Your Top Four Gutter Questions Answered

Your home is designed to protect you from the rain, but rain can be brutal. Without a good gutter system, the water can quickly cause major damage that requires expensive repairs. Luckily, the gutter system is one of the easiest areas of your home to maintain. If you would like to learn more, check out these questions about gutters.

1. What Types of Gutters Are Available?

Typically, gutters come in two styles: K-style and half-round. K-style gutters are the most common, and they are designed to better blend into the house by looking like crown molding. Half-round gutters, as the name suggests, are rounded. They are attractive on older homes, but they can't hold as much water as K-style gutters.

You can get 5-inch and 6-inch sizes in both aluminum and copper. Also, they come in a variety of colors to choose from. Seamless gutters have a reduced risk of leaking because the entire structure is one piece. 

2. How Much Attention Do Your Gutters Need?

Like any part of your home, the gutter system requires some maintenance. The most important part of maintaining your gutter system is cleaning it. Leaves, twigs, and other debris eventually collect in the gutters, which prevents water from flowing to the downspout. If you do not get up there with a ladder to remove all that gunk, your gutters will start to overflow, which can affect your home's siding, foundation, landscaping, and more.

3. How Can You Make Maintaining Gutters Easy?

Luckily, you can install gutter guards to drastically reduce the need to clean your gutters. Gutter guards are designed to allow water to enter the gutters, but they prevent most debris from entering the gutter.

There are multiple types of gutter guards, and they all have their own advantages. We specialize in perforated metal guards and a heavy-gauge screen. You will still need to occasionally clean the gutter guard, and remove small debris from inside the gutters, but overall, any type of gutter guard should reduce maintenance. 

4. What Are the Signs You Need New Gutters?

If your gutter system is getting older, it may be time to replace it, but how can you tell if you need new gutters? Luckily, there are many signs. One of the leading warning signs is cracks. Even small cracks can grow as water forces its way through the opening. You may not be able to see the cracks, but you may see peeling paint, damaged siding, and mildew.

Other signs are a bit more glaring, such as gutters that pull away from the house. Naturally, gutters with damaged seams or rust should be replaced. If your hardware is failing (fasteners, nails, etc.), a good repair may do the job, but depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to have the entire system replaced.

Your gutters are an important feature for your home because they help prevent water damage and standing water. Gutters do need regular cleaning, but you can reduce the need with gutter guards. If you would like to know more about gutter guards, gutter replacement, or gutter repair, or if you would like to get a quote on a project, contact us at Allstate Gutter and Siding today.