Gutters are a very important element of home construction and maintenance. They not only protect your roof and foundation from water damage, but they also add a crisp, clean edge to your home's exterior. But the truth is that gutter installation is far more complex than simply hanging half-tubes of aluminum from your roof's fascia boards and sending water down a drain.
The first step is to decide what type of gutters are best for your home. Your local residential roofing contractor can help you choose the best style for your home and budget, so that you get the most value from your investment.
There are several different types of gutters available on the market, including aluminum, copper, and vinyl. Each option offers a wide variety of benefits for homeowners and their properties, so it's important to know your options before deciding which system is best for you.
If you don't maintain your gutters regularly, they can become clogged with leaves and other debris that impedes drainage. Not only can this lead to a buildup of moisture, but it can also cause your foundation to crack and break down over time. Keeping them clean can be tiresome, but it's actually pretty simple by hiring a professional gutter cleaning service such as Gutter Cleaning Greenville SC to be safer for you and your home.
Your gutters are the primary way that rain and other stormwater is diverted away from your house's foundation, so it's vital to ensure that they're cleaned properly. This will prevent clogged gutters from causing issues with your foundation and other areas of your house, and can even save you money on water damage repair bills in the future.
Depending on your property, it's often best to clean gutters on a quarterly basis, particularly if there are large trees nearby. This will help you keep your gutters free of leaves and other organic matter, which can lead to mold and other problems in the future.
A gutter scoop or a hard plastic spatula is ideal for removing the majority of the debris from your gutters. You can find these commercially at hardware stores, or you can make your own using a plastic quart milk bottle and cutting off the bottom at an angle.
You'll also want to take a look at your downspouts and make sure they're connected to the gutters correctly. If they're not, the water that comes down from your roof may leak over or into your yard. This can lead to erosion, muddy soil, and other landscape problems, which will ultimately degrade your outdoor living space.
Investing in gutters can make a major impact on your outdoor space, especially if you live in an area where rain falls often and quickly. A gutter system helps to distribute rainfall evenly around your landscape, lessening the chance of soil erosion and helping your grass grow strong.
A well-installed gutter can also prevent mosquitoes, flies, and other pests from laying eggs in your gutter. These insects love roosting where there's standing water, so it's important to keep your gutters clean and clear. This will reduce the chances of bugs laying their eggs in your gutters and spreading diseases to your family and pets.
