While you may not always think of them, your gutters are continuously working overtime to preserve your home and roof from extreme weather. Even though they are a relatively small design feature, your home always needs working gutters because they play an essential role in directing water away from your house to make sure the structural integrity stays intact.
No matter which type of gutter you have, regular maintenance is crucial for avoiding costly water damage. Your home’s gutter system has one very essential job: to keep water away from your home. When debris or ice accumulates, they can weaken joints and cause pooling in certain areas. These issues indicate that your gutters are no longer working correctly, leading to potential water damage throughout your property.
There are many reasons why gutters can fail to keep water from seeping into your home, such as:
- Decay
- Rust
- Age
- Snow
- Ice
- Improper placement
- Debris buildup
Let’s explore why your home always needs working gutters to keep it protected.
A Little Fall of Rain
How bad could it be not to have functioning gutters? Sure, it may seem like it wouldn’t make that big of a difference, but poorly working gutters could result in thousands of dollars in costly repairs due to water damage. When inclement weather conditions like severe wind and rain hit your home, you need a safeguard solution to help protect your property.
Your Home Needs Working Gutters
A gutter system needs to guide rain and stormwater away from the foundation of the house. When debris and faulty sections impair gutters’ ability to do this, water builds up and can erode away the soil near the foundation, leading to increased risk of structural damage and basement leaks. But the problems don’t stop there. Faulty gutters can cause other kinds of water damage to your house, such as:
- Pooling water under your roof
- Weakened roof structure
- Stained siding
- Mold and mildew
- Interior paint peeling
- Cracks in foundation
Alongside protecting your home, gutters can help direct surging water to designated areas. When stormwater can freely flow through the yard, it creates unsafe pathways and ditches that can kill low-lying gardens and flowers. As you can see, efficient gutters can make or break your property, so it’s best to keep them well maintained.
5 Ways to Keep Your Gutters Working Efficiently
Since a faulty gutter system can wreak havoc on your home, it’s essential to make necessary repairs and improvements for optimal benefits. Consider some of the ways you can keep your gutters working efficiently below:
1. Regularly Clean Away Debris
Failing to clean your gutters is an open invitation for debris to build up over time. Clogged gutters restrict water from freely flowing, and it can cause spillage over the sides. Leaves, twigs, and other debris that are left over the winter can lead to ice dams once the snow starts melting and refreezing. Now, not only is water not flowing efficiently, but the added weight of snow, ice, and muck can weigh down your gutter system, putting pressure on your siding and structure.
Use a professional ice dam removal service if you notice any forming throughout the winter months. This process will safely remove the icicles while inspecting the area for blockages. You can usually prevent this issue with a seasonal gutter maintenance plan.
Extreme storms, vermin, and insufficient cleaning can devastate your gutter system, which is why it’s vital to establish yearly maintenance to tackle issues before they become significant problems. Aim to clean them twice a year – in spring and fall- to help prevent buildup. Since cleaning can be rather precarious and time-consuming, you can always turn to professionals for help.
2. Upgrade Your Gutter System
There are two main types of gutter systems: traditional, which has seams and joints, and custom-crafted seamless gutters. While regular gutters come in pre-cut sections that make them easy to install or replace, they come with more maintenance needs to prevent pooling, leaking, or structural damage. If you’d prefer to do less maintenance, consider installing a seamless gutter system that reduces clogs and cleaning time.
Seamless gutters are manufactured in one long piece and professionally installed to ensure proper placement. This means that they are custom-fit to your home for optimal water-catching results. Even though they are slightly more expensive than traditional options, you don’t need to worry as much about buildups occurring around joints and seams.
Plus, seamless gutters add to your home’s overall quality and resale value due to the aesthetic appeal and durable design. You’ll be amazed at how they blend into your home’s exterior and how little work you’ll need to do.
3. Add a Gutter Guard
Do you want even less cleaning and maintenance for your gutter system? Then you need to consider adding a high-quality gutter cover. You can even add a low-maintenance gutter cover that restricts debris and little critters from clogging your gutter installation. Choose your preferred gutter cover material:
- Bottle Brush
- Nylon
- Reverse Curve
- Mesh
- Foam type
Learn more about gutter guards and seamless gutters from Advantage Construction.
4. Don’t Forget About Downspouts
While gutters catch the water, downspouts help specifically move water away from your home into appropriate locations. For this reason, it’s essential to always make sure to clean your downspouts and check their placements frequently. Clogged and incorrectly placed downspouts cannot accurately distribute water away from your foundation, leading to rushing or pooling water where you don’t want it to be.
There is little good in having clean and clear gutters without an efficient and well-positioned downspout. Try to incorporate regular downspout inspection to ensure they are properly secured in optimal positions and free from blockages. Additionally, you should add extenders to them if need be.
5. Work With a Professional
As a homeowner, it’s essential to thoroughly check your gutters for any telltale signs of gutter damage, including:
- Overflowing water
- Noticeable bird’s nests and pest
- Lifted or rotten shingles
- Sagging or warped gutters
- Plants growing in gutters
- Stained side panels
- Cracks or chips
- Fan-like patterns below downspouts
If you notice these issues, it’s best to work with a specialist to make proper repairs or replacements as soon as possible. Although it may be tempting to skip yearly inspections, let ice dams be, or even attempt to make DIY repairs, it’s best to work with a professional for better, longer-lasting results.
Enhance Your Home’s Protection
Since your home is susceptible to severe weather conditions, it’s essential to install high-quality and reliable gutters to safeguard your home. When your gutters are working well, they will safely usher water away from your home and property to avoid pooling, flooding, or other disastrous outcomes. Schedule an inspection with the team at Advantage Construction to make sure you aren’t missing hard-to-identify warning signs of water damage and ask about smart gutter system solutions.
Our expert contractors are here to help you with any repairs, removal services, yearly inspections, or even upgrading to a seamless gutter system for your home. Remember, your home needs working gutters to avoid costly repairs and frustration. So don’t wait for problems to arise. Contact us today to get your free quote for repairs or a new custom seamless gutter system.
