How Professional Gutter Companies Can Help You Solve Common Gutter Problems
Gutters play a huge role in preventing water damage to homes. They’re designed to drain rainwater from the foundation, but clogs, holes, or sagging gutters can prevent this. Getting your gutters back in working order is more manageable with professional help. A professional will know how to make precise cuts, measure for proper pitch, and ensure a good fit.
1. Leaks
Gutters can get leaky due to damaged sections, loose seams, sagging, and even weathering. These problems can lead to severe home damage, including rotting fascia boards and basement flooding. Gutter companies Salem contractors can seal leaks in gutters by using silicone or a particular gutter caulking compound to create a watertight bond. They will also look for signs of sagging and standing water to determine the root cause of the problem.
Sagging indicates that the gutters are not draining correctly and are overloaded with water. Gutter repair experts will check for loose hangers and adjust the slope of the channels to resolve this issue. Gutter repair companies can also replace or rehang the gutters to prevent further damage.
2. Clogging
One of the most common gutter problems homeowners experience is clogging. Debris, twigs, leaves, seeds, and sediment fall into the gutter, causing a buildup that hinders water flow. If not resolved in time, this can lead to foundation issues, roof damage, and other costly home repairs. Keeping up with regular cleaning is the best way to prevent clogging issues. This also helps keep pests away and your roof clean, reducing the fire risk. Gutters need a specific pitch, or angle, to drain correctly.
A slight deviation from the recommended slope can inhibit water flow and create standing or pooling water in the gutter trough. This can cause water and debris to overflow the gutters, creating other issues. Gutter extensions help solve this problem by adding a downspout outlet to the bottom of your gutter to discharge water further from your house. You can install these yourself, but if you need more time to get comfortable working from a ladder, consider hiring a professional gutter company to do it for you.
3. Rust
Gutters perform a crucial task by routing rainwater away from your roof and home. If they need to do their job correctly, it can lead to rot, mold, and water damage. This is why it’s essential to have a well-functioning gutter system. Luckily, a few basic fixes can fix most common gutter problems.
Leaking gutters can usually be solved by covering rusted spots with roofing and gutter repair tape (available at home centers and hardware stores). To prepare the surface, wire-brush it to remove loose paint and give the video a smooth, sticky surface to bond to the metal.
If you’re considering a gutter replacement project, hiring a contractor qualified to work on your property safely and within the law is essential. They must also have workers’ compensation and liability insurance to ensure that both you and they are protected from any risks. It’s a wise choice to select a company that offers different types of gutters, such as seamless, half-round, and copper.
4. Sagging
Gutters have a significant job, rerouting water away from your roof and house. However, gutter problems can prevent them from doing that job well, causing damage to your home. The best way to avoid these problems is by having your gutters professionally maintained twice a year.
Gutter repair professionals will usually check for leaks by looking for standing water or marks on the inside of your gutters. They will also look for any sections that sag or pull away from the house. They will then replace the gutter hangers or rehang those sections, restoring your gutters’ functionality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if a section of your gutters is sagging, water is collecting in that area and not draining to the ground. Adding a downspout to that section of your gutter may be helpful so it can drain more quickly. It is also possible that the gutter hangers in this section are loosened due to age or wear.