Think of gutters as a protective layer that keeps your home water-free. Like a proofing agent, gutters dispel unwanted rainwater from entering your home. You can easily protect your gutters from leaking by knowing where and how often to inspect them.
Before we break down commonly remediated gutter problems, let’s discuss the importance of gutters for homeowners:
Importance of Gutters
Don’t underestimate the power of your gutter system. They do a lot more than simply line your roof. With a lifespan of 20 years, gutters channel rainwater away from your property, preventing water damage, structural damage, and even mold growth.
Here’s a comprehensive list of ways your gutters quietly protect your home:
1. Preventing Water Damage
A gutter’s main job is to funnel water as far away from your home as possible. This effectively keeps water out of your home, off your roof, and away from your foundation.
2. Foundation Protection
When rain collects around your home, it tends to trickle down to the base. Gutters make sure water is dispelled far away from your home’s foundation.
3. Preventing Soil Erosion
The soil around your home’s base dictates whether or not its foundation is stable. Moil that could compromise the soil is kept away by gutters.
4. Protecting Landscaping
Plants need water, but a lot of water can actually harm them. Gutter systems wash away water that could compromise your plants, flowers, and landscaping.
5. Preventing Mold and Mildew
Any amount of water damage has the potential to grow into a mold problem. By not letting water anywhere near your home’s base, gutters prevent mold and mildew from growing.
Common Causes of Gutter Leaks
Gutter deterioration of any kind requires professional remediation, but leaks are the most compromising. Leaks can cause several impactful issues, from mold development to structural damage.
Enlist in the help of a professional gutter cleaning service such as us at Westchester Gutter Cleaning to spot and repair these root causes of leaks:
1. Leaking Gutter Joints
Joints are the corner pieces that prevent water from leaking. However, joints can weaken over time. A professional may be able to carefully craft a working joint out of the salvageable pieces, but most joint damage requires a replacement.
2. Damaged End Caps
End caps are placed at the end of a gutter, preventing water from flowing in the wrong direction. Sometimes end caps loosen with age, making it harder for your gutter system to hold water.
A professional gutter service provider will already know this, but the best way to repair this damage is to install a new end cap. Either through a sealant or metal adjustment, all end caps can return to working order.
3. Holes and Cracks in the Gutter System
A gutter system with holes, cracks, or openings cannot force away water from your home properly. Smaller holes can be remediated with waterproof sealant. For larger cracks, you’ll need a gutter replacement.
A locally-operated service will have the tools and techniques you need for quick service.
4. Clogged Gutters
Although great at holding back water, gutters are easily impacted by dirt, leaves, and other debris. If left without routine cleaning, they won’t be able to efficiently curb water.
Professional gutter cleanings can help prevent gutters from being overloaded by leaves. Make sure you schedule regular gutter cleanings, especially during the fall and spring when leaves are more prevalent.
5. Loose Hangers
Hangers are what hold gutters in place. Fastened to a fascia board, hangers won’t move if installed correctly.
It’s not hard to drill hangers back in place. It’s essential that it’s done quickly to minimize water damage to both the board and your home.
How To Identify Gutter Leak Problems
It’s not hard to identify gutter leak problems if you know where to look. Check the perimeter of your gutter system for openings that could be contributing to leaks.
If you’re finding it difficult to locate the source of the leak, it’s easy to obtain expert help with Westchester Gutter Cleaning. Here are a few at-home ways to identify a gutter leak:
Visual Inspection
Simply looking at your gutter system can tell you whether or not it’s damaged. Is water flowing away from your home efficiently or is it spilling over the edges? If water is leaking or spilling, or if you notice plant life growing out of your gutters, then you have a problem.
Water Flow Test
Akin to letting the tap run, try letting water flow freely through your gutters and see how it does. You’ll know right away if gutters have been obstructed or damaged. Relay this information to your service provider so they can start repairing right away.
Check for Signs of Damage
Peeling paint, mold, or wet spots are physical signs that there’s an issue with your gutters. Water that leaks or overflows from your gutters can seep into your home. You can spot water damage if you see any mildew or overly saturated areas.
How To Fix Gutter Leak Problems
It’s not difficult to bring your gutters back to life. Using a few gutter-specific tools, you can restore them to full working condition. Westchester Gutter Cleaning recommends trying these easy gutter restoration techniques:
Clearing Clogs
If you have a gutter cleaning spoon, scoop and remove debris such as leaves or dirt from the gutter alleyway.
You can attach this to an extension pole so it’s easier to remove clogs.
Repairing Leaks
Simply cover holes or openings with a sealant. You can use a store-bought sealant or patching material for this repair technique. Remember that this is a temporary fix rather than a long-term solution.
Adjusting Pitch
Sometimes your gutters are just sitting at the wrong angle for successful water flow. Switch the positioning of your gutters and watch how easily muddled debris and waterfall through the downspout.
Replacing Downspouts
Broken downspouts cannot efficiently protect your home from water damage. Replace malfunctioning or broken downspouts so they can efficiently channel water away from your home.
Benefits of Gutter Repair Services
1. Prevent Structural Damage
Mitigate problems before they become widespread with seamless repair. Routine inspection and repair can prevent damage such as cracks or openings from developing.
With us, it’s easy. Call Westchester Gutter Cleaning for a locally operated repair service that addresses all gutter issues effectively.
2. Enhanced Curb Appeal
A well-working gutter system enhances the overall appeal of a home, especially if you are planning on selling. Prospective buyers don’t want to deal with repairs or replacements. A functioning gutter system is attractive to homebuyers and can ease their mind.
3. Cost-Effective Solutions
Catching issues early can minimize future costs. Larger, in-depth repairs cost more down the line than a smaller fix. Save yourself time, money, and effort by contacting us for a routine repair.
4. Increased Longevity of Gutter Systems
Gutters wear out over time, but regular repairs can help extend their lifespan. Call us before the damage becomes permanent and increase the longevity of your gutter system.
5. Expertise and Quality Assurance
Westchester Gutter Cleaning is determined to restore your home gutters with the highest quality tools, techniques, and technicians available.
You can rest assured that your gutters are safe from deterioration after service with us. Trust in our tried and true gutter cleaning and repair methods to save your gutters from damage.
CTA: Contact For Trustworthy Gutter Repair
Hiring a Reliable Contractor For Rain Gutter Leak Repair
Twenty years of experience has made us the local gutter cleaning service New York residents know and love. We understand the attention to detail it takes to remediate hidden or normally undetected gutter leaks.
The quicker you move, the quicker your gutters improve. Trust Westchester Gutter Cleaning to expertly remediate your gutter problems on your schedule. Contact us now or fill out a quick form to get a free estimate.
