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Whether you own a new construction or older home, there are certain systems which need regular maintenance in order to ensure they are functioning properly. Unfortunately, as homeowners, many individuals forget to monitor these aspects of their property until a problem arises. While it is relatively common knowledge that a roof may last anywhere from 20-30 years, depending on its construction material and type, rarely do people take the time to execute annual inspections for one of the most critical components of their home. These check-ups can easily be compared to the same doctor visits many humans take part in at least once a year to evaluate their own personal well being. Completing similar physical examinations for your roof may help to identify any potential issues and save money on any future repairs. Another critical construction system of the home which falls into a very similar situation are the gutters and downspouts.
Just like the roof, homeowners typically don’t give a second thought to the protective measures being completed by their gutter system until there’s an issue. When water shows up inside a home’s lower floor, exterior damage occurs, your property’s foundation is in jeopardy, or any number of problems caused by clogged gutters begin to appear it’s too late - the deadline for a quick fix or opportunity to save money has passed. Unfortunately, ignoring signs your gutter system may need replacing can end up costing even more money once water damage occurs as a result. Instead, take the time to have your gutter system professionally inspected for signs a repair or replacement may be necessary.
One of the first signs of a weakened gutter system is when any seams begin to leak or separate. Prior to modern installation methods, like seamless construction - a critical new concept which incorporates solid full length gutters along every needed portion of a roof line - these pieced together projects could cause quite the issue.
Not only do the seams provide areas where dirt and debris may become trapped, restricting water flow, but if they’re moving apart the potential for leaks to occur expands. Once breached, water will begin dumping outside the gutter trough and depending on where this problem occurs, the results could be extremely detrimental for your home.
Age, weather, sun exposure, and other elements may also cause the trough itself to crack or break on many older gutter systems. When this occurs, water begins to drip through the opening but over time this repetition can cause the crack to grow and potentially more water to fall through instead of flowing away from the property’s foundation. If left unattended, this water can cause serious damage to the landscape and perhaps a home. For this reason, any noticeable water not properly flowing through the entire gutter system should immediately be evaluated by a professional to determine the extent of damage and path to repair.
Both noticeable exterior physical damage to a gutter system or property water markings should be evaluated for any gutter issues. Depending on the location of your home, there could be plenty of physical hazards to the gutter system. Tree branches, leaves, hail, and other scenarios could all potentially cause damage to the trough lines or downspouts leaving your home vulnerable to water damage from rain or snow melt.
Basement or lower level flooding is one of the most hazardous outcomes due to a clogged, damaged, or non-functioning gutter system - especially when these areas are furnished and finished. Not only can water cause damage to your home’s foundation, but its appearance inside the residence could also potentially harm flooring, furniture, and any other valuables inside the home. Depending on the extent of damage to the system, the end result could be especially detrimental and is itself one of the main reasons homeowners should consider routine inspections of their existing gutter systems. Not only can these protective measures potentially avoid such a situation, but it may also reveal signs a repair or replacement is needed before it’s too late.
Water inside the home shouldn’t be the only concern for individuals as they evaluate their existing gutter system. If the trough lines or downspouts become clogged, then water could pour over the side creating a waterfall situation with heavy flow and/or a weight problem. The potential dangers of water are many, but one many people overlook is its weight. A backup could cause the trough line to pull away from the roof’s edge, leading to water slipping between the gutter and a property’s exterior. Not only is this dangerous for the home itself, but the gutter’s flow will also be distorted, potentially causing further issues elsewhere in the system.
On the ground, disarray to landscaping can occur or depending on where the problem lies, the water continually pouring over could interfere with walkways, doorways, or other parts of a home where access is needed. Depending on the height of your roof and amount of water, this overflow could also be especially detrimental.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, quality service has been our priority in Denver and the surrounding area for years as we handle any and all siding, gutter, or roofing needs. Arvada Roofing and Construction has been installing vinyl siding, completing gutter and roof installations, evaluations, and multiple other exterior household projects or associated services for nearly two decades. Their highly trained experts can provide an estimate on any repair, remodel, or new construction project, if needed, as well as any type of inspection you wish to have completed. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned about the effectiveness of your existing siding materials, gutters, roof, or already have an issue, we are here to help. Our certified and extremely knowledgeable staff is available to handle any siding, gutter construction, roofing job, or any potential damage analysis thought to be caused by severe weather for the purposes of insurance reporting. Contact us today online or call 303-432-2753 for your free estimate on any of the above mentioned projects!