Most people don’t think about gutters until they have to clean them or if they break. Sometimes, they think they’re unnecessary until there’s rain, and they realize how important a seamless gutter can be for a home. That’s why you should know these three common questions about gutters and understand how caring for and maintaining them is better for your property in the long run.
The main purpose of a gutter is to redirect water to the appropriate places, so your house won’t suffer damage from too much rain in areas that don’t drain at all. For that, you’ll need a gutter guard for box gutters if that’s the kind of setup you already have. You might require gutter guards for half round gutters, but they should work exactly the same. No matter what kind of system you have, they all serve the same function.
However, you should try to pick the most reliable options when you’re a new house owner. You can ask your contractor for gutter samples and learn more about each model to make a final decision. It’s also a good idea to know how are gutters made. Let’s find out more about the three questions you should ask before buying your new gutters.
Maybe you haven’t thought about your gutters all summer, but now that fall is here, it’s time to give those underappreciated gutters a little love. Whether we’re talking about gutter systems for a home or a business, it’s important to have clean gutters for maximum water management. Here are three common questions you may have concerning your home or office building gutters.
When is it Time to Replace My Gutters?
The rain gutters that we all know and appreciate today were invented in the early 20th century. However, if you haven’t had any gutter installation since the early 20th century, it’s definitely time for gutter replacement. The good news is that you can cut down on how often gutter systems for a home need to be replaced with regular cleaning. Gutter cleanings should happen at least twice a year, whether you take on the job yourself or you call one of the gutter cleaning services in your area. Clogged gutters are the main culprit behind basement water problems so if you’re worried about excess water, it’s time to get those gutters checked!
What is the Best Gutter to Use?
When you’re choosing which gutters to have installed, you can either choose a half round style gutter or K-style gutters. On average, K-style gutters have twice the capacity of their half-round counterparts of the same width which can come in handy during heavy rains. A standard roof will collect over 600 gallons of water during a small one-inch rainfall. 1/8″ of rain is can fill a 54-gallon rain barrel. In those situations, capacity matters, so choose the best gutter based on your area’s rainfall. And when it comes to materials, choose something durable that also complements the look of your home with minimal gutter maintenance. Copper gutter systems for a home don’t rust or require paint; copper gutters should last up to 100 years in any climate.
How Do I Know if My Gutters Are Enough?
Your gutter system’s most important job, whether for your home or for your office, is to direct the flow of water away from the building’s foundation to prevent flooding. Properly installed gutter downspout extensions should be directed at least 1.8 meters away from your home or office’s foundation walls. Be a kind neighbor and make sure the water doesn’t flow towards your neighbor’s home! Downspout extensions should be directed away from any buildings, towards the road, backyard, or back lane. If you aren’t sure if you have enough downspouts, here’s a tip: one downspout is needed for approximately every 30 to 40 feet of gutter. To increase the capacity of your gutter system, just add more downspouts! Rainwater is heavy; each gallon weighs about eight pounds. Clogged gutters that are overflowing can’t hold all that weight, so clean gutters and plenty of downspouts are the key to strong, long-lasting gutter systems.