Save A Gutter, Save A House: Gutter Guard

When it comes to preserving he structural integrity of the home, gutters are vital. They carry the rain water away from those structural features it could otherwise damage. It is therefore important to examine them occasionally and verify that they are free from obstructions and that they are conveying the water properly. For consistent results with less hassle, a gutter guard is helpful.When they are not working properly, gutters will clog, which allows rainwater to pool where it shouldn't, eventually costing thousands of dollars in repairs. Clogged gutters may freeze during the cold winter months, requiring more repairs. The damage isn't limited to structure alone, either. Wall damage, paint peeling, mold, and mildew can also be caused by improper drainage. Clearly, it is in the homeowner's interest to identify and correct the problem before this happens.It is evident, then, that for the safety of the home and its occupants, gutter overflow needs to be stopped. If not, costly flood damage can happen to the basement, foundation, landscape, and even the driveway. Structural damage such as warping is possible as well, and in some climates the standing water that results may breed mosquitoes and raise possible health concerns.A gutter system, if not attended properly, may fall prey to many ills. Missing lengths of gutter should be replaced at once. Gutters observed to be leaking can be plugged with but a little effort. Caulk or putty are both an affordable and effective means of making small repairs. If possible, the company who installed the gutters should be able to effect repairs.Corrective measures will also become necessary where the gutters are pulled away from the roof. Sagging troughs can throw off the pitch, preventing the runoff from draining through the proper channels. If corrections must be made, aim for one quarter of an inch of slope for every ten foot length of gutter.One common problem for homeowners is the tendency for the downspout to collect leaves, dirt, and muck. The gutters will then overflow and dump water over the places it was designed to drain. While not evident at first, this creates problems which compound themselves if measures are not taken. Foundations crack, roof structure can rot, even driveways can crack and shift due to the erosion.The good news is that clogged gutters are much easier to fix than structural damage to the home, and even easier than that to prevent. Single story homes can be cleaned out without too much trouble. For the bigger homes, it's probably better to install guards and prevent the mess and the resulting damage all at once. The higher the gutters, the more climbing will become necessary. This increases the hazards associated with falling.This is why regular quarterly maintenance to ensure proper drainage is crucial to a healthy house. In addition to regular fix-ups, gutter guard systems can certainly help prevent the sort of damage that water will do to a home's roof and foundation structures. An ounce of prevention before the storm can save a lot of frustration, hassle and expenses in the years to come.