How To Prevent Gutter Damage During Storms

Gutters silently protect homes during heavy storms by channeling water away from foundations and walls. However, gutters can become damaged during severe weather if they’re not properly maintained.

Regular inspections can help spot cracks, rust, and loose brackets. Gutters And More Gutters cleanings remove debris and ensure downspouts are pitching away from home structures to avoid clogs.

Inspect Your Gutters Regularly

High winds can cause damage to your gutters and the other components of your home that are attached to them. This can be due to the sheer force of the wind or debris that gets blown away during the storm. Damaged gutters are less effective at directing water away from your foundation, siding, and landscaping. This can lead to costly repair and replacement of these items in the future.

Gutter inspections are important to help prevent damage from the elements and keep your gutter system in good working condition. Regularly inspecting your gutters is the best way to identify clogs, leaks, and other issues before they become worse. A professional can help you spot problems that may be difficult to see when examining the gutters from ground level.

During your gutter inspection, you should look for loose spikes that need to be re-secured. Loose spikes can cause sagging and allow water to leak through the gutters. Leaks in the gutters can also lead to water damage to the roof and exterior of your home. If you find any signs of leaking gutters, it is important to have them repaired immediately.

You should also examine the gutter seams and joints for any signs of separation or cracking. These can be caused by a number of factors, including age and exposure to the elements. Re-caulking or re-sealing these areas can be a simple fix that helps to prevent larger leaks and protect your home from water damage in the future.

Overhanging tree branches is another common cause of clogged gutters. These branches can drop leaves, twigs, and other debris into your gutter system. It is important to have these trees trimmed regularly to reduce the amount of debris that ends up in your gutters.

Lastly, you should ensure that your gutters are pitched correctly. It is crucial to have a well-sloped gutter system to ensure that all collected rainwater flows to downspouts and away from your house. Gutter systems that are not pitched properly can lead to basement flooding and foundation damage.

While you can perform some of these home maintenance tasks yourself, it is always better to hire a professional for any repairs or maintenance that you do not feel comfortable doing yourself. A professional can provide you with a free estimate and complete the work quickly and efficiently. They can also recommend other services that will improve the function and appearance of your gutter system, such as cleaning, gutter guards, and downspout extensions.

Clean Your Gutters Regularly

Gutters play a critical role in your home, redirecting rain-melted sleet and snow away from your walls, foundation, and house structure to protect it against water damage. But like any other part of your home, gutters need routine care to function properly. Inadequate maintenance can lead to more severe problems during storms, including overflow, clogs, rotted wood, and leaks that can damage your roof, walls, and floors. The best way to prevent these problems is to clean your gutters regularly and inspect them before a storm hits.

In areas with heavy tree cover, it is a good idea to have your gutters cleaned more often than once or twice a year. Heavy rains and winds can easily blow leaves, twigs, and other debris into your gutters, creating blockages that will not allow water to flow freely.

It is also a good idea to have your gutters inspected after a severe rainstorm to ensure they are functioning correctly. If the gutters are not pitched at the right angle, or if downspouts become clogged or disconnected from the gutter, rainwater may drain onto your home’s foundation and cause water infiltration and basement flooding.

A clogged gutter is not only an eyesore, it can also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and an inviting spot for rodents looking for shelter. Additionally, a clogged gutter that is not cleaned will fill with standing water, causing mold and mildew to grow.

When cleaning your gutters, start at one end of the roof and work your way down, clearing out each section as you go. It is recommended that you use a ladder that has stabilizer arms attached to it, which will keep the ladder from tipping as you climb. It is also a good idea to have an assistant on the ground to hold the ladder and hand you tools as needed.

Once the gutters are clean, they should be re-pitched at the proper angle to ensure that all downspouts extend far enough from your house’s foundation to avoid overflow and pooling during rainstorms. It is also a good idea to trim any overhanging trees or branches that are dropping leaves, twigs, and other materials into your gutter system.

Maintain Your Downspouts

Your gutter system siphons water off your roof to protect the structural integrity of your home. However, this process can be disrupted if your downspouts are clogged or improperly pitched. If your gutters are clogged or not directing water away from your house, it could damage the base and foundation of your home, leading to basement flooding. This is why it is important to inspect and clean your gutters regularly, removing any debris that builds up.

When it comes to cleaning your gutters, the best time of year is fall because leaves are already falling, making it much easier to reach all areas of your gutter system. If you are planning to clean your gutters yourself, it is a good idea to wear sturdy gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself from any falling debris. A ladder is also essential for this task, as is a sturdy gutter scoop or brush to remove the debris.

If you notice that your downspouts are clogged, it is crucial to clean them out before heavy storms hit. You should also make sure that your downspouts are properly positioned, ensuring that the water they collect is being directed away from your property and not towards it. To check that your downspouts are working correctly, run a hose of water through your gutter system to see how the water flows. If it pools up or overflows, your downspouts are not being properly positioned and you will need to adjust them.

Another way to prevent downspout clogging is to install splash guards, which are placed in the bottom of your downspouts and help to keep water flowing through. These can be purchased at most hardware stores and are an inexpensive way to prevent downspout clogging. If you live in an area prone to heavy storms and snowfall, upgrading your gutters with metal or adding ice dam prevention measures can also be wise investments. These enhancements allow melted snow and rainwater to flow freely through the gutter system without causing undue stress on the gutters, which may otherwise cause them to sag or pull away from your home during a storm.

Install Gutter Guards

Gutter guards help prevent gutter damage during storms by keeping debris out of the gutters. They are available in a variety of styles and materials, including wire mesh, PVC, and foam. They also come in a variety of colors and designs to match the look of your home. Gutter guards are easy to install and can save homeowners from the dangerous task of climbing ladders during heavy rains to clean their gutters.

However, even with gutter guards in place, you will still need to inspect and clean your gutters regularly. Some types of debris, such as shingle grit and pine needles, may still be able to get past the guards. You will also need to remove your gutter guards periodically to clean them, as they can become clogged with debris over time.

A clogged gutter can lead to overflowing, which can cause water damage to the roof and home’s exterior. This can cause rot, mold, and mildew as well as flooding in basements, crawl spaces, and attics. Gutter guards can help prevent clogs and improve your gutter system’s performance, but it is important to choose the right type for your home.

Some types of gutter guards, such as foam inserts, can clog quickly. The cells in the foam can catch dirt, leaves, and seeds, which then cling to the surface of the gutters. This can also cause the foam to crack and degrade over time. Other types of gutter guards, such as a downspout screen, can be a better choice because they allow for the flow of water while keeping debris out.

In addition to preventing clogs, gutter guards can also improve your home’s curb appeal. They can help your home to stand out in the neighborhood and increase its value when it comes time to sell. They can also reduce the risk of ice dams in cold climate zones.

If you are thinking about installing gutter guards, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and consider hiring a professional to complete the job. It’s also a good idea to test your gutters with a hose before beginning the installation process. This will ensure that your gutters are free of clogs and that water flows freely.