When you look up at your roof line do you see the beginnings of a national forest growing from the saplings in your gutters?
Have you ever been trying to unlock your front door when its raining outside and the water pours down on you from your overflowing gutter and gives you an unwelcome shower?
When you look up at your gutters do they look as if someone got creative and tried to stripe them?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it means there is a problem with your gutters overflowing and water not being properly directed away from your home. It is important that you contact a gutter professional to fix the issues before you have serious damage to your home. Homeowners living in the Nashville area know all it takes is one phone call to the experts from Gutterman of Middle Tennessee and their gutter issues will be solved.
Gutters are designed to channel the water away from your roof and the foundation of your home. If you don’t have gutters on your home, or if your gutters are not properly functioning, or they are damaged, the water runoff will pool around your foundation and cause major structural damage. Gutters provide a necessary function in protecting the structural integrity of your home.
The harm caused from overflowing gutters includes cracked driveways and concrete, flooded basements, roof and siding damage, and mold growth…all of which are expensive and complicated repairs. And of course, whenever mold is involved, it means a health hazard as well.
Other signs that your gutters are overflowing include a drip line or trench under the gutter area around your house, dried leaves/dirt/debris on the gutters, rotting or peeling paint, and/or gutters that have pulled away from the house.
“Unfortunately, gutter systems take more abuse from extreme weather conditions, particularly ice and snow, than any other component of the building envelope. They are also subject to damage from ladders and being stepped on, as well as from falling tree limbs and debris.”, according to the Old House Web How To Advice.
Therefore, it is important to walk around your house and pay close attention to the condition of your gutters and the area adjacent to them. Look for streaks from water that has not been directed through the gutter into the strategically placed downspout. Water run off will leave its tell tales signs of brown stripes and lines both on the actual gutters and the sides of your home. Look to ensure that all the gutters fit tightly along your roof line and there are no gaps and the gutters are not pulling away from the fascia. Make sure that your downspouts are fit properly and are correctly attached to the gutter, the water is being directed away from your home, and there is no pooling of water.
If you are unsure of what to look for or see anything that looks suspicious, then call your gutter professional to inspect your gutter system and make sure is functioning properly and able to handle the run off in your area during all four seasons.
If you are in the Nashville area, Gutterman of Middle Tennessee is available to share or knowledge and expertise with you to provide you the best gutter system possible to keep your home protected from water damage.