Gutters

The Basics of Gutters

Gutters are one of the most important parts of a home. The gutter system helps direct water away from the roof’s edge and foundation. Without properly functioning gutters, water will begin to filter and pool around your home, leading to flooded basements, foundational shifting, water damage, and a whole host of other problems.

Gutters can become damaged and have reduced functionality because of:

• Clogs: Clogs happen when debris (leaves, twigs, pine cones, bird nests, etc.) become lodged in the main gutter sections, corners, or downspouts.
• Cracks: Cracked gutters can result from large clogs, freezing, or structural damage due to hail, extreme weather, or falling tree limbs.
• Disconnected sections: A section of a gutter can become disconnected when a hanger, bracket, gutter spike, or connector becomes loose.
• Ice dams: These are large buildups of ice and snow along the house’s overhang or inside the gutter itself. These can result from a gutter clog that was not cleaned out during the fall or poor attic ventilation.
• Ejected endcaps: Sometimes, an endcap becomes loose and falls off, leading to water spilling out next to your foundation. Loose endcaps can happen naturally over time or result from fast-flowing water, storms, or incorrect installation.

To keep your gutters functioning at peak efficiency, it’s always best to clean them out twice per year, once at the end of spring and again at the end of fall. These two seasons produce the most debris for gutters, and by clearing at the end of each, you get all the cleaning done at once. Also, if you notice any damage to your gutters, you should have it repaired immediately.

If your gutters are experiencing problems or you want to read more about these essential water-directing systems, check out some of our articles below.