Your home’s gutter system is one of the most critical components of your home. Its function is to protect your property’s structural integrity by channeling rainwater or snowmelt away from the foundations. Like any other areas of your home, it is subject to routine inspections and upkeep.
Learning about the various problems that cause gutter system damage is imperative to ensure proper gutter system maintenance. In doing so, you prevent major problems that may compromise your home in the future. Mr. Fix It, your local source of gutter covers, discusses each of them in today’s post.
Leaks and Holes
These are one of the most common signs of damage you shouldn’t ignore during one of your inspections. Apart from pronounced punctures and cracks, leaks on gutter joints allow some of the water to drip or spill out of the gutters. This issue affects your exterior components like siding and windows to excessive moisture. Use a gutter sealant to patch up the leaking joints and holes.
Improper Gutter Pitch
The secret to a functioning gutter system lies on how it is correctly pitched toward the downspouts. The usual gutter slope should be about a quarter inch for every 10 feet. Otherwise, standing water may form in the gutters. Leaving this unattended may further damage the system, resulting in some of the sections pulling away from their attachments. Adjust the affected gutters accordingly or seek professional help in doing so.
Clogs
Disregarding clogs in gutters and downspouts can render the whole system useless. The weight of the standing water plus the collected debris may cause it some gutter sections to sag and pull away from the fascia. Unclog the gutters if you’re comfortable stepping up a ladder. You may also invest in a gutter protection system as an alternative to cleaning them.
Gutter Helmet® is one such product. This patented gutter protection system blocks debris, pine needles and leaves from entering the gutter system while water runoff flows through freely. For your gutter covers needs, trust Mr. Fix It to install this exceptional product on your existing gutters to ensure your home’s protection against water damage. Call us at (866) 985-9437 or fill out our contact form to learn more. We serve Ashland, Virginia residents.
