Month: March 2020

Many homeowners take great pride in their residences, and they want to be in control of every project or renovation. Amateurs can complete some home projects on their own, but only a professional should complete certain types of projects—including gutter installation.

Below you’ll find some of the most common DIY gutter installation mistakes people make. Take note of these before you attempt this type of project—or better yet, call a professional to handle it.

1. Choosing the Wrong Gutter Type

One of the biggest mistakes people make with their DIY gutter installation is choosing the incorrect type of gutters. Size of the home and the regional rainfall impact which type of gutter you should use.

Seamless gutters are usually the best choice of gutters, especially for Maryland residents who experience varying levels of rainfall and weather conditions.

It’s important to decide between half-round gutters, K-style gutters, and fascia gutters. Each of these styles can use different materials, depending on your budget and preference. These materials include aluminum, copper, zinc, or even vinyl.

You can also pick between sectional and seamless gutters. Sectional gutters are cheaper, but misplacing the seams can cause more issues in the future.

2. Choosing the Wrong Gutter Size

Another common issue many homeowners experience leading to incorrect gutter installation is choosing the wrong size. The gutter size will depend on the amount of rainfall your area receives and the layout of the home.

The steeper the roof pitch, the more rainwater will collect.

Don’t forget about snow and ice: cold climates risk ice dams building up in the gutter systems. This may require heat cables to melt any ice that blocks the gutters or downspouts.

3. Incorrect Gutter Hanger Placement

Some people make the mistake of placing their gutter hangers too far apart. Gutter hangers that are spread too far can sag and possibly break.

A sagging gutter can cause water to overflow, which may cause the landscape near a home’s foundation to erode. This could weaken the foundation and even cause a flooded basement.

Gutter hangers should be spaced approximately two to three feet apart from each other.

4. Improper Roof Pitch Calculation

Failing to account for the roof pitch can cause its own issues. Rainwater should travel down your roof directly to your gutter and downspouts.

If it’s not steep enough, water can pool and damage your roof. This can lead to mold to grow and weaken the structure. Ultimately, DIY gutter installation can lead to a mistake with this and cause further structural issues.

5. Improper Safety

Of course, doing any outside DIY gutters project without the proper knowledge can increase the chances of injuring yourself. When dealing with great heights such as with your gutter system, you can fall or put yourself at serious risk of doing so. Even with someone helping you, you could still end up in the emergency room.

For these reasons, you should always allow a professional gutter technician to take care of your gutters. Fortunately, we at Gutter Maid specialize in rain gutter installation and repair.

Gutters are some of the most vulnerable parts of any residence. They withstand weather, seasonal changes, and outdoor factors more than other components of a house. Given this, it’s no surprise that your gutters get damaged. Fortunately, these tips for preventing gutter damage will ensure your gutters remain stable and in good condition all year long.

Hail Damage

The best way to prevent hail damage is to have gutters made from heavy-duty materials, such as copper or stainless steel. These are the strongest gutter materials available and will resist impact from hail and other extreme weather conditions. Replace the brackets in the spring, summer, or fall to secure your gutter system in place. Since hail can damage your roof and siding too, nail down any loose shingles during the non-winter seasons to avoid further structural damage.

Snow Damage

For the snow, it’s best to install a de-icing system to avoid any ice dams or snow build-up. During the extreme cold, water can freeze inside your gutters which can cause them to expand and break. While proper insulation can help prevent this, the best solution is to install a heat cable through the gutters to melt ice and keep your gutters and downspouts clear.

Water Damage

While it might sound counter-intuitive for water to damage your gutters, it can happen. A good way to minimize water damage is to layer your gutters with water-resistant paint. This will seal any cracks or leaks that developed.

Foundational Damage

Damaged gutters can ruin your home’s structural integrity. As the gutters overflow, the water can pool on the roof and cause leaks and mold growth. It can also drip down and collect at the home’s base which can flood the basement or ground floor. To prevent this, point and extend your downspout away from your home to prevent water from collecting around your foundation. It’s also good to perform preventative maintenance around your home with routine checks at the base of your house to see if it sinks.

Clogged Gutters

Arguably, the best way to prevent clogged gutters to install gutter guards. These prevent debris from collecting. When gutters clog, they can lead to roof damage, pests, and a flooded basement. Keep in mind the different types of gutter guards available. There are mesh gutter guards, bottlebrush guards, metal or wire screen guards, foam guards, and reverse curve guards depending on your budget and preference.

Overflowing

There are many reasons why gutters overflow, but the main ones are excess debris, misalignment, too much rain, and simply not enough gutters or downspouts. It’s easy to clean the inside of your gutters, but you should also inspect any misalignment or other structural issues.

With all said and done, you should also have your gutter properly inspected. At Gutter Maid, we specialize in gutter installation in Bowie, Maryland. Our gutter installation and repair guarantee a top-quality gutter system for your residence. Call us today!