Common gutter problems
If your gutters are damaged, sagging, missing parts or improperly installed, it is unfortunate but likely exterior damage to your home is sure to follow. A gutter that is missing, or that drains too close to the house will saturate the ground. This wet saturated ground can produce a variety of problems:
A wet saturated ground near your home can be easily and affordably prevented with a quality gutter system but left unchecked can:
Creates a breeding ground for Mold and Mildew.
It will eat away at foundations and basement walls.
Leaks and cracks will develop and will worsen quickly in the winter months when the ground freezes and expands.
Driveways and walkways will sink and rise, interior and exterior walls and floors can warp, bow or become wet, molded or stained. Unfortunately, entire homes have been destroyed due to water damage.
If water overflows:
Over the back of a clogged gutter, damage to exterior and interior (via the cavity) walls can occur and damp can result. The gutter should be checked for debris and blockages and the fascia brackets also checked as they may have been damaged, causing the gutter to sag.
Over the front of a clogged gutter, this can be very annoying, both to walk under and because of the noise it can create. If this is happening you should be considering Gutter Guards. Protection for your gutters will keep leaves, pine needle, acorns and other debris out, and maintain the clear flow of water to the downspout.
If joints are leaking, the rubber seals inside the joint will probably need replacing, or sometimes the joint itself should be renewed. You will find this job a lot easier if attempted in hot weather, as the plastic is much more pliable.
Keeping your gutters clean Cleaning your gutters is probably not on the Top Ten Most Fun Things To Do List, but is necessary in maintaining your home. Best case scenario, this task can be done twice a year, in Spring and Fall. When it comes to cleaning your gutters, you have two choices: take it on yourself or have it done professionally.
Why? When you look at your house, you may not realize how important your rain gutters are. Yes, obviously they direct rain away from your house. But did you stop to think about why that is important? Water and moisture, if allowed to collect around your house can do some very costly damage. Mold, mildew, leaking and damage to your foundation are all things that can occur if your gutters arent working properly. Cleaning your gutters on a regular basis can alleviate these potentially costly home repairs. Wind, rain, snow and foliage can all play a part in clogging your gutters. When gutters are clogged, they can overflow, causing the problems mentioned above.
How? While there are companies that do clean gutters, you can do this yourself. The way you can do this is to insert your hose into the downspout of the gutter. You may need to stuff rags in the opening so that the water will be forced upward. The waters force will unclog the elbows and gutter of the debris that was collecting. This sounds simple but definitely can be messy and somewhat of a headache. You can alleviate your headache and maintain your sanity by hiring a professional to do it.
Strainers and Guards-Are they worth it? If youve done any research on rain gutters, youve probably noticed that there are some gutter-cleaning accessories available in stores and online. Strainers and gutter guards were designed to keep your gutters clean and free of debris. They sound like a great idea; something to keep your gutters clean so that when you go to clean your gutters out, there is potentially less work involved. Where that may be true, strainers and guards, which are usually wire or mesh, can also keep water out of your gutters, which can effect the drainage of your system. Strainers and guards do work under certain situations however seek a professional's opinion to see if they are right for your architecture.
Contact Wrightway Construction Services LLC in the Atlanta metro area for gutter,strainer and guard installations and consultation
If your gutters are damaged, sagging, missing parts or improperly installed, it is unfortunate but likely exterior damage to your home is sure to follow. A gutter that is missing, or that drains too close to the house will saturate the ground. This wet saturated ground can produce a variety of problems:
A wet saturated ground near your home can be easily and affordably prevented with a quality gutter system but left unchecked can:
Creates a breeding ground for Mold and Mildew.
It will eat away at foundations and basement walls.
Leaks and cracks will develop and will worsen quickly in the winter months when the ground freezes and expands.
Driveways and walkways will sink and rise, interior and exterior walls and floors can warp, bow or become wet, molded or stained. Unfortunately, entire homes have been destroyed due to water damage.
If water overflows:
Over the back of a clogged gutter, damage to exterior and interior (via the cavity) walls can occur and damp can result. The gutter should be checked for debris and blockages and the fascia brackets also checked as they may have been damaged, causing the gutter to sag.
Over the front of a clogged gutter, this can be very annoying, both to walk under and because of the noise it can create. If this is happening you should be considering Gutter Guards. Protection for your gutters will keep leaves, pine needle, acorns and other debris out, and maintain the clear flow of water to the downspout.
If joints are leaking, the rubber seals inside the joint will probably need replacing, or sometimes the joint itself should be renewed. You will find this job a lot easier if attempted in hot weather, as the plastic is much more pliable.
Keeping your gutters clean Cleaning your gutters is probably not on the Top Ten Most Fun Things To Do List, but is necessary in maintaining your home. Best case scenario, this task can be done twice a year, in Spring and Fall. When it comes to cleaning your gutters, you have two choices: take it on yourself or have it done professionally.
Why? When you look at your house, you may not realize how important your rain gutters are. Yes, obviously they direct rain away from your house. But did you stop to think about why that is important? Water and moisture, if allowed to collect around your house can do some very costly damage. Mold, mildew, leaking and damage to your foundation are all things that can occur if your gutters arent working properly. Cleaning your gutters on a regular basis can alleviate these potentially costly home repairs. Wind, rain, snow and foliage can all play a part in clogging your gutters. When gutters are clogged, they can overflow, causing the problems mentioned above.
How? While there are companies that do clean gutters, you can do this yourself. The way you can do this is to insert your hose into the downspout of the gutter. You may need to stuff rags in the opening so that the water will be forced upward. The waters force will unclog the elbows and gutter of the debris that was collecting. This sounds simple but definitely can be messy and somewhat of a headache. You can alleviate your headache and maintain your sanity by hiring a professional to do it.
Strainers and Guards-Are they worth it? If youve done any research on rain gutters, youve probably noticed that there are some gutter-cleaning accessories available in stores and online. Strainers and gutter guards were designed to keep your gutters clean and free of debris. They sound like a great idea; something to keep your gutters clean so that when you go to clean your gutters out, there is potentially less work involved. Where that may be true, strainers and guards, which are usually wire or mesh, can also keep water out of your gutters, which can effect the drainage of your system. Strainers and guards do work under certain situations however seek a professional's opinion to see if they are right for your architecture.
Contact Wrightway Construction Services LLC in the Atlanta metro area for gutter,strainer and guard installations and consultation
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