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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.

 

SPRING MAINTENANCE OF YOUR RAIN GUTTERS

With all the home maintenance tasks that pile up in the spring, it’s easy to forget about cleaning the gutters.  Don’t ignore this important chore!  If you don’t clear debris from your gutters, you could be heading for roofing, siding, and foundation issues in the months ahead.

Spring has officially arrived, and that means a whole host of outdoor chores for homeowners.  One of the most important but often overlooked tasks is checking gutters for winter debris and damage.

A properly functioning gutter system protects your home from water damage by draining water from the roof and funneling it away from the house.  When the gutters and downspouts are clogged, however, water can back up and damage the roof, fascia, soffits, and siding.

Winter can be intense.  The elements take a toll on your home, both inside and out.  Your roof is one of your first lines of defense against these elements, which is why we recommend including a comprehensive inspection and maintenance of your roof when spring arrives.  However, one area that often goes overlooked during this inspection is your home’s gutter system.  We’re not too sure why people skip this step, but it is just as important as everything else.

Why?  Well, your gutters are what direct water away from your home.  It is a draining system that makes sure water doesn’t leak into unwanted places and create costly damage.  Gutters help to protect your shingles, siding, soffits and more.  When they aren’t working properly, they can even start to degrade the stability of your home through soil and foundation erosion.  At the end of the day, gutters are just as important to inspect as the rest of your home.

Damage to your gutters can happen quickly.  Even if you only have mild damage, the weight and continual pressure from built up water and debris can turn an easily fixable annoyance into a major problem.  That’s why inspection and maintenance is so important.  The best time to make these inspections is during the spring months, right after the harsh winters but before the heavy rains begin to fall.  Add it to your list of chores and make sure you not only inspect them but to also clean them and take proper maintenance care as spring turns into summer.

Clean Out Your Gutters

In order to clean your downspout, you can first try to use more water.  Turn the pressure up high and run a hose either up the bottom or down the top.  If it is not coming clean then you can get a plumber’s snake and run that through.  At the end of the day if this doesn’t work, you’ll likely need to take apart your downspout to remove it and find the cause of the clog.  Since larger items sometimes get stuck inside, removing the downspout will allow you to quickly, and easily, get everything back into working order.

After you’ve cleaned away all of the debris, start working on the smaller residue and mold buildup.  When you add these details to your cleaning routine, you’ll ensure that your gutters stay slick and clean to easily expel debris.  We recommend working from the downspout up, so that when you clean the rest of your gutters, things will easily flow out and prevent another blockage.  Try finding a good cleaner with a strong concentration to tackle this step.  Another benefit is that when you take good care of your gutter system, you can fight corrosion and increase lifespan.  Finish this off with a good rinse and your gutters are ready to go.

Check For Damage

As you clean your gutters, it’s important to keep an eye out for any visible damage.  We recommend cleaning them fully before the more intensive inspection, as once they are clean you will be able to look for less subtle damage.  Get on your roof and take a good look at the entirety of your system.  Keep an eye out for any small corrosion, sagging and even small holes.  Additionally, make sure that all of the fasteners are intact and secured tightly.

If you find that a few areas of your gutters are sagging, it’s usually an easy fix.  This often results simply from loose or missing fasteners.  If they’re loose, all you need to do is tighten them and it should take care of the sagging.  When there are areas that are missing fasteners, just replace them.  They’re inexpensive and easy to purchase at your local home improvement store if you don’t have any extras at home.

Sometimes damage occurs and gutters get cracks or holes.  If this happens then you’ll need to make a decision.  If they are small, and you feel comfortable repairing them yourself, then you can use a gutter sealer to mend the problem areas. However, if they are large and seem difficult to repair with simple sealer, you’ll want to call a professional. You will likely need to get the damaged sectioned replaced, but in the long run doing these small replacements is much better and cheaper than waiting for something to break and cause more damage.

You can also check for any unseen damage on a rainy day.  If you don’t see water coming out in a steady flow from the downspout, then there might be some underlying issues.  Additionally, you should not have any water overflow or leakage from your gutters.

When your gutter damage goes undetected or unfixed, it can start to cause problems for your home’s fascia boards.  The longer problems go unattended, the more expensive things can get. It can even get to a point where you need to replace fascia board, decking, siding and rafters! If you think that your gutters are beyond repair, call a professional and get a quote to get them replaced.

Maintain Your Gutters

Remember, debris and buildup can occur even a week after you’ve cleaned and repaired your gutters.  The important thing is to maintain gutter care through the warm months in order to avoid long-lasting damage.  If there are strong windstorms or even a heavy rain, take a few minutes during the weekend to get up and make sure that everything is still clean and in working order.  It’s recommended at the very least, to do a comprehensive clean and check at least twice a year – in the spring and right before winter hits.

If you live in an area that has heavier and frequent rainfall you can add another clean into your schedule sometime in between.  You’ll also want to consider extending your downspout so that water is expelled farther away from your foundation or into a drywell.  This will make sure that the integrity of your home remains intact and not damaged from flooding.

Taking the time to inspect, clean, repair and maintain your gutters is an important part of home care.  Keep it on your to-do list and you’ll reap the benefits.

When to Call a Professional

Sometimes, unfixable damage does happen.  After an overly harsh winter, strong winds or long-term regular wear and tear you may need to fix or replace your gutter system. If you find that your gutters need a bit more than just some spring-cleaning, then it’s best to call in the professionals.

When you choose to hire a professional rather than attempting to fix or repair on your own, you can rest easy knowing that the job will be done right the first time around. Professionals have a level of experience and expertise that comes with years of work and dedication.  If you’re unsure about self-inspection, professionals will make sure that you don’t miss anything that could lead to costly repairs in the future. Hiring a professional contractor gives you peace of mind and can help you save money over time.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS TO LOOK FOR WITH YOUR GUTTERS

Clogged Gutters

It’s recommended you clean your home’s gutters twice each year—once in the spring and once in the fall.  This helps prevent the buildup of leaves, sticks, and other debris.  To clean gutters, remove debris from gutters by hand while wearing gloves.  Use a wire brush to loosen stubborn accumulations. Rinse gutters with a hose to remove remaining dirt and leaves.

Holes or Gaps in Gutters

If you notice a hole in your gutters, start by cutting a piece of sheet metal to fit over the hole.  On the inside of the gutter, spread roofing cement around the edges of the hole. Gently bend the sheet metal and press into roofing cement. Coat the patch with additional cement and let dry.

Rusty Gutter Spots

Minor rust spots may appear on gutters due to outdoor elements. Luckily, they’re fairly simple to repair.  Using a wire brush, thoroughly scrape away the rust on gutters.  With a putty knife, apply a thin coat of roofing cement.

Detached Gutters or Downspouts

Gutters that have pulled away or detached can cause water to run down your home’s exterior toward the foundation, potentially leading to leaks and damage.  To fix a detached gutter, drive a pilot hole, and secure the gutter or downspout with U-shape brackets and short sheet-metal screws.

Missing Downspouts

If a portion of your downspout is missing, it’s fairly simple to fix.  Start by measuring the section that needs to be replaced. Using a hacksaw, cut a new section of the downspout, being careful to cut square.  File the edges and secure using U-shape brackets and screws. Seal the seam with gutter caulk.

Damaged Gutter Guards and Strainers

Regularly cleaning your gutters can be a time-consuming and potentially dangerous activity, especially if you are mobility-impaired.  Thankfully there is a way to avoid problems by adding a gutter cover.  Covers will help prevent excess debris from accumulating in your gutters.

Fan-Like Patterns Near Downspouts

Downspouts are the connecting pieces that distribute water down from your gutters and away from your foundation  Unfortunately, depending on the type of gutter system you have, your downspouts may occasionally dislodge. When this happens, rushing water can’t flow away from your home.  Instead, it can pool or spray out into your landscaping. If you’re noticing fan-like patterns in the landscaping around your downspouts, this is a good indicator that you need to adjust your gutter system.  Properly securing your downspouts and adding other extenders can help move the flowing water away from your foundation.

Upgrade and Repair Your Home’s Gutter System

Gutters help channel rainwater and snow away from your home’s foundation.  If your gutter system is compromised, your house may become susceptible to basement flooding, cracks in the foundation, and all other kinds of expensive damages.  If you see any cracks, sagging, or pooling of water in your gutters, it’s time to call a professional.