WHY GUTTER MAINTENANCE MATTERS – FAMILY ROOFING

Posted on by David Reid

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WHY GUTTER MAINTENANCE MATTERS

The arrival of spring showers makes this the perfect time to tackle essential gutter maintenance.  Properly functioning gutters are critical to protecting your home from water damage.  As temperatures rise, downpours become more frequent.  Now is the moment to get ahead of the weather by ensuring your gutter system is cleared of debris and ready for the growing season.

It’s important to understand why gutter maintenance should be a top priority.  Properly functioning gutters have a big impact on protecting your home from water damage in several key ways:

  • Direct water away from the foundation – Clogged gutters can lead to overflow and cause flooding around the perimeter of your home.  This moisture against the foundation leads to mold, mildew, cracked walls, and water damage.

  • Prevent erosion and landscaping damage – Overflowing gutters wash out areas surrounding the foundation and driveway.  This leads to costly erosion, soil loss, and damage to landscaping.

  • Protect exterior paint and siding – Moisture seeping behind gutters leads to peeling paint and warped siding.  Keeping gutters clear protects your investment in home exteriors.

  • Reduce interior water damage – Backups can seep into attics and ceilings, resulting in mold growth and dripping that damages drywall and insulation.

Regular gutter cleaning and inspection ensures your system can handle heavy rains and spring snow melts, keeping excess moisture far away from your home.

INSPECT GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS

The first step is a thorough visual inspection of your entire gutter system.  Walk around your home and look for any visible sagging or detachment of gutters from the roof line.  Ensure downspouts are securely fastened and clear of obstructions.  Scan for small holes or cracks that may have developed over time.  Catching minor issues now can prevent major headaches later.

Also, check that all downspouts are effectively directing water away from the foundation.  Use a hose to test proper drainage.  If you notice pooling water, splash back on the siding, or downspouts discharging too close to the home’s perimeter, adjust as needed.  Proper downspout extensions should discharge at least several feet from the foundation.

CHECK FOR PROPER SLOPE

Also known as gutter pitch, gutter slope describes the amount that gutters slant downward along the natural path of water flow against the house.  Your home’s gutters are installed horizontally across the face of your fascia board.  They are typically angled toward one of the downspouts located on either the left side or right side of the system.  The goal is for water to easily drain toward the chosen downspout.

CLEAR GUTTER DEBRIS

When leaves, debris, dirt, and twigs get trapped inside gutter systems, it prevents them from working efficiently.

However, when clean and free of clogs, rain gutters have an important job to do.  They provide the following benefits:

  • Redirect rainwater from your roof away from your house

  • Minimize moisture and condensation from windows and window sills

  • Protect the exterior and interior walls from heavy rain

  • Keep water out of the basement and off the foundation

FLUSH GUTTERS COMPLETELY 

Once cleared of debris, do a final rinse of all gutters using a hose.  Make sure any remaining dirt and smaller debris are completely washed away.  Flush from one end to the other and ensure the colored runoff has turned clear.  This removal of organic matter will help prevent future clogs and deposits.

INSPECT CONNECTIONS AND HANGERS

 

CHECK FOR GUTTER DAMAGE

In addition to debris removal and testing slope, inspect gutters closely for any damage. Look for holes, cracks, splits, rust spots, or any separated seams. Note any areas that need patching or replacement. For metal gutters, check for hangers that may be pulling away from fascia boards. Mark any spots needing reinforcement. Even minor damage can turn major when spring storms hit.

DIAGNOSE AND ADDRESS LEAKS

Gutter leaks can lead to expensive water damage if they go unnoticed, so check for them carefully.

Leaks are one of the most serious issues to address. Start by looking for visible drips underneath joints during dry weather. Check for water stains or rust rings as clues to potential leak locations. For smaller pinhole leaks, a waterproof sealant can patch small holes. Larger cracks or detached seams will require gutter repairs. This may involve replacing individual damaged sections or hanging new gutters. For ongoing chronic leaks even after repairs, complete gutter replacement may be required.

UNCLOG DOWNSPOUTS

Inspection is finished once you’ve checked the full length of downspouts for any clogs.  Use a hose to send water downward, checking for clear flow.  Remove elbows and clean out any debris blockages that may have accumulated.  Prevent future clogging by installing downspout filters or guards to keep leaves and pine needles from entering.  Clear downspouts are key for proper drainage.

CONSIDER INSTALLING GUTTER GUARDS

To reduce future debris accumulation and minimize required maintenance, install gutter guards, or leaf filters.  These mesh screens fit over the gutters, preventing leaves and debris entry while still allowing water to flow.  Guards help cut down on time-consuming gutter cleaning.  If you haven’t gone the route of installing gutter covers then you are most likely in need of maintenance and cleaning out of your gutter system.

CONCLUSION

So, are gutters necessary? Because of the extra layer of protection these systems offer, they’re considered a vital addition to most homes!

Gutters add to a house’s main defense, saving homeowners lots of money in structural damages. They keep water from directly eroding the soil around the house, which helps protect the foundation.