It’s that time of year again when your gutters start to get clogged. You want to make sure you’re taking a proactive approach before any real leaks or damage occur. Making sure your gutter system is in good health is essential to taking care of your home because if it leaks, becomes blocked, or has any other issue, it can cause major damage to the foundation through water damage.
Here are the vital questions, tips, and tricks to stop your gutters from overflowing this fall.
Are Your Gutters Wide Enough?
The first question to consider is – are your gutters wide enough? Before going out to buy gutter screens or spending money on tools it’s important to know if your gutters are wide enough to handle the rainfall in your area.
If you’ve broken out your ladder to inspect any potential clogs or debris in your gutters but haven’t seen any buildups, it’s likely that the gutters installed on your home are too small and can’t properly handle the amount of rain flowing through them.
If your gutters are overflowing after heavy rainfall it might be time to reach out to your trusted local gutter pros like SJ Roofing about installing bigger gutters on your home.
Do You Need Gutter Screens?
If your gutters are in fact clogged, gutter screens or gutter guards are an excellent way to prevent build-ups from happening in the future. Installing gutter screens is helpful for a number of reasons. Here are two of the biggest ones.
Prevent Runoff
Does water run off your roof too fast, skipping your gutter entirely? This can be caused by your gutters meeting your roof at too steep of an angle. This can lead to water damage forming on the side of your house and isn’t a pretty sight. Installing an L-shaped splash guard can help to prevent this and make sure the water coming off your roof finds its way into the gutter and slowly trickles to the ground.
Prevent Debris Buildup
Installing gutter screens prevents twigs, leaves, and general unwanted “earthy-ness” from entering into the gutters in the first place. Not only do they prevent pesky buildups from occurring, but they also allow for a much easier clean-up process. As buildups occur going into the winter months, melting snow can pool and refreeze causing extra weight on your gutters – potentially pulling them away from your house.
Gutter screens are an easy and cost-effective way to prevent damage and future headaches. Gutter guards are also an easy way to raise the value of your home. Think about it, would you want to buy a house that needed a full gutter replacement because the current owners didn’t take care of their gutter system? Neither would we.
How Long Do Gutters Normally Last?
As with most things in life, gutters aren’t forever. It’s important to keep in mind that your gutters have an expiration date and will eventually need to be replaced. Most gutters have a lifespan of 20-30 years with some having a lifespan upwards of 100 years depending on the material of the gutter and how well they’re maintained. Keeping your gutters well maintained is a sure-fire way to increase their lifespan.
The most commonly used material for gutters is galvanized steel. The benefit of using galvanized steel is the zinc-coating on the outside which helps in the fight against rust and they last for about 20 years. Another great alternative, especially for those on a budget, is aluminum. Aluminum gutters tend to last around 30 years when properly maintained, and pair nicely with the look of most homes due to their shiny surface.
The gold standard for gutters is copper. Not only do copper gutters come with all the benefits of using galvanized steel such as the rust-resistant coating, but they can last up to 100 years! Just keep in mind the age of the house (and its gutters) when you purchase a home. 100 years is a long time, but if you inherit or buy an older house, you may need to replace the gutters.
Need a New Gutter System?
Taking care of your gutters is an important part of maintaining your home. Don’t be the person that leaves your gutter care till next season (no pun intended). From gutter guards to full gutter replacements, SJ Roofing has your back. SJ Roofing is Northern Virginia’s preferred gutter solutions provider. Schedule your free estimate today so you can rest easy knowing that your gutters are secure.
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