Spring is on the horizon and after enduring a cold and dreary winter, rain is likely to be in the forecast when it arrives. While there isn’t a perfect time of the year to specifically examine the effectiveness of your property’s gutter system, prior to the rainy season presents a good opportunity to ensure everything is flowing smoothly before rainwater becomes an issue either outside, or worse – inside your home. Improper drainage can cause a handful of issues and homeowners need to ensure their gutter systems are working correctly before it’s too late.
Although some aspects of a buildings gutter system must be observed during rainfall, there are a number of issues which can be detected and then remedied prior to the rains arriving. These obstacles are the ones that need to be addressed before the rain arrives – if properly taken care of then waterflow shouldn’t be an issue, no matter the amount of rainfall. However, there are a few deficiencies which may only be observed during a rainstorm and regardless of the confidence in your pre-storm inspection/improvements, a quick observation of the system in action can serve to not only ease any tension associated with the homes gutter system but also allow for property owners to rest easy knowing their rainwater removal system is working properly.
Each of the following areas can be observed prior to any excessive rainfall and should be considered to be a good starting point for examining the effectiveness of your gutter system. The intended purpose of a gutter is to move water away from the building in the most effective way possible. Given this is a task that can have extremely detrimental effects when ignored, knowing your gutter system functions properly is critically important. Consider the following areas of inspection before the any excessive rainfall arrives.
Blockages
Leaves and other items can cause blockages in the pipeline for gutter drainage. Whether located along the roofline or inside a downspout, any blockage is going to cause major issues for removing water from the property. If blocked at either location, the potential for flooding inside the home significantly increases. The good news is that many of these potential hazards can be located and removed prior to causing any serious damage.
One area that can cause blockages on older systems is the connection point between pieces of the gutter system. These overlapping joints create potential hazards for dirt, leaves, and twigs to become entangled and cause potential issues with the proper drainage pattern. To alleviate these issues, seamless gutter systems can be installed. It can be important to have seamless gutters when faced with multiple issues associated with the connection points in old gutter systems. The elimination of these potential stopping points creates a smooth and continuous water flow for homes and buildings equipped with a seamless gutter system.
The benefits of a gutter system without built in stoppage points can be extremely beneficial when attempting to create a free flowing system of rainwater away from the home.
Debris
Not only can the overlap pieces of older gutter systems cause issues, but debris – such as twigs, can also create a potential hazard. These random sticks and pieces of tree limbs which fall onto the roof and then eventually wind up in the gutter can restrict water flow and eventually lead to the same issues as blockages.
Before the rain arrives, a quick examination of the roof and gutter system can eliminate this hazard. Any sticks located on the roof itself or inside the gutter should be removed, allowing for free, unrestricted water flow throughout the system.
Build Up
Another source of blockage can be created by moss build up within the gutter system or on the roof itself. Moisture exposure and shade can increase the chance of this becoming an issue and once growing inside the gutter, it can cause water damage by creating a significant blockage.
Removing moss on roofs isn’t too difficult as there are many sprays and different manufactured components which can help to eliminate these issues. The key is early detection and often a simple overview of the gutter system and roof can lead to eliminating any moss build up before it becomes a significant issue.
Overflow
Once the rain begins to fall, noting any overflow patterns is key to eliminating any issues that were not found prior to the precipitation. If there are areas of the gutter where water is flowing over the side, then immediate action should be taken once it is safe and possible.
These areas can create damage to siding and the interior of a home if located near a downspout or other area where excessive water build up could penetrate into the building. The blockage may be a temporary issue created by a limb or leaves that got stuck after rains begin to fall and could not be located and remedied prior, but in any instance, observing the potential hazard and taking the measures necessary to eliminate any issues is important.
Downspouts
Another area of concern is the downspout. These need to also be clear of any debris and while a dry inspection may not reveal any issues, once the rain begins to fall there should be plenty of opportunity to find any problems. If the downspout is clogged then chances increase for the water to build up and flow into the home instead of underground and away from the property. Also, the blockage could lead to water back up through the downspout and create an overflow at the gutter itself.
Any indication of these issues should be dealt with once possible to avoid any long-term effects of water damage or overflow. The ability to locate and then remedy any issues in the quickest manner possible will serve to best protect your home and investment.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, quality service has been our priority in Denver and the surrounding area. Arvada Roofing and Construction has been completing gutter installation, 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 now construction project, if needed, as well as any inspection you wish to have completed. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned about the effectiveness of your gutter system or already have an issue, we are here to help. Our certified and extremely knowledgeable staff is available to handle any construction or roofing job and provide a variety of other services such as seamless guttering systems, 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!