Happy Homes Begin With Gutter Guard

By Author: Tracy Narvaez
Total Articles: 348
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Gutters are important to the structural integrity of a home. They ensure the drainage necessary to carry rainwater runoff away from the roof, foundation, and other areas which could incur water damage. This makes it important to ensure that the gutters are kept in a manner that enables them to do the job effectively. They should also be clear of leaves, animals, residue, and other agents which would obstruct the flow of water away from the house. A gutter guard helps with this latter task.

When they are not working properly, gutters will clog, which allows rainwater to pool where it shouldn't, eventually costing thousands of dollars in repairs. Clogged gutters may freeze during the cold winter months, requiring more repairs. The damage isn't limited to structure alone, either. Wall damage, paint peeling, mold, and mildew can also be caused by improper drainage. Clearly, it is in the homeowner's interest to identify and correct the problem before this happens.

It is evident, then, that for the safety of the home and its occupants, gutter overflow needs to be stopped. If ...
... not, costly flood damage can happen to the basement, foundation, landscape, and even the driveway. Structural damage such as warping is possible as well, and in some climates the standing water that results may breed mosquitoes and raise possible health concerns.

Many problems can attack a home's gutter system. Missing gutters will need to be replaced as soon as possible. Leaking gutters can and should be plugged. Caulk or putty can be an affordable and effective solution. If possible, the company that installed the gutter system should be consulted.

Corrective measures will also become necessary where the gutters are pulled away from the roof. Sagging troughs can throw off the pitch, preventing the runoff from draining through the proper channels. If corrections must be made, aim for one quarter of an inch of slope for every ten foot length of gutter.

One common problem for homeowners is the tendency for the downspout to collect leaves, dirt, and muck. The gutters will then overflow and dump water over the places it was designed to drain. While not evident at first, this creates problems which compound themselves if measures are not taken. Foundations crack, roof structure can rot, even driveways can crack and shift due to the erosion.

The good news is that clogged gutters are much easier to fix than structural damage to the home, and even easier than that to prevent. Single story homes can be cleaned out without too much trouble. For the bigger homes, it's probably better to install guards and prevent the mess and the resulting damage all at once. The higher the gutters, the more climbing will become necessary. This increases the hazards associated with falling.

As we can see, a bit of precaution exercised in the early years can prevent a lifetime of breakdown due to water damage from improperly working gutter systems. Regular maintenance and observation combined with gutter guard systems will potentially extend the life of a home investment by years. More options exist now than ever before for property owners wishing to extend the value of their investments.