Welcome to Family Roofing

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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.

 

How Damaged Gutters Affect Your Home

Leaking gutters can be a costly problem for homeowners.  Gutters work to direct water away from your windows, siding, foundation, and other vulnerable parts of your home.

When your gutters are leaking, they are not doing their job, and this can result in:

• Damage to the roof and fascia, which can result in roof problems and wood rot

• Water pooling near the foundation, which can cause a damaged or cracked foundation

• Water gathering along the sides of your home, which can lead to flooding of your basement or home

• Gutters becoming worn enough to fall off, which can cause damage to your roof, soffit, and fascia

• Standing water if the gutters are not draining properly, which can cause ice dams, clogged gutters, overflowing gutters, and even mosquito infestations

• Damage to your landscaping and garden

• Soil erosion

• Damaged or swollen siding

• Rotted decks or porches if the leak causes water to fall on these structures

• Cracked and water-damaged driveways

• Stains on concrete and siding

The bottom line is that a leaking gutter causes water to run and pool on your foundation, driveway, and other vulnerable places in your home, causing damage.  The threat to your foundation alone is considerable.  Soil erosion or a cracked foundation can cause your home to shift and foundation problems are notoriously expensive to fix.  To prevent this type of financial disaster, it is much easier and much more affordable to maintain your gutters.

How Can Outdated Gutters Affect Your Home?

A gutter system that’s in poor shape will need to be replaced by a professional roofer as soon as possible.  If it’s left in bad condition, it won’t properly carry rainwater away, and water will pool on the roof.  This causes the erosion of your roofing materials, which will lead to leaks in the house, interior water damage, and mold growth in the walls.

The water will also leak down the outside of the home, causing stains and mildew growth on the siding.  If the gutters are left unrepaired for a long time, the water can cause the foundation to erode as well. You’ll see flooding in the basement, a decrease in the soil level, and your house may develop structural decay.

Gutters, Gutter Guards, And Downspouts: A Primer

It’s important to be familiar with how your gutter system works in order to fully appreciate the problems that can surface when it fails.  There are 3 basic components of every system: the gutters, gutter guards, and downspouts.  Gutters are simple pathways that are installed along the perimeter of a home’s roof.  They collect rainwater and other water runoff. They’re installed to slope at a slight degree so that the water travels toward the downspouts.  The downspouts are vertically-installed pipes.  Their job is to carry water from the gutters to the ground.  The bottom of each downspout is arched away from the home to prevent water from collecting in the foundation.  Gutter guards are found at the junctures where the gutters connect to the downspouts.  They come in different formats, but perform the same basic job — they allow water to pass into the downspouts while preventing debris from doing the same.  Together, properly working gutters, gutter guards, and downspouts ensure that water runoff doesn’t damage your home

Damage To The Foundation Can Lead To Mold Growth

A cracked foundation can set the stage for mold growth.  As cracks allow water to leak into your home, mold will develop in the flooring, basement, and walls.  The more humidity there is in the air, the faster and more extensive the growth.  Mold in the home can trigger asthmatic attacks, as well as a variety of allergic reactions. Some individuals may even experience respiratory issues. The severity of the symptoms varies by the individual.

Cracks, Leaks, And Other Signs Of Trouble

How can you determine whether your home’s gutter system is working properly?  First, get into the habit of cleaning your gutters at least twice a year.  That alone should prevent blockages that cause water to back up and spill over the sides.  Second, while you’re cleaning your gutters, look for cracks.  Make a note of any that you find, even if they’re tiny.  Small cracks will grow with time, allowing water runoff to fall onto your home’s foundation.  Apply silicone caulk to fill the cracks.  Third, listen to how your gutters perform on rainy days.  You’ll be able to tell when rainwater is being properly directed to the downspouts.  You’ll also be able to tell when water is overflowing the sides of your gutters and hitting the ground beneath them.  When your gutters fail to do their job properly, your home becomes vulnerable to extensive water damage.  It’s important to identify the reason (or reasons) for the failure as soon as possible.  Small problems, such as tiny cracks or clogs stemming from accumulated debris, can be easily addressed. Bigger issues may warrant replacing the entire gutter system.