Winter often brings a slew of home care problems you seldom deal with any other time of year. Your gutters in particular can take a rough beating in the cold. Here’s what to do when your gutters are frozen.
What To Do When Your Gutters Are Frozen
Oversized, Seamless Aluminum Gutter Replacement | Frederick, Maryland
Clogged gutters and downspouts can be a big problem for homeowners. Gutters that are not properly flushed can lead to damage to your fascia and roofing. GutterMaid offers gutter flushing as one of their many gutter maintenance services. Check out these before and after photos of a customer in Gaithersburg, Maryland whose gutters are now fully functioning after a thorough cleaning and flush.
What You Should Know About Sagging Gutters
Home maintenance can be a drag, especially if you don’t know what to do about your problems. When your home exterior begins to fall apart, you should figure out what’s causing the issues. Here is what you should know about sagging gutters.
Common Catalysts for Sagging
Gutters don’t just start sagging and fall off your roof for no reason. There are a few common culprits behind this frustrating situation. Gutters often loosen up over time after a consistent barrage of rain, wind, leaves, and other debris. Heavy rainfall or immense leaf buildup will weigh down your gutters, placing undue strain on joints and fixtures that would otherwise be fine. Sagging can also happen due to warped materials. Every gutter only lasts so long before rust or other decay eats away at it.
Why Sagging Is a Problem
You may wonder why it’s such a big deal if your gutters sag a bit. Well, your gutters only work if they’re close to the roof to catch the water. If there’s a gap, water will likely miss your gutters. This extra water can then pool and flood your home, foundation, or yard. Sagging is also the first stage of gutters falling completely off the roof. In a shower of metal and small nails, unsecured gutters can fall on unsuspecting people. Keep everyone safe by addressing the problem at its source.
What To Do About Sagging Gutters
Before you do anything else, you should take photos of the gutter sagging for your records in case something was to happen involving falling gutters. See how bad the damage is and determine if you can make a quick fix yourself. Otherwise, call a gutter professional who can scale a ladder and examine the problem. A trained worker will have the tools and skill to either affix your gutters back to the roof or put up a new piece altogether.
What you should know about sagging gutters is they’re a hazard to you, your family, and your guests. You can keep your roof from falling by finding a quality gutter installation service like what we provide at Gutter Maid. Give us a call and solve your gutter issues today!
Gutter Cleaning with Flush | Gaithersburg, Maryland
Clogged gutters and downspouts can be a big problem for homeowners. Gutters that are not properly flushed can lead to damage to your fascia and roofing. GutterMaid offers gutter flushing as one of their many gutter maintenance services. Check out these before and after photos of a customer in Gaithersburg, Maryland whose gutters are now fully functioning after a thorough cleaning and flush.
Reasons To Choose Copper Gutters for Your Home
Though your gutters are an essential part of your home’s water drainage system, they do not have to detract from your home’s exterior charm. There are plenty of options, such as copper, that go beyond the simple white gutters you see on most homes. These are the top reasons to choose copper gutters for your home.
Superior Look
You put a lot of effort, time, and money into your home to make it clean and beautiful. However, you may have a difficult time accessorizing the exterior. Sure, you can work on the landscaping, but these alterations do not change the cosmetic appearance of the building itself. So, turn to items like your gutters. Though these pieces perform essential functions for your home’s protection, they need not be eyesores. Copper gutters make your home look stylish, polished, and attractive. Their gleam and hue will surely draw people’s eyes and bring your décor together.
Sustainable Material
Copper does not just look pretty; it also stays that way. One of copper’s metallic properties is its resistance to corrosion. Unlike other gutter materials that rust over time, copper stays shiny and bright all year long. No matter what debris or weather is common for your town, copper will remain rust-free. Thus, it is one of the most sustainable gutter options. This means there will be less to clean over time, reducing the cost of any repairs or replacements from rust. If you do need to replace your copper gutters, though, the material is recyclable, making it a better choice for the environment.
Flexible Frame
Copper is quite flexible compared to typical aluminum gutters. This is a critical property because it will not easily crack or break during weather extremes. High heat and freezing ice cause water and debris in your gutters to expand and contract. Copper’s flexibility allows your gutters to adapt to the seasons and reduce the need for repair and replacement down the road.
These are just a few reasons to choose copper gutters for your home. With the right research and application, you can find beautiful copper gutters for your house in no time. If you are looking for a gutter installation contractor to furnish your home with copper gutters, reach out to our professionals here at Gutter Maid today!
Full Gutter Replacement | Germantown, Maryland
New 6 inch seamless aluminum gutters, with Leaf Relief gutter protection for our customer in Germantown Maryland. Did you know that GutterMaid can match your gutters to your trim color at no additional cost?
How To Keep Your Gutters From Freezing
The cold fall and winter months are fast approaching, and it is time to anticipate your home’s exterior needs. When it comes to your water drainage system, you will need to figure out how to prevent wintry weather from damaging your setup. Here are some tips for how to keep your gutters from freezing.
Clear Out Debris
Debris is one of the top culprits for frozen gutters. If there are blockages along the route, water will not flow freely through your gutters and out your downspouts. These blockages allow water to pool, and if it is cold enough, form ice. So, before the first snow or frozen rain, clear out your gutters from fall foliage and other debris.
Shovel Your Roof
Keeping your gutters from freezing is no simple task and this preventative method is not for the faint of heart, but it is essential for those living in frigid and snow-laden regions. If you have a large amount of snow simply laying on your rooftop, try climbing up there and shoveling excess snow off. This will prevent any roof damage from the heavy snow and keep your gutters clear from overwhelming amounts of melting snow.
Check Your Gutter Slope
Though icicles are a beautiful part of the winter wonderland, they are a danger to anything underneath. With the right gust of wind, they will chip clean off and smash on the ground, hurting anyone or anything below. That is why you must check your gutter slope. Any excess water that does not flow down the gutters and downspouts will build and flow over the gutter sides, forming icicles. Before it becomes a problem, check your gutter slope to ensure proper exiting water flow. If you notice stagnant or slow-moving areas, make necessary repairs before winter weather sets in.
Consider Salting
When it snows or ices, you may salt your driveway and sidewalk, but you should consider salting your gutters as well. The additional sodium chloride will ensure any ice or snow that accumulates in your water drainage system will melt and properly evacuate. Salting is a simple and passive way to prevent ice dams and icicles—once you lay down the salt, you just wait for it to do its job.
Knowing how to keep your gutters from freezing keeps your drainage system safe and properly flowing all winter long. If you are looking for gutter repair or gutter installation in Silver Spring, MD, reach out to our professionals here at Gutter Maid today.
How Bad Gutters Can Affect Your Roof
Your gutters are an integral part of your home’s exterior. When it comes to your gutters, siding, and roof, you want them to be clean, whole, and well-maintained. However, poorly attended gutters can drastically impact your home health. This is how bad gutters can affect your roof.
Water Seepage
Water seepage is a serious problem that can move from your gutters to other places. Water trapped in your gutters can leak through gaps in your house’s exterior. Depending on the pitch and shape of your roof, water may creep up from the gutters to the roof itself, causing leaks that could move into your ceilings. If you begin noticing water damage on your ceilings, consider inspecting your gutters in addition to your roof. You will want to stop the problem at its source.
Mold and Mildew
Stagnant water that will not drain properly can cause mold to grow. This growth can then spread to your roof and other areas of your home. If there are holes or openings to the interior, you might find yourself with a serious mold problem in your walls—this poses a health risk to you and everyone else living in your home. You must protect your house from unwanted fungal growth like mold, mildew, algae, and moss.
Structural Damage
Bad gutters can affect your roof at the most basic levels. Structural damage to the roof is common when gutters are overflowing or clogged. This buildup is especially common after heavy rainfall, snow accumulation, or ice storms. Because your roof is not meant to bear this extra weight, the strain pulls on the foundational soffits and fascia. If these parts of your roof begin to bend or break, you could face significant repairs.
Understanding how bad gutters can affect your roof makes gutter installation and cleanliness an important aspect of homeownership. If you are looking for gutter installation in Columbia, MD, reach out to our professionals at Gutter Maid today!
Seamless Half Round Gutters | Montgomery County, Maryland
New seamless half round gutters for our customer in Montgomery County, MD. Commonly used #10 gutter brackets are the first part of a half round gutter system to fail. We use upgraded #15 gutter brackets, which will hold up to the weight of snow accumulation during the Winter months.
What Is a Drip Edge and Why Is It Important
When it comes to the roof over your head, you want to know if it is well-built and sustainable. One of the things that contribute to roof longevity is the drainage system. So, what is a drip edge and why is it important?
What Is a Drip Edge?
A drip edge is a piece of roofing trim that supports overhanging shingles. This angled piece of flashing helps redirect collected water from the fascia—that long board at the end of your roof—and into your gutters. Drip edges come in all shapes, colors, and material types. Because each roof has a slightly different angle, shape, and fit, the drip edge needs to be able to secure tight corners from damage. Also, the color options help you find the best matching style for your roof and home.
Why Is It Important?
The drip edge is an important part of every home because it serves to protect your roof. It helps prevent wood damage by adding a layer of protection from the elements. The drip edge redirects water to the gutters where it is designed to go. Without the drip edge, water can pool and flow in undesirable places. Altogether, the drip edge helps your roof last longer and saves you money long-term.
Do You Need It To Be Checked?
When it comes to your roof, you probably think about repairing or caring for it sparingly, especially since new roofs need only be installed every handful of years. However, it is critical to be aware of the state of your roof. If you need your roof, gutters, or drip edges checked, consider contacting gutter installation companies like us here at Gutter Maid. By staying on top of all wear and tear, you can prevent serious damage from occurring.
Hopefully by asking the questions, “what is a drip edge and why is it important,” you are better prepared to care for your roof. Reach out to a member of our team today if you have any more questions about drip edges, gutters, or leaf protection.