On our recent trip to New Orleans to visit my daughter, we noticed that most homes don’t have gutter systems. After thinking about it a bit we realized that all rain is not the same. In New Orleans they get rains that come for about an hour followed by a bit of wind. With the warmer temperatures everything dries out right away. In the beautiful Northwest however we get more persistent rains and cooler temps and can’t relate to things drying out. So we have gutter systems. As I look around I also see lots of homes with poorly maintained gutter systems. This can lead to expensive decay and building damage.

We are bombarded with TV, radio and print ads for all kinds of gutter systems and gutter caps. There is so much hype to sort through I thought I would offer the attached information about gutters and gutter systems.

If you don’t like ladders and need a referral to a good gutter professional, feel free to give me a call.

425-765-2211

 

 

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Gutterology

The purpose of a gutter system is to properly route water from a roof and away from a building. A good gutter system includes proper drainage from the home either in the form of trenches, slopes or underground piping. A failed gutter system can shorten the life of the entire structure. Water can enter basements and living areas resulting in serious damage including mold. Gutter maintenance should not be overlooked. A single broken downspout can cause major flooding in a crawlspace from just one storm.

Maintenance. Most gutter systems will require periodic repair and cleaning. At least twice per year; early spring and late fall. Check after every major storm.r Remove all debris from the roof then the gutters, downspouts and attached piping. This is usually done with ladders, buckets and … the human hand.

    • Check all fasteners and secure as needed. For gutter brackets with spikes that are loose, try re-striking the spike to see if it will secure (not too hard as it can bend the gutter), if not, move the spike and ferrule to another location and re-install. Another option is to purchase brackets or hangers from the hardware store.
    • Stand back and look at each section of gutter, there should be a gentle slope toward the downspouts without any waves or twists.
    • You should not see daylight between the gutter and the roof edge. If you do, install an “L” flashing between the roof edge and the gutter.
    • On new installations check where each spike is installed to make sure it is centered on the rafter tails and does not split out on an edge. After the first rain, check the system for low spots and puddling. Excess puddling will add weight and over time cause the gutter to pull loose.
    • Check the downspouts to confirm they move water away from the house, install splash blocks if necessary
    • Install drop-out screens to help prevent debris from entering a closed drainage system through a downspout. Cleaning an underground piping system may require the services of a plumber.

Professional cleaning. This is a job that can be done by unskilled laborers with a ladder and is often an extended service offered by window cleaners. Just remember that window cleaners may not be the best option if the system needs repair. A good gutter cleaning and repair company will set you up on a schedule to complete these tasks and save you the agony of the work. A typical home will cost between $150 -$250 per visit. If you hire someone make certain they have the proper licenses and insurance. If you have a family member do the work make sure they use caution (or they are from the ‘other’ side of the family).