A home’s gutter system is very important as it serves as a way to direct water away from the foundation of the home. Keeping a home’s foundation in good shape is top priority in order to maintain or increase the value and prevent any long-term complications.
Gutters need to be kept in good condition in order to keep water from pooling around the foundation of a home. Regular maintenance can help to avoid any costly repairs in the future. Here are some common problems (and easy fixes) that can occur with a home’s gutter system:
Drainage Issues
One of the most common reasons that a gutter system may fail is because they have become clogged. When gutters become clogged, they are no longer capable of properly draining water which can mean leaks within the roof, walls or foundation of the home. Properly cleaning the gutters from any debris such as leaves, twigs or animal nests can help to ensure that it can perform properly. For the best results, it is recommended to clean the gutters twice a year. Debris occurs most when the seasons begin to change. Routine maintenance during the late fall and early spring can be beneficial in ensuring that the gutters remain unclogged.
Sagging Gutters
The most common cause of sagging gutters is clogging that comes from debris, leaves, pine needles and other material. As mentioned before, clogged gutters prevent water from flowing down to the downspouts and can cause water accumulation. This can greatly affect the foundation of a home.
Another reason for sagging gutters is if they have a break in the way that they are attached to the home or if they were improperly installed. A gutter system is held to the roof using either hangers, brackets or long spikes. If these break it can cause the gutters to sag and can be extremely problematic. Sagging gutters can cause serious water damage over time as water overflows to the side of the home and causes leaking.
Routine maintenance cleaning can help to avoid sagging gutters; however, it’s best to first determine the reason for the sagging. If the issue is due to the hardware that secures the gutters to the house, an easy fix can be to tighten or replace the screws that hold it together. The good news is that sagging gutters can be a quick fix, but it can be best to reach out to an expert for their professional advice on why it’s happening and the proper way to fix the problem.
It can be easy to overlook a home’s gutter’s but they are one of the most important tools in keeping the home in great shape. Without a properly working drainage system there are a number of problems that can occur inside and outside of a home.
If you are seeing problems with your home’s drainage system, we are here to help! Contact Gutter Pros today at (314/656-7195) for more information on how we can help with any repair or maintenance on your home’s gutter system!