Your gutters keep your house protected from all kinds of costly water damage. When a gutter is allowed to fall into disrepair, the leaking water can cause wood rot, staining, and other harm to your roof, siding, deck, and porch. It can also seep into your home’s foundations, cause flooding in your basement, and erode your landscaping. If you notice the following common causes of gutter damage, have one of your nearest gutter replacement companies repair it right away.
Clogged-Up Gutters
Gutters can sometimes become blocked by leaves, seeds, branches, pinecones, and other debris, especially if you have tall trees near your roof. Not only does clogging prevent the water from flowing freely, but it also attracts birds and insects that like to build nests in the debris.
One solution to clogging is good gutter guards, which act as a protective screen over the water flow. It’s also advisable to clean your gutters twice a year or any time you suspect a blockage. The two best times of the year to clean gutters are usually the end of fall and the start of spring.
Damaged Gutter Joints
Most traditional gutters are formed of multiple sections. This necessitates joints where the sections meet. These joints are especially susceptible to leakage and can worsen blockage.
If you notice a leak, check first that none of your gutter’s joints have become dislodged or cracked apart. During winter, ice damage can take a toll on gutter joints. Also, consider installing modern seamless gutters, which don’t have any joints, last longer, and are easier to clean.
Bad Gutter Pitching
Gutters need to have a slight pitch, or slant, to encourage water flow. It’s generally recommended to have a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet of gutter. If any of your gutter’s pitching is off, you’re far more likely to experience a pooling of water, a buildup of debris, and overflow.
Insufficient Downspouts
Hayden and Coeur d’Alene average 26 inches of rainfall each year. For this amount of rain, it’s unwise to have fewer than one downspout for every 20 feet of guttering. If you find your gutters sometimes overflowing, you might simply need a few more downspouts installed.
Poor Installation
Some gutter damage comes down to bad luck. Other times it’s due to poor-quality installation. Sooner or later, improperly secured gutters will start to sag, clog up, spring a leak, or crack at the joints.
Following any repair or installation work, always examine the gutters closely to check whether they were installed properly or poorly. As with most important home improvement jobs, nothing beats precise installation by experienced professionals.
How Gutter Replacement Companies Can Help
A good gutter and roofing service company can properly repair and clean your gutters. It can adjust the pitching, install the ideal type of gutter guard, and put in just the right number of downspouts for your house size and shape.
Contact Precision Gutters & Roofing today. We’re a local family-owned and operated business that’s been helping out the area’s homeowners for over 20 years.