Gutters are an important element of your home. They keep water away and prevent different types of water damage. However, you may wonder, how long should gutters last on a house? If you want to know the lifespan of your gutters, the importance of maintenance, or potential signs of damage, check out our guide today!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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The exterior of your home or apartment likely has a gutter system to funnel water away from the foundation. While this is an incredibly efficient system, there are ways that it can go wrong—namely, with animal gutter invaders. Here are the most common critters that may be living in your gutters.
You have all kinds of accoutrements and pieces in your home that don’t immediately make sense. Yet, everything from nonfunctional shutters to roof gutters serves a purpose. To address any misconceptions, here are common gutter myths: separating fact from fiction.
Your gutters are an essential part of your home’s water drainage system. Yet, undue amounts of debris render them less effective. If you lack trees in your yard, you may think that no debris gets into your gutters. Though foliage is the main culprit of clogged gutters, it isn’t the only thing that can stop your water flow. Check your gutters regularly for debris and have a cleaning service wash out any chunks of dirt or ice in your gutters.
Many people think that gutters don’t work during severe storms. This is simply not true. Yes, gutters only operate at a maximum capacity and can become overrun with water. But this doesn’t mean they aren’t performing their essential duties. Gutters chiefly work to funnel water away from vulnerable places, such as your home’s foundation. When the sky rains heavily, water still flows through the usual channels even if a bit ends up spilling over the top. Your gutters still reduce the amount of water that pools in harmful spots.
Gutter guards are quite useful and reduce the number of problems with your gutters year-round. However, that doesn’t mean smaller items like small twigs, dirt, and other debris don’t make it past your protectors. You will need maintenance on your gutters, so check your system’s state from time to time. Without oversight and preparedness, you could have gutter issues even with guards in place.
These common gutter myths that separate fact from fiction can help you better assess your home’s exterior. If you need the help of a gutter installation service to address and fix any problems, contact our team at Gutter Maid today.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
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?
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.
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.
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.
