When thinking about the exterior features of your home the gutters probably don’t command much attention. What are they used for and what happens if they fail? Gutters are a very significant component of your home and serve to protect it from the elements. If they are missing, damaged or the wrong type you risk significant damage to your home.
Gutters are surprisingly useful for preventing damage to your home. They serve many purposes including: the prevention of basement flooding, foundation settling and cracking, soil erosion, dry-rot of fascia boards, soffit and roof, paint damage, window, door and siding damage, mold damage, and fire damage in dry, high wind, fire-prone areas. I’d be willing to bet that the average person was unaware just how important gutters are! Now that we have outlined the purpose they serve, how do we prevent them from becoming damaged? The average life span for aluminum gutters is approximately 20-30 years. This number will vary greatly depending on how well the gutters are maintained and cared for.
A number of things can damage your gutters. They can be damaged by leaning ladders against them to clean them ot to access the roof, the seams splitting apart (unless they are seamless), ice formation in the winter, pest infestations, stains caused by constant overflowing or rusting spikes, and storm or tree damage. Some of these can be prevented, such as the constant overflowing. Not only does this cause damage to the gutters themselves, but it also damages the roof by accelerating the wear and causing water to back up under the shingles. As you can see a gutter problem can become a myriad of other problems.
There are several types of gutters and accessories. It is recommended to call a professional in Gutters Minneapolis MN to help you make a decision on which gutters to install. Gutter professionals install new gutters on newly constructed homes as well as replacing gutters on existing homes. They can also help you with maintenance.
The most common type of gutter used today is the open gutter. It comes in a variety of sizes and materials. The main choice to be made is whether or not to use seamless. Seamless must be installed by a professional but requires less maintenance and is easier to clean. Seamless gutters do not catch debris as easily and are more difficult to damage.
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