defining gutter jobs and knowing when to need one

DEFINING GUTTER JOBS AND KNOWING WHEN TO NEED ONE

THE BASICS OF GUTTER INSTALLATION



PART 1The Basics of Gutter

InstallationIt won’t be surprising if your gutter is the last thing that comes to your mind when thinking about home improvement projects. However, your gutter system works hard to protect your home from moisture damage so it deserves attention as well. We’ll be starting things off by going back to the very beginning

and discussing gutter installation.



THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER GUTTER INSTALLATION

Gutters are designed to funnel water off of the roof and away from your home and its parts, such as the siding, foundation, doors, and windows, protecting them from moisture damage. When gutters are not properly installed, they are not in their best capacity to direct rainwater away, allowing it to pool and fall where it shouldn’t. Aside from causing possible problems with your home’s foundation, leaks can also develop from gutter runoff, leading to problems both inside and outside the home.

THE IDEAL GUTTER SYSTEM

Gutters come in various types, materials, shapes, sizes, colors, and prices and what’s ideal for you will be determined by what your needs are. Taking advantage of options available to you ensures that you find the best one for you and your home. Take into consideration the following:

• Materials. You can choose from aluminum, plastic or vinyl, copper, and cast iron or steel.



• Profiles. The basic gutter shapes or profiles are half-round, box, square line, and k-style.

• Sectional vs. Seamless. Sectional gutters are sold in pieces of standard lengths and installed as component systems. Seamless gutters, on the other hand, are extruded to custom lengths using a portable machine on site.

• Downspouts. The size and number of downspouts depend on the capacity and design of your gutter system. Basically, you will need one downspout for every 30 to 40 feet of gutter. Additionally, they must be wide enough to accommodate the expected volume of water.

• Proper Pitch. Gutters must be properly pitched to allow water to continuously flow. Ideally, there should be a slope of 1/2 inch for every 10 feet of gutter.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING GUTTER INSTALLATION

Gutter installation must be planned carefully and your gutter system must be designed well for it to perform its best. Installation techniques vary depending on the type, size, and material of the gutter but ample preparation measures must be taken prior to the installation. For instance, if your fascia boards need to be painted, repaired, or replaced, these must be done before the new gutters are attached. Long sections of roofing felt, if any, must also be trimmed back to ensure that they do not block water flow.



During installation, the right pitch, proper spacing of mounting or hanger system, and correct positioning of the gutters and downspouts must be considered and done carefully. The gutter system must also be tested right after installation to make sure that no water is leaking or going to places where they don’t need to be.

During installation, the right pitch, proper spacing of mounting or hanger system, and correct po-sitioning of the gutters and downspouts must be considered and done carefully. The gutter system must also be tested right after installation to make sure that no water is leaking or going to places

where they don’t need to be.



PART 2Gutter Repair or

Replacement?Generally, a properly installed gutter system can last a long time, from 20 to 30 years. However, this does not mean that they won’t be needing repair jobs in between. If you have an older home and if you have not had your gutter checked for quite some time, you might even be surprised to find out that it has a number of problems that can no longer be solved by mere repairs. In this post, we will give you some info and ideas that can help you choose between gutter repair or replacement once

the need arises.


GUTTER REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT?

COMMON GUTTER PROBLEMS

Before all else, let’s have a quick discussion about the common gutter problems that you may encounter.

• Clogs. Your gutters may be clogged with different kinds of debris, from leaves to bird nests and even objects like tennis balls and dead animals. If you have not cleaned your gutters in a while, organic wastes may have already decomposed and hardened to the point that they block water flow when it rains.

• Sagging. Gutters may pull away from the house because of an extreme weather disturbance or due to a broken hanger or spike. Sagging can also be caused by the excessive weight of debris in the gutter.

• Leaks. If your gutters are not blocked and yet water is still dripping here and there, it is an indication that you have a leaky gutter. Leaks typically happen at the joints between gutter sections, but it can also occur through cracks caused by rust, corrosion, or other damage.

• Improper Pitch. If water is standing in your gutters despite the absence of blockage, it must be improperly pitched.


GUTTER REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT?

REPAIR OR REPLACE?

Many gutter problems can be repaired. However, if the damage has been there for quite a while, it is possible that it has already gave way to other issues. The main factor to consider when deciding between repairing and replacing gutters is the extend of the damage.

For instance, if there are only one or two problematic spots, it is likely that you can get your gutter back into shape with repairs. But, if a number of gutter sections are already showing signs of irreversible damage, then replacing the entire system may prove more cost-effective. If you also find yourself carrying out repairs too frequently, that’s also a sign that you’re due for a replacement.

If you still can’t decide between getting gutter repairs and a replacement, don’t hesitate to call on a professional. A contractor can give your gutter system a check, providing you with an expert assessment of your gutters’ current condition and recommendations that will be best address issues found.

Want to know how you can avoid having to decide between repair and replacement? Keep posted as we talk about gutter cleaning and maintenance. Head on

over to Part 3 of this blog series to learn more!



PART 3Gutter Maintenance

Tips and Recommended Solutions

The first step to extending the life and functionality of your gutter system if to have them regularly cleaned and maintained. These are tasks that you can easily forget and ignore, but if you don’t want to risk damaging your home, you won’t dare do so. After all, most gutter problems are associated with the accumulation of debris and wastes. Read on and get the basic tips and knowledge that you need to keep your gutters in

great condition.


GUTTER MAINTENANCE TIPS AND RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS

THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR GUTTER CLEANING AND

MAINTENANCEThis can never be stressed enough. If your gutters are poorly maintained, water can find its way to places where it shouldn’t go. It can flow and fall around your foundation and slowly but surely creep into your basement or crawl space. This can lead to not just moisture-related problems and mold and mildew buildup but structural concerns as well. If your gutters are clogged, water can get behind them and rot the fascia boards and adjacent roof parts. The gutters may collapse completely. Pests and more water can also find their way inside your roof when your gutters have been compromised.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU DO GUTTER CLEANING AND WHEN?

Cleaning your gutters twice a year is ideal. If there are trees around your house, you may need to do it more often to ensure leaves don’t accumulate too much and clog your gutters. It is best to have your gutters cleaned in late fall after most or all of the leaves have already fallen. You should also do it in early summer when pollen, flower petals, and seeds tend to collect.


GUTTER MAINTENANCE TIPS AND RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS

THE EXTRAS THAT ADD VALUE: GUTTER GUARDS

Gutter cleaning is hardly attractive so it’s perfectly understandable it’s not at the top of the list you’re excited about. Unfortunately, it must be done. Fortunately, you can hire a professional to do the cleaning for you. But you know what’s even better? Getting gutter guards. They are great because they are designed to prevent clogging, keeping all kinds of debris out of your gutters so water can flow freely. Gutter guards can also handle even the heaviest of rains so you don’t have to worry about rainwater being impeded as it reaches your gutter system.

Having the best gutter system involves making sure that installation is done properly, that it is cleaned and maintained regularly, and problems are remedied right away. If you need help checking your gutters or choosing the best system suitable for your home, don’t hesitate to call a gutter

installation professional today.



XTERIOR PRO1243 Tom Ginnever Avenue, O’Fallon,

MO 63366

(636) 200-6600www.xteriorpro.com

http://www.xteriorpro.com

defining gutter jobs and knowing when to need one

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