If you neglect your home’s gutters, you could end up having all sorts of problems on your hands over the next few months. Snow, ice, rain, and all sorts of debris can pile up and clog your gutters, causing structural damage, basement flooding, and all kinds of other expensive issues.
Although keeping your gutters clean and properly maintained is essential, so is having them properly installed. If your gutters aren’t properly installed, you’re going to experience many more gutter-related problems.
Here are some gutter installation planning tips to keep in mind in order to avoid costly and damaging issues down the line:
- Inspect your roof — When you have to have new gutters installed on your home, you need to inspect every inch of your roof to ensure that there is nothing wrong. Take a look at the soffit and fascia for signs of rotted wood. If you do notice any rotted wood, you’ll have to have it replaced before new rain gutters are installed.
- Locate all the downspouts — To increase the capacity of your new gutter system, you should add more downspouts. Take a look around your house and identify where all the downspouts could be placed. Drawing a sketch of your home or roof will allow you to identify where the best spot for unobstructed downspouts. You’ll need one downspout for about every 30 to 40 linear feet of gutter. Additionally, it’s recommended to place downspouts in inconspicuous locations.
- Hire gutter cleaning technicians — Professional gutter cleaners aren’t just knowledgeable about gutter cleaning, but installation and maintenance tasks, as well. Since cutting, joining, and hanging gutter sections can be extremely difficult, it’s important to work with professionals who are experienced in gutter installation. Also, you likely won’t have all the required tools and materials necessary for installing a new gutter on your home. Though you most likely have a cordless drill and an extension ladder, you’ll still need a crimper, gutter flashing, gutter sealant, elbows, self-tapping hex head acres, rivets, gutter hanging strap, and other items — professional gutter services will have everything needed for this project.
If you’re looking for skilled local gutter installers and want to work with professional gutter installation services, give Gutter Maid a call today.