While you might not realize it, gutters can be one of the most critical devices in helping to protect your home. Their ability to channel water away from unprotected areas around your home can reduce the amount of moisture that makes it to places like basements, crawl spaces and foundations, and in the process save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in repairs. Understanding your guttering system and how it works can enable you to maximize its benefits.
The guttering surrounding your home or garage isn't there just as decoration or to keep you from getting drenched when running from the car to your home during a rainstorm. It is there to protect the structure itself. Its ability to funnel water away from areas where it might do damage to the structure or that aren't as well protected from water and seepage is its main purpose. However, in order to do this job effectively, it needs your help.
Keeping your gutters clean is vital in keeping them operating effectively and efficiently. Removing debris such as leaves, twigs, shingle particles, and similar objects can reduce the chances of your gutters becoming plugged. It only takes one jam in the gutter system to reduce it operating effectiveness and create a situation in which you might have seepage or flooding around or even inside your home.
To maximize peak efficiency of your guttering system, you should check it or have it checked regularly. Knowing your home, understanding seasonal aspects regarding weather and foliage growth, as well as the topographical nature of the areas surrounding your home will dictate how important checking your gutter system is, as well as how often it should be done. Depending on the height and nature of your gutters, as well as how comfortable you are with high places, should determine whether this is a job you can do yourself or if you should hire a professional.
Not only must gutters be checked for clogs due to debris, but downspouts must be inspected as well. A backed up downspout can be just as damaging to your home as a clogged gutter. While the force of water building above a clogged downspout is often enough to clear the drain, this isn't always the case. Therefore, ensure that these spaces are inspected and cleaned on a regular basis.
Repairs for your gutter system are a must when damage is discovered. Rusty spots, cracks, holes, and gutters pulling away from the structure itself can all affect the effectiveness of your gutter system to perform its role. A repair job to your gutter system can pale in comparison to the cost of damages from a flooded basement or a damaged foundation.
When your gutter system is operating at its best, it is still important to watch and see where it is directing the water around your home. Many people assume that just because their gutters are unplugged and draining water during a storm that the system is keeping water away from the home. At times though, this is not the case, and an extension to your downspout(s) will be necessary to direct water further away from your home to prevent pooling or backflow of water toward the home.