Your home’s gutters are a vital part of keeping it in great shape and looking its finest. To fully understand how important they really are, you need to know what they do, why to maintain them and how to keep them in good shape.
Purpose
Gutters are put along the edge of roofs because they collect water from precipitation or melting snow as it runs down the incline. They then redirect this stream through downspouts and away from the foundation and nearby shrubbery. If they weren’t there, water would simply run down the wall, putting unnecessary stress on siding, doors and windows. This extra wear will cause damage and may make projects like replacing your windows a far more frequent occurrence. When gutters are installed correctly, your home will have a longer life span and you will have lower bills on a monthly basis.
Why Maintain
Just having gutters isn’t enough, though. Rainwater carries things like sticks, leaves, seed pods from trees and other debris with it. Once water has drained away, that natural refuse stays in the gutter. If left alone, clogs can form, which then cause water to pool on the roof or spill off the gutter edge. This can cause serious water damage to your roof and underlying structures. When the painfully dry days of Minnesota summers hit, the dried leaves are a very real fire hazard. Although cleaning your gutters can be a chore, it’s the best way to prevent those outcomes.
Gutter Guards
If it’s not possible to clean the gutters, or you simply don’t want to, installing gutter guards might be a smart move. These guards allow water to drain, but block debris from entering with it. They’ll cut down on time spent maintaining the gutters and reduce the possibility of water damage.
The next time you look at your house, take a moment to think about your gutters and if they need a good cleaning. It’s also a good idea to check them on a rainy day to see how well they’re taking care of the water runoff. Any spillover or leaks means it’s time for a repair or replacement.
Window Outfitters offers gutter installation as well as other exterior home remodeling solutions in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
