It’s raining, it’s pouring; the old man is snoring. That is until the gutters fail, and you have a serious problem on your hands. Gutters are a vital part of your home that can often be taken for granted; many homeowners do not know much about the gutter systems that protect their homes. Here are four things you must know about gutters to ensure the safety of your home.
Why Have Gutters?
Unless you live in a region that receives little rain, you are likely to need gutters. Why? It is because water ruins everything. When you get just an inch of rain on an average-sized roof, that means almost 2000 gallons of water will be plummeting off the side of your house. An extreme amount of water will build-up on the edges of your home, possibly leading to water damage throughout the inside and outside of your home. Gutters catch that water from your roof and redirect it away from your home, thus protecting your home from water damage.
The Design of Gutters
There are three things to consider when deciding on a design for your gutters: Length, width, and material. The length is pretty simple, all you need to do is measure the length of your roof on each slope.
Determining the width of your gutters can be a bit more complicated. First, check local zoning laws as they may already have a required size. If they don’t, you will need to brush up on those math skills and figure out the square area of your roof. The more rain you get results in the increased size of the gutter.
Lastly, you need to decide which material you want. Gutters come in a variety of materials, including vinyl, aluminum, steel, zinc, and cooper. Each one has its own pros, cons, and price. It is wise to research which material provides the best benefits for where you live before picking one out.
Installation of Gutters
If you have DIY construction experience, it is possible for you to install your gutters on your own. However, it is highly recommended to hire a gutter installation specialist. These specialists will ensure that your gutters are installed seamlessly and optimize them to provide the best quality service for your home.
Maintenance of Gutters
Many homeowners forget about their gutters until something goes wrong, yet they need maintenance just like any other aspect of your home. You should clean and inspect your gutters at least once a year, and if your home is close to trees, it may need to be more often. If there are any cracks or holes in your gutters, call your gutter installation specialist to get it repaired immediately.
All you need to do to clean your gutters is grab a ladder, a bucket, gloves, and a small hand shovel. Up the ladder you go, and you can scoop out the gutter debris into the bucket. If your home is too tall or you feel unsafe on a ladder, it is wise to call in a gutter cleaning company to take care of it for you.
Now that you understand the importance of gutters as well as their design, installation, and maintenance, you can rest assured that you will choose the optimal gutters for your home.