PART I: SYSTEM DESIGN AND COMPOSITION
Gutters may be just a small part of your roofing system but it plays a very crucial role in keeping your roof -- and home -- protected from water damage. Hence, it should be seen as a long term investment that needs to be carefully considered, planned, and designed. However, many homeowners are clueless about gutters, even given the importance they hold. Here’ we’ll be walking you through the different considerations that result in the perfect formula for the best gutters. Let’s start with some basics. WHAT MAKES A GOOD HOME GUTTER SYSTEM? Rain gutters are designed to direct water runoff from your roof to proper drainage away from your home. In this way, they help keep your home dry and protect its parts and components from water damage. For a gutter system to properly do its job, however, it should be chosen and designed carefully.
THE RIGHT GUTTER MATERIALS Like roofing materials, gutter materials have to be chosen based on what will address your needs the most. Top gutter materials available to you include:
PART I: SYSTEM DESIGN AND COMPOSITION
• Aluminum. The most common gutter material, aluminum is lightweight so it is easy to install. However, it is durable, making it a cost-effective option given its price tag. • Galvanized Steel. Metal is naturally weak against moisture but gutters have come a long way, adapting technology to address their weakness. Galvanized steel is proof of this, which entails coating steel with a protective layer of zinc to give it natural resistance against rusting. • Copper. Unlike aluminum and galvanized steel, copper gutters don’t have to painted, allowing a natural patina to develop that adds character to any home. The longest-lasting of the three, copper gutters have a lifespan of at least 50 years.
THE RIGHT GUTTER PROFILE Unlike gutter materials, profiles afford you a little bit more whimsy by letting you pick something solely based on what tickles your fancy. Gutter profiles you can check out include: • K-Style. The most decorative of the bunch, K-style gutters feature an ogee-shaped front that vaguely resembles the letter “K,” thus its name. • Half-Round. Basically half tubes, half-round gutters have rounded out bottoms that complement traditional home styles really well.
PART I: SYSTEM DESIGN AND COMPOSITION
• Box. Where half-round gutters have rounded out bottoms, box gutters have, well, boxed or squared bottoms. Its streamlined appearance makes it highly suitable for more modern home themes. DOWNSPOUT SIZE Downspouts may either be round or square and typically in widths of three to six inches. The size and number of downspouts you need will depend on the gutter system’s capacity. Generally, you should have a downspout installed for every 30 to 40 feet of gutter you have to ensure fast and smooth water flow. SECTIONAL VS. SEAMLESS GUTTERS The main difference between sectional and seamless gutters is the presence of seams, where the former has some and the latter none. Both have their pros and cons but if you’re looking to avoid leaks as much as possible, seamless gutters is the way to go. As they only form joints in along corners, they offer lesser chances of leaks forming.
Choose the right option for every consideration and you’ll surely have made the right gutter choice for your home. ooooo
In the next post, we will be discussing how you can make the most out of getting the right gutter system. Stay tuned to learn more about the importance of proper installation.
PART II: PROPER INSTALLATION
Like most parts of the roof and its components and substructures, the gutter works in silence, which is why it’s not unusual to forget about it until it starts showing signs of damage. However, most gutter problems can be prevented and its service life prolonged if you did things right from the very beginning and ensured proper installation. THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER GUTTER INSTALLATION Ensure your gutter system is properly installed and you get to: • Help stabilize soil around the house, preventing erosion and preserving landscaping • Help prevent damage to your home’s foundation and ensuing problems • Help prevent flooding in the basement • Help protect siding from water damage • Help avoid water staining on walls and siding • Help reduce chances of settling and cracking in sidewalks, driveways, and patios • Help preserve the condition of exterior doors and overhead garage doors
PART II: PROPER INSTALLATION
Installing gutters may look simple enough, but while it may not be rocket science, it does involve some science and, of course, skills and the right tools. This is why proper installation is synonymous with working with a professional. Experts have trained to handle gutter systems right so you can rely on their expertise and have peace of mind knowing your gutters will be performing as they should. FINDING THE RIGHT GUTTER INSTALLER Leaking and broken gutters can wreak havoc on your home. Improperly installed gutters can affect everything from the paint on your siding and walls to your home’s very foundation. Preventing this problem begins with choosing the right installer. Personal referrals can be a good way to find a trusted installer while a quick search on the Internet can also lead you to professionals recommended by industry authorities. However, don’t hire based solely on those recommendations. Do your own research and check for the following: That a gutter installer is local Not only does this make it easier to check if they’re a legitimate business but it also helps assure that a professional knows exactly what gutters in your area go through, allowing them to provide products and services that you need exactly.
PART II: PROPER INSTALLATION
That a gutter installer has years of experience Experience on the field is what bolsters whatever knowledge and skill experts have when it comes to gutters. The more years they have under their belt then, the more you can expect your gutter installation to be backed by expertise. That a gutter installer is insured Nobody ever expects anything bad to happen during an installation but should anything unfortunate arise, it would give you peace of mind knowing that you are protected from liability.
That a gutter installer offers warranties Typically, you can expect two: a product warranty from the manufacturer and a craftsmanship warranty from your installer. ooooo
With the right gutters and the right installer, you’re on the right track toward getting the best gutter system for your home. Last stop? Knowing how to maintain and protect your gutters. Stay tuned!
PART III: GUTTER MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION
Keeping gutters and downspouts in good working condition requires regular and proper maintenance. This is a task that is easy to forget, most especially when you trust your gutters to be durable. Fortunately, gutter maintenance and protection is not too elaborate of a task. In this post, we’ll be covering the basics to help you get started. THE IMPORTANCE OF GUTTER MAINTENANCE If your gutters are poorly maintained, they will be ineffective at directing water away from your property when it rains. This means you run the risk of having rainwater pool around your property and seeping into the ground, which can flood your basement or crawlspace and eat away at your home’s foundation. Poorly maintained gutters also result in standing water that not only attracts pests but can also lead to fascia boards rotting. Overall, without gutter maintenance, you’re looking at a whole slew of water-related problems down the line, beyond the usual leak. What goes into gutter maintenance anyway? Properly install high-quality gutters and you’re only looking at routine cleaning and inspections.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS? It is recommended that you have your gutters cleaned at least twice a year, ideally in the spring and when fall is coming to an end. If you can’t schedule bi-annual cleanings, make sure at least to have your gutter system cleared out in the late fall when most trees are done shedding their leaves. Like other gutter-related tasks, cleaning can be entrusted to professionals.
PART III: GUTTER MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION
THE BEAUTY OF LEAF PROTECTION Many factors may affect the function and performance of your gutters, but leaf and debris buildup is the most common problem homeowners have. Buildup leads to clogs, after all, rendering any gutter system useless. Leaf protection with gutter guards or gutter covers changes all that. By filtering out leaves, twigs, sticks, and other debris, it prevents gutter clogs, allowing water to smoothly flow through your gutter system without trouble. Leaf protection also simplifies cleaning gutters because most debris will just fall to the ground, with whatever’s left atop a gutter guard or cover easily brushed away.
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By choosing and getting the right gutter system, hiring a professional to install it, and maintaining it well, you can ensure the well-being of your gutters and, consequently, your roof and home. Should you have any questions or concerns about gutters, don’t hesitate to give your local gutter installer a call today.
Solomon Brothers Roofing 6088-G Blue Ridge Way, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130 (720) 459-5555 RoofCreations.com