Roofing and siding play an important part in a building’s overall structure. One of the main problems that most homeowners face is damage to their home’s roofing and siding caused by water. In order to prevent this damage, proper maintenance of gutters is vital; this is an area where you need expert tips and advice from Moorestown Township roofing and siding contractors.
When it comes to gutters, one of the most common problems is clogged gutters. This can lead to a wet basement and can also ruin the paint on your siding. In addition, overflow can also go upward, causing the roof to rot and leading to major problems. To prevent these issues from happening, here is a list of some of the most common gutter problems and their solutions, recommended by the professional roofing and siding contractors of Moorestown Township.
Clogged Gutters
As mentioned earlier, this is perhaps the most common problem related to gutters in every household. When you leave the downspouts and gutters unattended for a long time, they get clogged with debris and will fail to serve their original purpose. The additional weight from all the small branches, leaves, and stagnant water can damage their integrity and eventually cause them to fall off.
To avoid this, Moorestown Township roofing and siding contractors recommend cleaning your gutters at least once a year. If you have a lot of trees around your home, you should perform gutter cleaning twice a year. If you can manage getting up on a ladder, you can perform this task on your own. Clear away all the leaves and other substances, and when finished, use your garden hose to flush it to make sure it works properly. If you want to avoid having a clogged gutter problem, you can install gutter covers like porous foam sheets, mesh screens, etc., to cover the gutters.
Leaky Gutters
If you have a leaky gutter, Moorestown Township roofing and siding contractors advise the use of gutter sealant to seal the leak from the inside. You will also be able to find gutter sealant sprays on the market, which are known to seal leaks instantly. Gutter sealant can also be used to seal holes, provided they are small. If you find larger holes, use gutter patching tape to seal them.
Sagging Gutters
Sagging gutters are usually caused by gutter hangers, a tool that attaches the gutter to the chipboard or fascia. This fitting usually gets languished over time, leading to sagging gutters. Gutters can also sag when the hangers are installed with too much space, making them unable to support the overall weight of the gutters. You will be able to get gutter hangers at your local hardware store and they usually cost less than $10, making the amount you spend towards fixing your sagging gutters very affordable.
Dumping Downspouts
Moorestown Township roofing and siding contractors indicate that in order to prevent the downspout from dumping water straight into your basement, it needs to be extended at least five feet from your house. Installing downspout extensions can do this job perfectly, discharging water away from your foundation. Once again, downspout extensions cost less than $10 and are easy to install as well.
If your house does not have working gutters in place, it is wise to invest in them as soon as possible. Gutters are available in different materials, such as plastic, galvanized steel, copper, aluminum, and more. The cost of your gutter will depend on the material you choose. The roofing and siding experts of Moorestown Township recommend using aluminum for your gutters. Aluminum gutters are lightweight and can last for several years if they are not damaged and are maintained properly.
Gutters serve an important purpose – to funnel water beyond the foundation of your house. They are essential in protecting the entire structure of your house. Therefore, in order to make sure that they serve their purpose properly, they should be maintained the right way by following the above tips and advice from Moorestown Township roofing and siding contractors. Since these solutions do not demand a lot of time, effort, or money, you can perform everything on your own. And always remember to inspect and maintain your gutters on a regular basis to prevent major problems in the future.