CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
FALL GUTTER MAINTENANCE
Why Fall Gutter Maintenance Is Key
Autumn is the time to think about your gutters, as once the leaves start to fall, the threat becomes imminent! Gutters full of dead leaves can’t drain properly. Leaky gutters don’t carry water away from the structure and can lead to damage later on. After the trees have dumped their annual load upon your rooftop, there is only one way for it to go: down.
Leaves that don’t find their way to the ground cluster together in your gutters, insipidly waiting for water to collect. Because they block the water’s passage to downspouts, it remains in the gutter where it can freeze, pushing moisture up under the roofing material, where it continues to freeze and expand. This, in turn, causes ice dams which can destroy your roof over time.
Simply removing the leaves and debris will keep the runoff running off and prevent damage from occurring.
Protect the Gutters With Gutter Guards
Consider installing gutter guards on the gutters. Guards protect gutters from debris such as leaves and sticks. These items clog gutters, which then prevent proper water flow from the unit. Gutter guards require professional installation, but reduce the number of cleanings you need each year and protect the gutter system.
Clean Debris From the Gutters
Until gutter guards protect the gutters, clearing debris out is a part of gutters maintenance. If you don’t clean the gutters, many repercussions may result. The gutters can fall off the roof if there is more weight than they can handle. The gutters may contribute to foundation cracking due to water leaks, cause property flooding, and/or damage the roof. Fall gutter cleaning is very important since cold weather is around the corner. Cold weather can freeze water in the gutters. You then have a big problem on your hands that will likely result in the need for gutter replacement. It is considerably cheaper and far less time-consuming to take care of your gutters now and avoid these costs.
The key to fall gutter cleaning is to wait as long as possible for every last leaf to drop, and then get the gutters cleaned before it snows and freezes over. If your downspouts are clogged when it snows or ices, the melting water can’t drain and causes a slew of problems. For example water expands when it freezes, therefore it can stretch open seems on gutters and eventually bust them open. The other major thing that happens is the snow and ice will build up and slowly pull the gutters from the wall.
Inspect Your Gutters
After cleaning the gutters, carefully inspect them for any damages. Pay special attention to the seams, since this is where most gutters fail. If you notice damage, repair it quickly. Also, check the hardware to ensure that it’s not coming loose and the anchors to make sure they’re securely fastened to the house and that you don’t notice gaps between the roof and fascia.
Check the Downspouts
Don’t forget to check the downspouts during gutter cleaning. So often homeowners forget the importance of good working downspouts and don’t bother checking them. Make sure you check the downspouts and the diverters to make sure the water is properly disbursed at least 10-ft. from the home at a downward slope.
Fall Gutter Maintenance
Winter is around the corner. That means it’s time to protect your home from the added risks the season brings. Cleaning the gutters every season is important. It prolongs their life expectancy and ensures thorough protection for your home. But, it’s not a secret that during the winter, gutter cleaning and maintenance holds a little more value. Winter does a number to everyone and everything, including your gutters. Take action to protect the gutter system against winter damage now and perform this gutters maintenance task.
When To Call In Reinforcements
If you have any issues that prevent you from safely setting or climbing a ladder, if there are problems working from the height of your roof, if your gutters are installed at excessive heights, or if there are any other reasons you would prefer not to handle doing the job yourself, professionals are available to take care of all your Fall gutter maintenance needs, in a snap, with a smile.
If you find or suspect that your gutters are in need of repair, it is important to get the work done before winter snows and ensuing damages begin.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
Consider installing gutter guards on the gutters. Guards protect gutters from debris such as leaves and sticks. These items clog gutters, which then prevent proper water flow from the unit. Gutter guards require professional installation, but reduce the number of cleanings you need each year and protect the gutter system.