What To Do When Your Gutters Pull Away
Have you noticed your gutters are pulling away from your home? It is not just about destroying the precise outline of your house; gutters that are pulling away from your home cause other problems as well. You must make sure that they are in place to ensure that your home is protected when it rains. It is important to know why gutters are necessary, how they work, and how to correct them when they pull away in the first place, so you can avoid running into any problems later on.
How Important Are Gutters?
There are times that gutters can appear simple and unnoticeable, even to the point that you may ask what gutters are for? They are very important, however, because they help to drain water from your house thoroughly and efficiently. Without gutters, rainwater or snow would just fall off your roof right onto the ground or trickle down your siding. As a result, there are chances that your home could suffer from mold growth and damage caused by water if this is not addressed. In areas that experience heavy and intense downpours, this can turn into a huge problem.
Even if you live in a place that doesn’t receive much rain, gutters are still essential. A homeowner who does not have them exposes himself or herself to many potentially dangerous situations that could have been avoided.
The cost of installing gutters is not cheap, but the benefits that gutters provide for years to come far outweigh the installation cost. Furthermore, a house without gutters is prone to many risks when it rains, so it is essential to make sure you have them in place.
Gutters Offer These Benefits
- Increase the lifespan of your roofing system.
- Make sure your siding is protected.
- Prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
- Maintain a dry environment.
No Gutters? Big Problems
- The lifespan of the roof is shorter.
- It leads to a mold infestation in the house, which can lead to health issues.
- It can cause damage due to moisture inside the house, on the walls and ceilings.
- Water causes the siding to become damaged.
- Water can damage foundations.
What Causes Gutters To Pull Away
Sagging gutters are usually caused by one of the following causes:
- The weight of water from rain or melting snow
- Leaves and branches from nearby trees
- Garbage and yard debris
- Critters and their nests
- Installing fasteners incorrectly
- Hangers spaced incorrectly
What To Do When Your Gutters Pull Away From Your House
Although it may seem like they would require very little maintenance, roof gutters need to be inspected regularly in order to properly protect your home. A gutter repair and twice-annual gutter cleaning are some of the best ways to remove accumulated junk that builds up in gutters over time. You may need to schedule more frequent cleanings if you live in an area where trees are prevalent or if there have been a lot of rainstorms or high winds. Keeping the gutters clean may also keep pests out.
As leaves and other debris collect in gutters, they can cause them to weigh down. It is also possible for water to accumulate on the roof if the gutters are not functioning properly. There can be serious consequences from this problem during the winter season. Any water trapped in gutters can freeze quickly and cause an ice dam to form. Similarly, the water that comes up through the roof and freezes can also swell and expand, which will further aggravate the damage already caused.
How To Fix Pulling Gutters
Obviously, you should contact a professional roofing company as soon as possible if your roof gutters are starting to pull away from your house. Gutters and soffits are typically inspected during a gutter repair. It is then up to the contractor to determine the root cause of the issues, and then recommend methods to fix the problem. You may just need to have new gutter brackets or hangers installed. It’s also possible that new holes will have to be drilled on your roof.
A seamless gutter system is a superb choice for folks looking to improve their gutter performance and reduce the amount of maintenance involved. Since seamless gutters are made from one section of metal, they are far more likely to last longer than traditional roof gutters. In addition, they can also be custom-made to cover your entire roof to give you seamless, total coverage of the surface. Gutter guards are another great option. They protect your gutters so they don’t get full of heavy debris and leaves.
How Far Should They Drain?
It is important that water on your roof drains at least six feet away from your home’s foundation so that it will not cause damage to it. If you do not funnel rainwater far enough away from the foundation of your home, you may end up having your own gutter system cause significant deterioration to your home and its foundation. If this is not addressed, your home’s foundation may be severely damaged over time, resulting in costly repairs.
Having Gutter Problems?
Your roof’s gutters may seem insignificant, but they play a vital role in preserving your house. If you are in need of some new gutters, call us today at (636) 699-0449.