tell you to get your gutter repaired:

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We often forget about the gutters when they are in working order during the spring, summer, and fall months. However, winter weather poses a lot of risks to a homeowner’s gutter system.

Skipping out on winter gutter cleaning before the harsh weather hits your home could cause significant damage to the gutter system, roof, foundation, and exterior walls of your home. Learn more about how winter can damage the roof gutters, and why it is important to get them inspected and cleaned in the fall and early winter.

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Gutters and downspouts are essential systems in your home. They redirect water from the roof so the water does not run down the siding and along the foundation. However, gutters and downspouts can become clogged with leaves, debris, animal nests, small branches, and even windblown bags or plastic trash.

With these things clogging the gutter system, it leads to water overflowing the sides of the gutter or up from the downspout which increases the risk of flooding your foundation or basement. It also causes ice dams that could weigh down and dislodge the gutters in the winter.

Cleaning Your Gutter and Downspouts

It is a simple job to clean out the gutters. With proper preparation and safety measures, you can get them cleaned quickly over the weekend. Here are several steps to take for the task:

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A maintenance item for your home that is often forgotten about is the gutter system. Due to its location, many people don’t consider that any problems could arise from the system. However, faulty gutters can cause a whole host of problems that could compromise the integrity of your home and serious damage.

Faulty Gutter Problems

A big problem that happens in the fall season is that dead leaves begin to clog the gutter. As the leaves, dirt, branches, and grime get mixed together, this debris can clog up the gutter.

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You may have heard that your gutters should be cleaned twice a year, but do you know why? Cleaning your gutters regularly removes leaves and debris to deliver these three benefits.

1. Protect Your Roof

Servicing the gutters may extend the life of your roof. While gutters aren’t the only factor in determining how long a roof lasts, neglecting the gutters will shorten the lifespan of your roof. Since replacing a roof is a major cost, it makes sense to do what you can to save money.

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