Regardless of how well you maintain your home's rain gutters and downspouts, problems will always arise at times. The good news is that most all gutter issues can be easily fixed and don't require professional skills. Here is a look at the 5 most common gutter and downspout problems along with tips to fix them.
1. Leaky Rain Gutters
This is perhaps the most common guttering problem that homeowners face each year. What happens is that rain water sits in the gutter channel and seeps through a joint between two sections.
If you do find the cause to be from sagging guttering or standing water you can adjust your gutter and add a couple of extra gutter hangers to fix the problem.
To repair the leak you will need to dry out the two sections and clean the area with a brush or towel.
Next, get a good tube of silicone caulk and caulk the seams on both the inside and outside of the gutter.
If the cause of the leaking is from a hole in your gutter, then you can use a simple patch to repair it.
First, apply some roofing cement to the area where the hole is located. Next, take a sheet metal patch and place over the hole. Then, put roofing cement over the top of the patch.
2. Sagging Gutters
Over the course of time it is easy for some gutters to begin to sag. Check for sagging by inspecting for standing rain water or water marks inside the channel.
If you notice a problem you will need to take a 3-foot level and check your slope angle. Generally, you should have a 1/4 inch slope for every 10 feet of guttering.
If you need to make adjustments you can simply add or adjust your gutter hangers.
3. Loose Downspouts
Another common maintenance issue is with downspouts that break loose or get disconnected from the gutter itself.
This is an easy fix that takes very little time. You need a drill and a couple of sheet metal screws. Push the downspout back together and drill a couple of small holes in the two pieces. Next, screw the sheet metal screws through the pieces.
One important point to remember though; don't use long screws or they will cause debris inside the downspout to clog it up over time.
4. Overflowing Rain Gutters
This problem is caused by a clogged gutter or downspout in most all cases. To fix the problem, you simply need to clean out the area where the clogging is occurring.
In some cases this could be caused by having too small of gutters to handle the rain water. In this case you would need to install rain gutters that are larger.
5. Pooling Water Near Downspouts
To prevent water from pooling around your home and downspout, be sure to make it runoff well into your yard or driveway.
You can use a downspout extension or other flexible tubing to get the job accomplished.
These simple tips should help fix any problems that arise with your rain gutters over the years.
The Roofing section of Metalroofing provides information about applying shingles, fixing leaky roofs, waterproofing roofs, inspecting roofs for damage, roofing replacement projects, roofing tools, roofing materials, and making sure your roof frame is sturdy
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Showing posts with label Roof Gutter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roof Gutter. Show all posts
Roof Gutter Protection: The How and Why
Finding the right roof gutter protection for your home can seem like a very daunting task. Using this guide will help make the process a little less taxing.
You might be wondering why you would even put roof gutter protection on your home. There are many reasons to install gutter protection. The most common are ease of maintenance, increased home value, and increased home aesthetics.
Protecting your gutters is extremely time consuming and often dangerous. You have to spend hours and hours dangerously perched on a ladder removing debris from your gutters. Installing the right roof gutter protection means never having to remove debris from your gutters again. You’ll never have to worry about getting dirty or hurting yourself while cleaning your gutters again.
Prospective home buyers will pay more for a house they know was well taken care of. By installing roof gutter protection, you show that you took great care of your house, thus increasing the value of your home.
Roof Gutter Protection
Roof gutter protection will also make your home look nicer. Most gutter protection comes in a large variety of colors and styles to help make any home look great. It shouldn’t be a problem finding the right roof gutter protection for you home, no matter what your home looks like.
During heavy rainstorms, water can leak over and through clogged gutters into your home. Installing roof gutter protection will help prevent this, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.
Finding the right roof gutter protection is actually very simple. The first step is to know what you want. The easiest way to do that is to do some research online.
Next, you’ll want to do some more research online and find the best price for roof gutter protection systems. Many retailers will also be able to install the gutter protection for you.
There are many good reasons to install roof gutter protection on your home. There aren’t many good reasons not to.
You might be wondering why you would even put roof gutter protection on your home. There are many reasons to install gutter protection. The most common are ease of maintenance, increased home value, and increased home aesthetics.
Protecting your gutters is extremely time consuming and often dangerous. You have to spend hours and hours dangerously perched on a ladder removing debris from your gutters. Installing the right roof gutter protection means never having to remove debris from your gutters again. You’ll never have to worry about getting dirty or hurting yourself while cleaning your gutters again.
Prospective home buyers will pay more for a house they know was well taken care of. By installing roof gutter protection, you show that you took great care of your house, thus increasing the value of your home.
Roof Gutter Protection
Roof gutter protection will also make your home look nicer. Most gutter protection comes in a large variety of colors and styles to help make any home look great. It shouldn’t be a problem finding the right roof gutter protection for you home, no matter what your home looks like.
During heavy rainstorms, water can leak over and through clogged gutters into your home. Installing roof gutter protection will help prevent this, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.
Finding the right roof gutter protection is actually very simple. The first step is to know what you want. The easiest way to do that is to do some research online.
Next, you’ll want to do some more research online and find the best price for roof gutter protection systems. Many retailers will also be able to install the gutter protection for you.
There are many good reasons to install roof gutter protection on your home. There aren’t many good reasons not to.
Facts on Copper Rain Gutters
Perhaps you have seen shiny copper rain gutters newly installed on a home and thought to yourself how nice they would look on your own home. To start with, copper rain gutters tarnish to green not long after they have been installed, so you can erase the picture you have in your head of bright shiny golden copper rain gutters on your home.
However; they are the latest trend in rain gutters and on the right home or building they do look fantastic. Still one more benefit of copper rain gutters is that they last pretty much the life of the building as long as they are properly installed and maintained.
This means that you will want to have them installed by an expert that will make sure that they are sloped correctly, so that water and debris doesn't pool in them. If you havent yet priced them yet then prepare yourself for sticker shock, because copper is pricey, so they are quite a bit more expensive by the foot and also their design can effect their price as well.
They are also substantially more expensive to have installed, due to the fact that they have to be soldered at all joints while standard rain gutters can be glued. Also the labor costs are higher, due to the fact that they require a more skilled crew to install and they are a more expensive product to handle, meaning a higher risk for losses on the job from damage for the contractor.
One option is to have copper rain gutters installed along the front of your building and have standard rain gutters installed in the back where they don't show as much which can save you some money. Also, if you are going to go with copper rain gutters you will want to have a longer lasting roof installed such as tile so there is less risk of damage to them from the roof having to be redone or repaired in the future.
However; they are the latest trend in rain gutters and on the right home or building they do look fantastic. Still one more benefit of copper rain gutters is that they last pretty much the life of the building as long as they are properly installed and maintained.
This means that you will want to have them installed by an expert that will make sure that they are sloped correctly, so that water and debris doesn't pool in them. If you havent yet priced them yet then prepare yourself for sticker shock, because copper is pricey, so they are quite a bit more expensive by the foot and also their design can effect their price as well.
They are also substantially more expensive to have installed, due to the fact that they have to be soldered at all joints while standard rain gutters can be glued. Also the labor costs are higher, due to the fact that they require a more skilled crew to install and they are a more expensive product to handle, meaning a higher risk for losses on the job from damage for the contractor.
One option is to have copper rain gutters installed along the front of your building and have standard rain gutters installed in the back where they don't show as much which can save you some money. Also, if you are going to go with copper rain gutters you will want to have a longer lasting roof installed such as tile so there is less risk of damage to them from the roof having to be redone or repaired in the future.
Gutter Maintenance Tips
Homeowners do not often realize the importance of gutters. They often miss that gutters are very important to protecting their home. This is a huge mistake because homeowners who do not understand the importance of gutters often do not even realize how important it is to maintain them.
Gutters that are not maintained can cause a range of problems and issues for a homeowner. This can often lead to costly repairs. Simply gutter maintenance is key to help ward off needless problems.
The Basics of Gutters
On most homes you will find the simple gutter set up. Gutters are metal tubes that are open on one end. They catch the rain running off the roof and help guide it down the length of the gutter system to a proper drainage spot on the ground.
Basically what gutters do is prevent rain from running down your home and keep it from gathering at the base of your home. They prevent problems in foundation and also help maintain the life of your roof and your homes exterior.
Typical Gutter Maintenance
Gutters have some occasionally problems, but with good maintenance you should not run into something you can not handle. Here are some common gutter issues you should understand how to handle:
Gutters filled with leaves and other debris: This happens since leaves and other debris can easily make into the gutter along with the rainwater. To cure this problem you will simply clean out the gutters. You can do this by hand, just pull out the debris. This is important because gutters that are filled with debris can not properly catch and guide the water. It is also important to note that even if you use gutter guards you will still need to clean out your gutters and check them every spring to ensure they are not clogged anywhere.
Gutters pulled away form house: Heavy wind, large amounts of precipitation and other factors can lead to the gutters coming loose. You should simply screw them back into place.
Holes in Gutters: After some time you will find your gutters wear out and holes develop. Most of the time you can simply replace pieces of the gutters if the rest of the gutter is in fine shape.
Routine Maintenance
Here are some things you should do throughout the year to help ensure your gutters are in good shape:
Spring: Clean gutters and check for any damage that may have occurred during the winter. Make any repairs.
Summer: You should check the gutters regularly for clogging, especially if you see they are working properly.
Fall: You will likely have to clean out your gutters often as the leaves are falling.
Winter: Make sure too much snow does not pile up in the gutters which can cause damage. Also make sure to clear out the last of the fall leaves.
Gutters that are not maintained can cause a range of problems and issues for a homeowner. This can often lead to costly repairs. Simply gutter maintenance is key to help ward off needless problems.
The Basics of Gutters
On most homes you will find the simple gutter set up. Gutters are metal tubes that are open on one end. They catch the rain running off the roof and help guide it down the length of the gutter system to a proper drainage spot on the ground.
Basically what gutters do is prevent rain from running down your home and keep it from gathering at the base of your home. They prevent problems in foundation and also help maintain the life of your roof and your homes exterior.
Typical Gutter Maintenance
Gutters have some occasionally problems, but with good maintenance you should not run into something you can not handle. Here are some common gutter issues you should understand how to handle:
Gutters filled with leaves and other debris: This happens since leaves and other debris can easily make into the gutter along with the rainwater. To cure this problem you will simply clean out the gutters. You can do this by hand, just pull out the debris. This is important because gutters that are filled with debris can not properly catch and guide the water. It is also important to note that even if you use gutter guards you will still need to clean out your gutters and check them every spring to ensure they are not clogged anywhere.
Gutters pulled away form house: Heavy wind, large amounts of precipitation and other factors can lead to the gutters coming loose. You should simply screw them back into place.
Holes in Gutters: After some time you will find your gutters wear out and holes develop. Most of the time you can simply replace pieces of the gutters if the rest of the gutter is in fine shape.
Routine Maintenance
Here are some things you should do throughout the year to help ensure your gutters are in good shape:
Spring: Clean gutters and check for any damage that may have occurred during the winter. Make any repairs.
Summer: You should check the gutters regularly for clogging, especially if you see they are working properly.
Fall: You will likely have to clean out your gutters often as the leaves are falling.
Winter: Make sure too much snow does not pile up in the gutters which can cause damage. Also make sure to clear out the last of the fall leaves.
Don't Let Your Property Maintenance Regime Go Down The Drain - Look After Your Guttering!
Now that you've spent all that money on the home of your dreams, it is imperative to protect that investment with a solid property maintenance regime. Any Builder can build you an extension or lay you a driveway, but they wont all tell you the ins and outs of keeping your perfect home, perfect for longer. Many often overlooked little jobs, while perhaps menial on their own, can soon mount up and lead to much larger problems. This is particularly true of your guttering and drainpipes.
Gutters and Drains are your Properties defense network against the weathering effects of water, rain and general weathering. Left to take the brunt of all the hard rain and freezing cold, our brickwork and groundwork would soon become a crumbling ruin in need of expensive repair. Instead of letting this become an issue, keeping our drainage systems clear will make sure that none of our lovely home becomes exposed too much to the elements.
No matter how new our guttering may be, even if it was only installed during the summer, come autumn time it is essential to get them cleaned, making sure there is no chance of any blockages building up with the falling of the leaves. Get out your ladder and get your hands dirty, or hire a professional. This job is simple in comparison to dealing with the damp problems that may arise from neglecting this task instead. As a property maintenance expert with some 35 years of experience in the field, I can safely say that the larger proportion of all the damp cases I have come across can be attributed in some way or another to poor drainage, often caused by poorly maintained guttering.
Just because you may be afraid of heights or you do not like getting your hands dirty, please do not neglect your guttering. You can hire a professional to clean you gutters for around £60 ($120) for an average 3 bed roomed, two story detached house, which is hardly more than your annual window cleaner bill!
Gutters and Drains are your Properties defense network against the weathering effects of water, rain and general weathering. Left to take the brunt of all the hard rain and freezing cold, our brickwork and groundwork would soon become a crumbling ruin in need of expensive repair. Instead of letting this become an issue, keeping our drainage systems clear will make sure that none of our lovely home becomes exposed too much to the elements.
No matter how new our guttering may be, even if it was only installed during the summer, come autumn time it is essential to get them cleaned, making sure there is no chance of any blockages building up with the falling of the leaves. Get out your ladder and get your hands dirty, or hire a professional. This job is simple in comparison to dealing with the damp problems that may arise from neglecting this task instead. As a property maintenance expert with some 35 years of experience in the field, I can safely say that the larger proportion of all the damp cases I have come across can be attributed in some way or another to poor drainage, often caused by poorly maintained guttering.
Just because you may be afraid of heights or you do not like getting your hands dirty, please do not neglect your guttering. You can hire a professional to clean you gutters for around £60 ($120) for an average 3 bed roomed, two story detached house, which is hardly more than your annual window cleaner bill!
A Buyer's Guide to Gutter Leaf Guards
Rain gutters can't do their job if they aren't kept clean. Leaves, pine needles, seeds and other debris can clog your gutter system. Rotten wood, leaky basements, frozen walkways and annoying drips are just a few of the problems you could face when your gutters get clogged.
But cleaning your gutters is a thankless, messy job. You need to be fearless of heights, have a good ladder, hand tools to scoop out leaves, and a garden hose to flush your gutters. You may also need a plumber's snake to clear clogs in your downspouts.
At the very least, you should clean your gutters at least twice a year, once in the Fall and once in Spring. This is general guideline, though. If you live in a wet climate or have tall trees next to your house, you will need to clean more often.
Installing gutter guards is a better option. They provide a peace of mind and keep you and your loved ones from risking life and limb when climbing ladders.
Gutter guards - also known as gutter screens or leaf guards - keep leaves, pine needles, seeds, buds and other debris out of your gutters, while letting water flow in.
Gutter guards come in many different styles including screens, surface tension systems, foam gutter guards and hybrid systems.
As the name implies, gutter screens use a metal or vinyl mesh to keep leaves and large debris from entering your gutter. Screen systems are often the least expensive and easiest to install of all the gutter guards, but - depending on their mesh size - may still allow some seeds and buds to get into your gutter.
Surface tension systems look like covers or caps for your gutters. These systems typically include a slot or trough along the edge of the cover. As water flows over the cover, surface tension makes it follow the curve of the gutter guard and flow into the slot, a path that the debris cannot follow.
Foam gutter guards work on a different principle, filling your gutters with a water-permeable foam insert. Foam guards ward off small seeds and buds that might slip through other types of gutter guards. But make sure the foam is treated to resist mold and repel insects. It should also be treated with a fire retardant.
Hybrid systems combine aspects of screen and surface tension systems, often featuring a finer mesh than more screen systems. Hybrid systems work well, but can be more expensive than other systems.
In addition to the gutter guards, it's also a good idea to put guards, or leaf strainers over the openings to your downspouts. Wire strainers, as they are generally known, keep the leaves from clogging your downspouts and/or underground drainage.
Which system is right for you?
The answer depends on your specific situation. Are you comfortable on ladders? Do you have the necessary time? Can you find someone that you can rely on (and who has insurance) to keep your gutters clean?
Surface tension systems are usually more expensive than gutter screens, and hybrid systems can be the most expensive. But prices will vary and you may be able to get a good deal on a more advanced system.
Consider the types of trees around your house. Pine trees pose a bigger problem than deciduous trees, since their needles are smaller than leaves.
Also note that not all gutter guards are compatible with all types of roofs and gutters. See this chart (http://www.guttersupply.com/file_area/public/File/leafguardcompchart.jpg) to tell which brands will work for your roof.
Finally, keep in mind that gutter guards are not foolproof. Some systems, especially the less expensive ones, may still allow small debris to get into your gutters. This may not be enough to clog your gutters, but could lead to a build-up over time.
But cleaning your gutters is a thankless, messy job. You need to be fearless of heights, have a good ladder, hand tools to scoop out leaves, and a garden hose to flush your gutters. You may also need a plumber's snake to clear clogs in your downspouts.
At the very least, you should clean your gutters at least twice a year, once in the Fall and once in Spring. This is general guideline, though. If you live in a wet climate or have tall trees next to your house, you will need to clean more often.
Installing gutter guards is a better option. They provide a peace of mind and keep you and your loved ones from risking life and limb when climbing ladders.
Gutter guards - also known as gutter screens or leaf guards - keep leaves, pine needles, seeds, buds and other debris out of your gutters, while letting water flow in.
Gutter guards come in many different styles including screens, surface tension systems, foam gutter guards and hybrid systems.
As the name implies, gutter screens use a metal or vinyl mesh to keep leaves and large debris from entering your gutter. Screen systems are often the least expensive and easiest to install of all the gutter guards, but - depending on their mesh size - may still allow some seeds and buds to get into your gutter.
Surface tension systems look like covers or caps for your gutters. These systems typically include a slot or trough along the edge of the cover. As water flows over the cover, surface tension makes it follow the curve of the gutter guard and flow into the slot, a path that the debris cannot follow.
Foam gutter guards work on a different principle, filling your gutters with a water-permeable foam insert. Foam guards ward off small seeds and buds that might slip through other types of gutter guards. But make sure the foam is treated to resist mold and repel insects. It should also be treated with a fire retardant.
Hybrid systems combine aspects of screen and surface tension systems, often featuring a finer mesh than more screen systems. Hybrid systems work well, but can be more expensive than other systems.
In addition to the gutter guards, it's also a good idea to put guards, or leaf strainers over the openings to your downspouts. Wire strainers, as they are generally known, keep the leaves from clogging your downspouts and/or underground drainage.
Which system is right for you?
The answer depends on your specific situation. Are you comfortable on ladders? Do you have the necessary time? Can you find someone that you can rely on (and who has insurance) to keep your gutters clean?
Surface tension systems are usually more expensive than gutter screens, and hybrid systems can be the most expensive. But prices will vary and you may be able to get a good deal on a more advanced system.
Consider the types of trees around your house. Pine trees pose a bigger problem than deciduous trees, since their needles are smaller than leaves.
Also note that not all gutter guards are compatible with all types of roofs and gutters. See this chart (http://www.guttersupply.com/file_area/public/File/leafguardcompchart.jpg) to tell which brands will work for your roof.
Finally, keep in mind that gutter guards are not foolproof. Some systems, especially the less expensive ones, may still allow small debris to get into your gutters. This may not be enough to clog your gutters, but could lead to a build-up over time.
Why Should Homeowners Insist On Having Roof Gutter Protection?
In the event that you did not know there are many reasons why everyone should have a gutter protection system on their house and I want to share them with you here. One of the obvious reasons gutters are important to have is they increase you home's value while also making it easier to maintain thus improving the over all look of your house to a great extent.
Although it can be done safely, cleaning your gutters is still a risky, tedious, and time consuming job. For example, to safely and properly clean the debris resting in your gutters you have to remain balanced on the ladder in a dangerous position. This is also very tiring and taxing on your back. But if you protect your gutters on your house you will not have to remove the debris from them because there won't be any. Once you install such a system you will no longer have to worry about falling down from the ladder and getting severely injured while cleaning your gutters.
Installing a gutter guard will increase your home's value if you ever decide to sell it. Potential buyers will know that your installed roof gutters indicates that you have taken great care of your house. With the investment you make in gutter protection you show that you care for your property and thus it is in good shape and the distribution of water from the roof is occurring properly. Another reason for getting a gutter guard installed on your home is that it adds to the beauty of your home. Usually these systems comes in a wide range of styles to choose from. Thus you may select the gutter system or gutter guard that works best with your house. However, regardless of the shape, construction, or roof of your house you should absolutely invest in some type of system.
Finally, and possibly the most important reason why you should always have gutter protection on your house is that when heavy rains occur the rain water can enter your house if a gutter channel route is not on your house. This may also happen because unprotected and exposed gutters might be heavily clogged allowing water to back up, overflow the channel, and run down the side of your house. But when you install a gutter system it prevents this from happening along with saving you a lot of money in costly repairs.
I hope this helped and happy gutter cleaning to you!
Although it can be done safely, cleaning your gutters is still a risky, tedious, and time consuming job. For example, to safely and properly clean the debris resting in your gutters you have to remain balanced on the ladder in a dangerous position. This is also very tiring and taxing on your back. But if you protect your gutters on your house you will not have to remove the debris from them because there won't be any. Once you install such a system you will no longer have to worry about falling down from the ladder and getting severely injured while cleaning your gutters.
Installing a gutter guard will increase your home's value if you ever decide to sell it. Potential buyers will know that your installed roof gutters indicates that you have taken great care of your house. With the investment you make in gutter protection you show that you care for your property and thus it is in good shape and the distribution of water from the roof is occurring properly. Another reason for getting a gutter guard installed on your home is that it adds to the beauty of your home. Usually these systems comes in a wide range of styles to choose from. Thus you may select the gutter system or gutter guard that works best with your house. However, regardless of the shape, construction, or roof of your house you should absolutely invest in some type of system.
Finally, and possibly the most important reason why you should always have gutter protection on your house is that when heavy rains occur the rain water can enter your house if a gutter channel route is not on your house. This may also happen because unprotected and exposed gutters might be heavily clogged allowing water to back up, overflow the channel, and run down the side of your house. But when you install a gutter system it prevents this from happening along with saving you a lot of money in costly repairs.
I hope this helped and happy gutter cleaning to you!
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