Gutters may seem like just another part of your home, but play a vital role in keeping everything free of problems. To best protect your home, you need to understand why gutters in Plymouth Michigan are so crucial, and how you can help them to keep your home healthy and free of problems. Most home owners never consider the gutters on their home when it comes to the roof of their homes but without proper gutters you may be putting your roof at risk. Plus, problems on the gutters can result in damage to your roof and eventually a roof leak. Here are some tips to help make sure your gutters are performing as they should and what you should look for.
What You May Not Know About Your Gutter System in Plymouth Michigan
Most homes built in the last 20 years have a gutter system in place. Without proper gutters installed in your home it can lead to many problems with the roof of your home. Not only that but without proper gutters you can have many problems with landscaping around your home especially after a heavy rainfall. Gutters are relatively inexpensive and can last a long time but when there is a problem with the gutters it may cause damage to other parts of the home. Here is more details about the gutters for a home and what you may need to consider:
They Help Prevent Damage
Gutters serve as a way to divert water away from your home and to a safe distance. This means that rain, melting snow and ice can drip into your gutters and exit out the downspout, rather than directly off your roof and around your home’s foundation.
Keeping water away from your home’s foundation is crucial because too much moisture can impact the soil and how well it stays in place. When soil becomes too loose, you can end up with sinking foundations, as well as steps and decks. The sinking can be minimal, or severe depending on how bad the soil is, but can cause your home to end up crooked.
Moisture diversion is also used to keep water out of your basement. Water flowing down around your home can find its way into your basement and damage your belongings. This can mean flooding, mold and mildew.
Materials Matter
You need to consider what kind of materials you are using for your gutter, and how they will impact the overall function and design. While most gutters are made from metal, there are still homes that still use wood. This is a major problem for your home because wood is a porous material and is incredibly susceptible to water damage. That includes warping, rotting, and mold forming.
Gutters should be made of a stainless-steel material that will help fight off corrosion and withstand water absorption. This will not only make the materials last longer, but also help prevent damages from spreading and impacting other parts of your home.
Maintenance Is Vital
To keep your home healthy and free of problems, maintenance is a must. Gutters are no exception, and are one of the most important parts of maintaining your roof. That is because gutters can easily become obstructed, causing moisture to be blocked and build up. The moisture can become so backed up that it overflows onto the ground around your home’s foundation, or sit on your roof.
When moisture sits on your roof, it eats away at the covering and works to form leaks to get inside. Roof leaks can lead to a loss of energy efficiency, create structural weakening, and allow mold to grow and spread. For these reasons, you need to check your gutters and do a thorough cleaning at least one a month.
Consider the Overall Design
Gutters are just one part of a bigger picture when it comes to protecting your home from moisture. Gutters need to be properly secured to your home on the fascia board to help keep moisture out. You also need to make sure that the gutter piping runs down and the downspout is far enough away from your home.
If you’re considering gutters on your home in Plymouth Michigan it is always best to use a fully licensed contractor to do so. At Home Pros Plymouth, they offer full gutter and roofing services to help. They also offer free quotes on roofing and gutter projects. Call them today to learn more.
