When considering the important parts of a home, many people fail to see the significance of gutters.
They protect our foundations, help to prevent water damage, and have a significant role in reducing the chances of a flooded basement.
Which is why regular gutter maintenance should be a top priority in your homecare routine.
Regular upkeep can ensure your home has healthy gutters that will serve you for years to come. Here are five of the most common gutter problems and how to address them:
Clogged Gutters
Obviously when gutters are clogged they don’t drain which can lead to overflow and eventually more complicated issues within the home.
To avoid any complications from this, you should ideally follow a biannual gutter-cleaning schedule. Depending on the climate where you live, it can look something like this: once in late fall and again in spring (April or May).
Overgrown Gutters
Your home’s gutter can instantly become a huge flowerpot if you neglect it.
An overhanging branch may drop a seed or birds may defecate. And after some rain and sun, you’ll have a mini jungle on your hands.
Regular cleaning and extra protection in the form of gutter guards can save you big bucks.
Poorly Pitched Gutters
In order to keep water flowing properly away from your home, your gutters should be angled (pitched) properly.
The slope should sit at the correct angle, which is at least a quarter inch for every 10 feet of gutter.
If you think your gutters might not be pitched properly, it’s easy to tell—just check for standing water after a rainstorm. Sometimes fixing this is as easy as bending it into place. Otherwise you may need to completely reinstall.
Gutters with Joint Leaks
Especially common in older homes without seamless gutters, you’ll see leaks occur where two sections of the gutter join together. Temperature changes, house settlement, and weather all play a role in causing the leaks.
Thankfully there is an easy and quick fix! Just get some silicone caulking and reseal the joints. Be sure to keep the silicone as flush as possible to prevent a dam effect.
Inadequate Gutters
A big problem we see when it comes to gutters is that some homes don’t even have a gutter system installed!
You can imagine the issues that result.
If you don’t have gutters or they’re a bit outdated, it’s best to make the investment to have a solid system put in professionally.
We like to recommend aluminum gutters as they can last nearly forever with proper care and regular maintenance.
Keeping an eye on your gutters will prove to be valuable in protecting your home. Ignoring smaller issues can lead to extensive repairs and even bigger bills.
We Can Help!
If you have any doubts about your home’s gutters or other functions, don’t hesitate to schedule an inspection with us today! EIG will put your mind at ease that your home is in good shape.