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Rain Gutters
Installation of rain gutters is an important and necessary step in maintaining a solid house and a safe home. Gutters divert rain water and melting snow away from the house, and drain into a designated area on your property, decreasing the threat of a flood in your basement, and the risk of damage to the exterior and interior of your home. Water damage can include:
- Landscape erosion
- Foundation damage
- Driveway and walkway damage
- Basement leaks
- Roof and shingle erosion
- Interior wall and paint damage
- Yard floods
- Black mold infestation
Keep
in mind that repairs to damaged property can
cost hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars.
Moreover, if black mold begins to grow in your
house due to dampness caused by water infiltration,
you and your family are at risk for health problems.
It is truly worth your time, effort, and money
to have rain gutters installed on your home.
Call your local contractor and ask for an estimate. It is wise to get more than one estimate, so contact a few reputable companies; not only will you be able to compare the work involved, but you may also be surprised at the cost differences between competing businesses. If you are a ‘do it yourself’ type of person, there are numerous books and websites that will provide you with information and help you with the installation of rain gutters.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance of your rain gutters
is as important as installing them. The most
common problem encountered by homeowners is
blockage. Leaves, twigs, acorns and seed pods,
as well as dead rodents and birds are often
the cause, especially during the spring and
autumn months. Any obstruction will prevent
water to flow freely, causing a build-up which
often results in damage to the gutters. Fortunately,
the problem is easily corrected by climbing
a ladder and using some good old fashioned elbow
grease; just remove the blockage and the problem
is solved. However, do not lean or pull on the
gutters as bending and breakage can occur. An
accumulation of heavy debris in the gutters
can actually pull them down to the ground. A
time saving and inexpensive solution is to install
rain gutter guards or jackets; they prevent
foliage from clogging the gutters, and allow
the water to flow through easily.
