Gutter Installation and Clean Out
A Gutter is a narrow channel or trough located along the perimeter of a roof's sloped sides. They can be constructed from a variety of materials including zinc, galvanzied steel, painted steel, copper, aluminum and PVC. Gutters made from metal can also be constructed as seamless gutters.
How Do They Work?
A Roof Apron is run along the exterior of your roof where the gutter will be installed, providing a surface for the water to slide striaght off without permeating back up into your roof shingles. A Gutter Channel is attached to your Fascia Board, this can be done in a variety of methods, providing a collection and channeling system for the water coming off your roof. Attached to the Gutter Channel at its lowest point is a down pipe. This transfers the water from the channel down to ground level, depositing it away from your house's foundation or into a collection system such as a rain barrel.
Why Are Gutters Necessary?
Gutters are designed to help protect your home from the elements. Left unchecked and without Gutters, water can race down from the eaves of the roof, splashing down against your siding, windows, doors and foundations, eroding the soil from around your foundation. This action will not only cause leaks to emerge in the roof and around around windows and doors, but it will also cause damage to the foundation.
During periods of heavy rain common to the Floridian climate this can become more than just a significant issue. When the ground around your house becomes saturated, there is only one direction for the water to go, and that is down. Eroding the soil from around your foundation as it goes. Your first sign of foundation damage due to soil errosion is often the formation of cracks along masonary lines in your walls.
Why do They Need Cleaning?
Gutters need cleaning at least twice a year if you live in an area with a lot of trees. Especially if those trees are close to your house. Cleaning your gutters serves more purpose than just keeping your home looking clean. It may prevent damage to your home's interior fue to flooding through the foundation and walls or leaks in the roof due to seepage of water.
Not only can a blockage in your gutter lead to a build up and overflow of water that could cause damage to your home. Stagnant water left sitting in your gutter can become a breeding ground for creatures such as mosquito's. This standing water will also cause a strain on the supports securing your gutter to the house and may eventually lead to failure of the gutter.
Gutter Guards
To help reduce maintanence on your gutters, we can install a simple solution that will provide protection from debris getting into your gutter. A Gutter Guard can be something as smiple as a mesh material or perforated PVC that we can insstall when we add Gutters to your home. It simply acts as a barrier preventing most of the debris finding its way into your gutter. It does not eliminate the need to maintain your gutters, but it will certainly cut down on the number of times you need to have your gutters cleaned.
