Month: September 2021

Can Clogged Gutters Lead To Ceiling Leaks?

Posted on September 30, 2021 by guttermaid - Gutter Cleaning

Your home features many architectural features that keep it safe and dry inside, one of which is your gutters. However, if you experience problems with your gutters, a whole host of subsequent issues can arise. One of the most common problems includes the gutter-roof relationship. Can clogged gutters lead to ceiling leaks?

How Gutters Clog

Gutters grab falling water and funnel it in an advantageous direction. This drainage system consisting of your gutters and downspouts keeps excess moisture from penetrating your home’s walls and foundation. However, gutters aren’t immune to the occasional blockage.

Gutters typically clog when rainwater collides with a buildup of smaller debris pieces, coagulating into a big mess. Leaves, dirt, bird nests, and more can all collect in your gutters. When these items fail to follow the stream down the gutter and plug the flow, you have a clog on your hands.

The Relationship Between Your Gutters and Ceiling

Your gutters and your roof live side-by-side on the exterior of your home. Though the gutter keeps water away from your house, a clogged gutter will fill with liquid, overflowing onto nearby structures, including the roof. Since the water will move from the gutter right to the roof, you can expect the water to get in.

What To Do About Leaks

If water comes dripping through your ceiling, the first thing to do is assess your gutter situation. If you notice significant blockages, you know the faulty hardware is to blame. Contact a gutter professional who can diagnose your gutter problem, fix the issue at the source, and build it back better to prevent further leaks. Depending on the extent of the leakage, you may need to treat for mold and repaint the ceiling.

Can clogged gutters lead to ceiling leaks? The short answer is yes. If you have any trouble with your gutters or downspouts that lead to other home misfortunes, reach out to us at Gutter Maid. Our team offers a gutter and downspout cleaning service that will remove all debris and prevent further damage to your home’s interior.

Seamless Gutter Install | Potomac, Maryland

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Lauren Noll - From Installation Site, Gutter Repair, Installation, Project

seamless gutter installation in Potomac Maryland

This Potomac, MD client replaced their old undersized gutters, with new 6 inch seamless aluminum gutters. Having a professionally installed gutter system is not only crucial for proper water management, but new gutters add aesthetic value as well. We offer over (26) different color options to compliment any style/color home.

The Importance of Properly Functioning Downspouts

Posted on September 10, 2021 by guttermaid - Gutter Cleaning

Your gutters operate as the primary water collection system for your home. While these hollow metal half-pipes only reach a certain distance and width, they prevent rainwater from collecting at your roof and seeping into your walls. Yet where does this water go once your gutters collect water near your roof? Here’s the importance of properly functioning downspouts.

Keep Water Away From the Foundation

Your home is weatherproof, but only up to a certain point. While your ceiling may not leak and your windows might not let in drafts, other parts of your house structure may have issues. One such area that you can’t see is your foundation. And damage to your foundation is a terrible problem to have.

Downspouts carry water away from your home’s structure underneath the soil. If you leave the water to collect where your home meets the ground, it’ll seep into the concrete and wood foundation, where unwanted moisture will wear the structure down. If enough water builds there, it could spell trouble for your home’s safety and stability.

Avoid Damp, Flooded Basements

Depending on your home’s style and location, you’ll likely have a basement floor of concrete. Although this surface is dense and relatively nonporous, your basement walls, windows, and doors don’t share these qualities. If you don’t have functioning downspouts, water will build up at your basement entry points until flooding begins.

Prevent Unsightly Yard Erosion

Your water drainage system doesn’t just preserve your home’s structural integrity; it also prevents unsightly yard erosion. Depending on the slope of your property and landscaping in your yard, you could have natural pockets and indentations that collect water. When your downspouts don’t carry excess water away from these areas, more water will pool in them, killing the grass and eroding the soil underneath.

Knowing the importance of properly functioning downspouts will keep your house in tip-top shape. If you want to avoid structural and landscaping problems, reach out to our team at Gutter Maid today. We can help you fix your downspouts and implement other drainage solutions with our gutter installation services.

How To Prepare Your Gutters Before the Leaves Fall

Posted on September 2, 2021 by guttermaid - Uncategorized

Fall foliage will clog your gutters in no time flat. The best way to keep this pesky debris from plugging up your water drainage system is to plan. Learn how to prepare your gutters before the leaves fall.

Start off Clean

The best way to prevent gutter damage and issues during the fall is by starting with a clean slate. Your gutters will collect dirt and debris at all times of the year. Instead of only cleaning once the leaves fall into your gutters, you should enter the season without any buildup. This way, any leaves that do fall into your gutters won’t add to the mess.

Install Leaf Protectors

If you want to go above and beyond simple pre-cleaning to full-on preparedness, you should install leaf protectors. These tools overlay your gutter openings, adding a grate between your concave gutter and the outside world.

When foliage falls toward your roof, it will land on the leaf protector instead of the gutter, making it easier to clear off. It will keep the gutter clear for operation. If you decide this is the ideal route for your autumn preparedness plan, our Gutter Maid team can help you install gutter leaf protection systems in no time.

Trim Nearby Trees

You can drastically decrease the autumnal impact on your gutters by trimming nearby trees. If you have very tall tree limbs, it’s time to say goodbye. The farther away they are from your gutters, the better. Trimming will maintain a cleaner gutter system than leaving your greenery unattended.

Knowing how to prepare your gutters before the leaves fall will keep rainfall flowing safely away from your home. Water drainage is vital to the safety and preservation of your property. Don’t let pesky leaves get in the way—contact us at Gutter Maid to set up a leaf protection system today.

For other Fall home maintenance tips, please click here.