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Gutters come in many different styles, colors and serve
different functions depending on the specific needs of your home. Below are some frequently asked gutter questions to help you decide what gutter system is best
for you.
1. Why are gutters important?
There’s not much glamour in gutter protection
systems, but according to experts, a properly installed gutter protection system
can protect your home from serious damage year-round. Every serious home owner
should know that old, damaged or defective gutters have the potential to cause
damage to your home.
When gutters clog and the water is not diverted
properly, it will overflow into either the house or the foundation. This can
cause wood rot, foundation problems, ice damming, and landscaping erosion.
Damages associated with clogged gutters are many, however, this fall you can
avoid a great deal of expenses and unwanted hassles by installing a gutter
protection system.
Gutter protection systems help keep basements and
crawlspaces dry, protect siding and windows from harmful backsplash, and prevent
staining and rotting the walls of your house. In addition to causing damage to
your home, gutters clogged with soggy leaves and debris are also the perfect
breeding ground for mold and mildew, as well as mosquitoes and other pests who
are known disease carriers.
So while they may not be flashy, gutters are an
important feature of the home, which require a balance of practicality and
aesthetics.
2. What are some reasons to replace my gutters?
- Clogged or leaky gutters are one of the biggest
causes of basement leaks, mold and other foundation problems. Also, standing
water in gutters is one of the common places mosquitoes breed – mosquitoes are
known disease carriers.
- Old worn out gutters look ugly and reduce the value
of your property.
- Your old gutters may have become bent or dented or
may be pulling away from your property in a manner that they cannot just be
reattached or reworked.
- Your old seamed gutters may have begun to pull
apart or have drippy leaks and you would like to replace them.
- You want to change the color of your gutters.
- The drainage of your current guttering is not
sufficient so you want to install a larger size gutter and downspout system.
Most homes and commercial properties have 5 inch gutters with 2x3 downspouts,
but we can install 6 inch gutters with 3x4 downspouts when necessary.
- According to experts, gutter cleaning for an
average sized home containing 150 feet of gutters costs approximately $75, and
should be cleaned twice a year.
- Over a 30 year period, the total cost would be
$4500. By comparison, a lifetime lasting gutter protection system, at the price
of $15 per foot, would only cost
$2250 for the average sized home. This
makes gutter cleaning twice as costly as having a covered gutter protection
system installed. And this calculation doesn’t even count the cost of damage to
a home that can be caused by sub-standard gutters.
3. How can I tell if my gutters aren’t draining
properly?
If during a rainfall, you can hear the water slapping
the ground, pouring over the sides of the gutter, there may be a blockage or the
gutter itself may not be aligned evenly. If you notice paint peeling or corroded
wood that means the gutter is most likely clogged and is causing the water to
overflow and run down the back of gutter along the exterior walls of the house.
If you notice mold or if you see puddles of water forming around the outside of
your house it’s a sure sign that there are drain¬age problems.
4. What are the different types of gutters available?
All gutters are either sectional or seamless. They
come in various materials, sizes and colors. See the “How to Select a Gutter
System” section for more details.
5. Do gutters come in various shapes and sizes?
Yes. Most gutters come in several shapes and sizes
called profiles. These include U-shape as well as K-shape configurations. In
K-shape configurations the ogee-shaped front looks like the letter K allowing
the system to have more of a crown molding look rather than a boxy appearance.
See the “How to Select a Gutter System” sec¬tion for more details.
6. Why should I replace my gutters if there is
nothing wrong with them? Isn’t it easier and cheaper to just cover them up to
prevent them from clogging?
Your conventional gutter was designed to be cleaned
regularly. Even the best add-on gutter covers often compromise the integrity of
the roof. At best they allow longer periods between cleanings, and when cleaning
is necessary, they must often be uninstalled to give access to the trough. In
the long run, your best bet is to go with a covered gutter protection system,
which is designed to be maintenance-free. That way - you will never have to
clean or replace your gutters again!
7. Can I install gutters on my own?
Certainly, if you are a regular Mr. do-it-yourself
and are comfortable on a ladder, you can put up sectional gutters but you’ll
need a qualified professional to install the seamless gutter protection system.
8. What does “Limited Lifetime Warranty” mean?
Limited Lifetime Warranty means that your product
will be free of defects for the life of the product. This does not mean the
product will last your lifetime. In order words, if you move or sell your house,
the gutter warranty will no longer be appli¬cable to the new home owners.
9. Have more questions?
No problem. To get a chance to ask the tough
questions of a highly qualified expert in your area just pick up the phone and
call 800-396-7404. Take charge and protect your home starting now!
Source: S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows,
www.SKRoofing.com and
www.NoWorryGutters.com
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