With winter almost upon us, the weather is starting to cool down rapidly, which means icy mornings and falling leaves cluttering up front lawns and gutters alike. The combined impact of the changing seasons can add up to trouble for your home’s gutter system before the holidays even start this year.
Most homeowners don’t realize you don’t need a heavy snowstorm to end up with serious problems impacting your home’s gutter system. When left unattended, they can end up causing damage to your home’s siding, windows, roof, and foundation.
Our gutter installation contractors at Anderson Exteriors in Ramsey can help you assess the condition of your gutters and stop problems in their tracks before they threaten your home.
Let’s talk about the most common problems affecting your home’s gutters and how we can help!
Gutter Clogs
Between the heavy rains of spring and summer to fall leaves and other debris, your gutters can easily end up with a blockage. A clog in your gutter system can damage your gutters, causing damage to your roof. It can also reroute water so it ends up inside your home or damages your foundation near the house.
Mold Growth
By the time winter rolls around, chances are pretty good your gutters have been collecting debris all summer long. When all of that debris begins to decompose, your gutters can become a breeding ground for unchecked mold.
Not only does mold threaten the structural integrity of your canal system, but it can also spread into your home. Keeping debris out of your gutters is the only way to prevent the proliferation of mold in your system.
Fire Hazards
You may not realize it, but debris in your home’s gutter system represents a fire hazard. The problem is greatest in the summer when dry air can interact with debris in your gutters to create homegrown kindling. But high wind days can happen any time of year, and having debris in your gutters isn’t worth the risk.
Wildlife Nesting
When your gutters are filled with leaves and twigs, they can make an inviting home for a wide variety of wildlife. Insects, birds, squirrels, and even rodents can end up nesting in your gutter system. This can create blockages and contribute to warping and weight damage.
Sagging Gutters
Whether caused by heavy clogs or weakened hardware, your gutters can sag. Sagging gutters means rainwater will collect in the dip, preventing proper drainage. This can cause further sagging or gutter collapse. It can also cause the wood in the area to rot, causing even more problems.
Leaking Gutters
Intense storms can cause more than just roof damage and broken windows. Your gutters also take a beating during heavy wind and rain. A leaking gutter can erode the support and foundation underneath the leak. These leaks can also cause weakened hardware and gutter corrosion.
Improper Slope
Improper gutter slope can be difficult to spot, however, it is wise to have a gutter installation contractor inspect your gutters for this problem. You will notice this potential problem when your gutters fail to drain properly without visible leaks. Improperly sloped gutters can cause hardware issues and standing water, leading to future leaks.
Improper Downspout Angle
In addition to your gutters requiring a specific slope to drain properly, your downspouts need to be angled correctly. If the downspouts drain too close to the house, you may experience foundation issues and basement leaks due to water pooling in the area.
Damaged Gutters
There are many reasons a gutter can sustain damage. While falling trees and hail damage are the most common causes, your gutters will wear out over time. Maintaining your gutters is important to avoid other problems, like foundation erosion and leaks inside the house.
Gutter Joint Separation
Your home’s gutters are segmented pieces of aluminum combined with joint pieces. Heavy snow, rain, or any other problem that causes excess weight in your gutters can make the gutter joints separate from each other.
No Gutter System at All
Some houses don’t have a proper gutter system installed from the start. Proper gutters must be installed to avoid problems caused by rainfall. All of the above problems become even greater if your house lacks proper drainage systems.
Connect With Your Ramsey, MN Gutter Installation Contractors
If your gutter system is in need of maintenance, it’s more than just an unattractive nuisance. Damaged gutters can end up costing you significantly in terms of serious damage to your home over time. With seamless gutters and gutter covers, we can help you create a reliable gutter system that will protect your home for years to come.
Contact our gutter installation pros at Anderson Exteriors to get an estimate on your gutter repair or gutter cover installation. You can check out our past work in our gallery and see how our gutters can impact the look of your home.
Call us at 763.323.0970 or contact us to schedule your gutter updates today!