You’re in the habit of waiting until the gutters “really” need cleaning. Or you’ve noticed a couple of sagging gutter sections at the front of the house, but don’t think it’s worth calling a professional just yet. Waiting until a gutter emergency occurs can be expensive and might do real damage to your home’s exterior. Here are some sound reasons to call a gutter contractor before your gutters reach crisis mode.
Longevity
Repairing minor damage such as rust spots, loose brackets or leaking seams stops the problem from becoming worse. Leaking seams eventually lead to rusting, an indication of metal deterioration. The weight of water running through a system with loose nails or brackets puts extra stress on both the gutters and fascia.
Regular cleaning reduces the chance of clogs forming in the gutter channel, around the gutter outlet or in the downspouts. Whether it’s doing repairs right away or hiring a gutter cleaning service, regular maintenance will help extend the life of the gutters.
New Home
Even when the roofing system received a passing grade as part of the home inspection prior to the purchase of your new home, call a gutter contractor after living in the house for at least 18 months. Ask them to check:
- the gutter slope
- if more downpipes are needed
- that the downspouts of a multi-level roof are draining directly into the gutters below and not onto the roof itself
- if a drip edge needs to be added (applicable to homes 15 years and older)
Relocating Downspouts
Does the downspout snake inelegantly around your backyard deck? Do all the downpipes on the house manage to cross paved areas including the driveway? Ensuring that downspouts are being properly diverted will protect your home from potential foundation damage. Get advice and help from a gutter installation company on where the downspouts should be relocated or if downspout extenders or splash blocks are required.
Improve Downspout Efficiency
Call a gutter contractor to improve downspout efficiency when downpipes are:
- situated too close to the house
- draining into the neighbour’s yard
- can’t seem to handle current water volume
- keep clogging for no obvious reason
