Most new home owners do not think much about rain gutters. They are simply something that comes on the house to drain water. However, rain gutters are a vital part of your home’s structure whether you pay attention to them or not. They are much more than just an aesthetic add on to the roof, and need to be carefully taken care of to maintain your home and the landscaping around your home. Here are just a few things to consider when thinking about rain gutters for your home for the first time.
Importance of Rain Gutters
Gutters have one main purpose on your home: to properly drain water. If this does not happen an entire host of issues could occur. For example, a poorly designed gutter system or a system that is not working will cause water to get under roof shingles leading to roof damage. The same can happen when snow melts. If the gutter system is clogged the downspout will stop working allowing water to run down the walls of a home. This allows the water to get under siding leading to erosion, rusting, and possible flooding issues. If this is not enough to convince you of how important rain gutters are, consider the fact that faulty rain gutters can lead to foundation cracks and basement flooding.
Regular Rain Gutter Maintenance
The good news is that regular rain gutter maintenance can help prevent most problems with rain gutter systems so long as the system is reasonably new and has always been maintained. Most issues are caused by clogs, so if you make it a point to clean out your gutters at least twice a year then your gutters Ann Arbor MI should be just fine. If you live in an area with a lot of leaves or an area that receives a great amount of storms and thus storm debris then you may want to think about cleaning out your gutters more frequently during these times.
Cleaning Out Your Rain Gutters
Cleaning out your rain gutters is not a very hard task if you are not afraid of heights. Simply anchor a ladder in a safe place or enlist a friend to hold your ladder so that it remains steady. Then climb the ladder and remove the debris, leaves, dirt, and other items that may be clogging up your gutters. You should always wear heavy gloves when you do this to ensure that you are protected against anything sharp that may have fallen into your gutters. Remove everything you can see and check visually for any wear or signs that the seal or brackets may be coming undone.
Consider Rain Gutter Covers
If clogs are a frequent problem for you then it may be a wise idea to look into rain gutter covers for your gutters. These go over top of gutters and are almost like a sheer metal filter that traps larger particles and debris from getting into the gutter system. This ensures that heavier items stay out so that your gutters will work properly without cleaning them out every few months.