One of the biggest investments a person will make is purchasing their own home. If you have found a way to invest in your forever home, even in these tough economic times, you want to do all you can to protect it. The best way to do that is to purchase a reliable gutter system that guards your home’s exterior from devastating water damage. When you’re in the market for a new or replacement gutter system, here are some things to remember when having gutters installed.
Don’t Forget the Reason
It can be easy to get distracted by new products, shiny copper gutter accessories, and “extras” such as leaf protectors, downspout extenders, or splash blocks.
You might think that adding leaf guards to your gutter system will be a good thing but if you don’t know what kind or how many trees you might be buying the wrong kind. If the downspouts for the new gutter system will be seven to 10 feet away from the foundation, you won’t need a splash block or a downspout extender. Copper gutters are beautiful and do a home exterior proud, but since they have a lifespan of 50 plus years and you plan on moving in the next five years, it could become an unnecessary expense.
Don’t forget the reason you are having the gutters installed in the first place – damaged beyond repairing; seamless gutters are more economical for your budget; upgrading will improve functionality.
Don’t DIY
Even if you enjoy do-it-yourself projects on a regular basis, unless you’ve done a gutter installation before, installing gutters can be a complicated business. Professional gutter installation technicians know the handling methods required for each kind of gutter material and how to install it correctly.
If you have opted for seamless aluminum gutters, DIY is not an option. Seamless gutters are manufactured on-site and are custom fit to the measurements of your roof. Whether you are having sectional or seamless gutters installed, hiring a professional contractor will give you the greatest peace of mind.
Get it Done Right
Water damage is serious. It can also be very insidious: if not immediately detected, it can go undiscovered for months, even years leading to stained ceilings (interior) and siding (exterior). It is important to choose a reputable gutter contractor who will install your gutter system correctly right from the start. When installed properly, for example, a seamless aluminum gutter system has a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
Do the Prep Work
Once you have signed the contract and agreed on an installation day, the gutter contractor might have some “homework” for you. Before installing the new gutters, the contractor might ask you to do the following:
- Be at home to receive delivery of supplies on a day before the actual installation date
- Provide assured parking on street
- Ensure easy access to installation site
- Prepare for installation day by closing windows, keeping pets inside, clearing the area around exterior walls, and make sure there is an unobstructed path from the driveway to an entry door
