| By: Anthony Delmedico |
Gutters: every house needs them, but unlike when the paint on your home cracks and fades and you notice from a distance that there's a problem, when it comes to gutters not everyone pays attention. if you just walk outside of your home after it's been raining and you catch a drip from your gutter, you might not think much of it. There's a point in time, though, when you're going to find that the drip was just the tip of the iceberg and that the gutters need to be replaced.
It is true: there are plenty of times when a drip from the gutters is an indication that you have a clog along the way and, if you were to head up to the roof and clear out some leaves, the problem would be an easy fix. However, you're also going to find that there are times when the issue isn't just a minor leak; instead, what you thought was just an inconvenience has led to a leak so severe that there are problems with rot in your roof or in the siding of your home or that the water is leaking into your basement.
Where do you turn when you realize that the issue with your gutters isn't something that you can let slide or that you can handle on your own? You should turn to a contractor who you will be able to count on. You're going to want to be sure that you are looking at gutters for your home that are well made, the right style for your home and that will fit into your budget as well.
In other words, a good contractor will not just be able to install new gutters and help to repair any damage that has been done as a result of the leak, but your contractor should also help you to learn more about the different types of gutters that are available to you.
For example, your contractor is going to be able to tell you about vinyl gutters and the benefits and drawbacks of them. If you live in an area where the temperature changes dramatically throughout the year - in New England where the summer temperatures can reach close to 100 degrees and winter temperatures can stay below 0 for days at a time, for example - vinyl gutters are not really going to be an option. Aluminum gutters are also affordable for those on a tight budget and will hold up to the weather in ways that vinyl won't.
However, that doesn't mean that aluminum gutters are right for everyone. If you don't want to do a lot to maintain your gutters, it's a better idea to go with steel than aluminum. Those who want low maintenance gutters stay away from copper gutters that need to be treated.
Gutters are definitely not something that can be looked at with a one size fits all approach; when you're choosing gutters, make sure that you know what your options are and which will be best for your needs - and make sure that you've got the right person installing them.
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