With all the rain we have gotten recently have you noticed the performance of your gutters?

Gutters are installed at the lower edges of the roof system to manage water runoff.  They collect the water as it runs off the building to make porches and sidewalks usable during rains.  A good gutter system can protect your home from premature deterioration of siding and trim, reduce the potential for water entry through the exterior walls and penetrations of your home, and help to maintain the foundation performance by properly directing water flow away from the foundation, preventing damaging erosion.  As we get into the rainy winter months and out of fall in our area, homeowners should schedule maintenance of their gutters.  It is at this time that that trees and shrubs are loosing their leaves, which clog gutter systems.

It is recommended that your hire a general contractor or gutter installation and repair contractor to provide repair services above ground level due to the inherent dangers of working from the roof or from a ladder.  Working from a ladder requires proper training and improper use of a ladder or improperly completing high work can result in serious injury or death.

The things you should look for:

1. Have your gutters checked for leaves and debris clogging the gutters.  It is good to check your gutters 2 to 3 times a year but especially in the fall and winter as the trees loose their leaves.  Clogged gutters will hold water and can become damaged due to excessive weight.  They will also allow excessive water to run over your cornice work and, over a long time, may result in premature rot of trim or the potential for water entry.
2. Be sure to check the fascia board behind the gutters.  This is the board the gutters rest against.  Often these are made of wood and will rot with age.  They often get overlooked during painting if the gutters are not removed, which results in deterioration.  If rot is located, the gutters should be removed to allow repair of the fascia and any associated cornice work.
3. Clean any debris off the roof system to ensure it will not get washed into the cleaned and repaired gutter system.
4. During cleaning of you gutters, check the gutter system for proper slope to the downspouts.  This will ensure there is no standing water at the gutter system that can harbor mosquitoes during the summer months.
5. The anchor points should be checked for loose or damaged anchors, which can allow the gutters to sag and hold water.
6. Joints in the gutter system should be checked for leaks.  The best gutter systems are mostly continuous and have few joints.  Joints which do exist should be well secured with fasteners and sealed to prevent leaks.  If you notice water leaking from gutter joints during normal operation, have them checked.
7. Check your gutter downspouts for damage.  This can include crushed gutters, gutters with missing downspout elbows, or downspouts that have become loose from the gutter or from the anchorage to the wall.
8. Check the downspout discharge points.  They should discharge to a splash block or into an area drain system.  This will prevent erosion of soil at the foundation, which may affect foundation performance.  Generally, water should not be allowed to run or stand against the foundation.  You may also need to periodically check and clean the area drain system.

Take care of your gutters and they will help to make your house a comfortable and well maintained home.