By: Steven Briesemeister
If leaky gutters aren’t properly wicking water away from your homes siding, windows, walls and foundation, then your home could be experiencing leak issues. Faulty gutter systems can be a sure bet that water leaks are going to happen—or already have. Roofer911 recommends that you have your gutter system inspected twice a year before heavy winter snows and wet summer conditions can have a chance to take their toll on your roof and gutter systems. Call Roofer911 at (703) 475-2446 or send us an email at Roofer911@gmail.com and we’ll send a quilified roofing specialist to inspect your gutters free of charge and provide you with a no obligation estimate of any damages we find.
Your gutter inspection should involve many different areas of inspection and detail each area of the gutter systems to ensure it is in working order. When checking your gutters for disrepairs of damages, you will need to check around:
• Drip Edges/Eaves: These areas of the gutter system are the metal flashing that is at the edge of the roof. Typically, it holds the fascia in place to prevent water from entering through the subfascia and into the soffits, walls and ceilings. Many gutter systems attach under or against this metal flashing. When inspecting your gutter system for leaks or problems, be sure to check this often neglected area for signs of trouble.
• Seams: Even if you have seamless gutters, they still have seams where corners meet and downspouts connect. Check these areas for signs of water damage to prevent roof, wall and foundational leaks around your home.
• Downspouts - Clogged downspouts can be serious problems when heavy rains or storms visit your home. Checking for clogged downspouts can be tough when many bends or angles are in the spout channel. Be wary of placing any sticks or wires into angled downspouts as this can easily cause damages. You may need to remove sections of the downspout to inspect hard to reach spots on your gutter system.
• Fasteners - The connections that hold your gutter system to your fascia can be either screwed or nailed in place. Checking these fasteners for signs of corrosion and replacing any damaged fasteners can help prevent costly gutter repairs and replacement. Also check for misaligned fasteners as these can miss the subfascia entirely and penetrate through the roofing membrane causing a roof leak.
When you’re inspecting these areas for signs of damages, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for a few specific gutter damage symptoms. If you see any of the following signs of gutter damages, be sure to call Roofer911 at (703) 475-2446 or send us an email at Roofer911@gmail.com and we’ll send a qualified roofer to inspect your gutters for damages and provide you with a detailed, no obligation estimate of your gutter repairs. Look for these signs to prevent future gutter damages:
• Staining - Discolorations and stains on siding, eaves and soffits can be a sure sign that your gutters are leaking and need to be inspected for further damages. Stains can also be a sign that roofing problems are abound, so be sure to have any odd stains or other discolorations checked right away before gutter problems get out of hand. If you find any signs of gutter damages on your home or business—don’t hesitate to call today at (703) 475-2446 for a free, no obligation inspection and estimate.
• Sagging - Sagging gutters can be more than just an eyesore. Sags can cause water to splash out prematurely from gutters and onto walls and foundation, causing your home to leak. Sagging gutters can also be signs that the fasteners that are holding them in place are damaged and have broken free from the fascia. Sagging gutter may also be signs of decay in the wood surfaces behind the fascia.
• Mold - Mildew and mold stains are a sure signal that something is wrong with your gutters. Water that has been allowed to sit in gutters can create mold and mildew within 48 hours. If mold is allowed accumulate around gutters unabated, it can easily penetrate into the home. In some cases, black mold can form, causing serious health concerns and expensive repairs. If you spot any signs of mold or mildew around gutters and downspouts; don’t wait before problems spiral out of control. Call Roofer911 today at (703) 475-2446 for a complete inspection of your mold concerns.
• Damp Basement - If you have uncontrollable water intrusion through basement walls, you may find that your gutter system isn’t properly draining water away from the foundation and basement walls. When correct gutter drainage, a sump pump and interior basement wall waterproofing works together, you can be sure your basement space will be as dry as a desert. If you believe your gutters are causing your basement to leak, don’t wait before bigger problems have chance to happen. Call Roofer911 today at (703) 475-2446 or send us an email at Roofer911@gmail.com and we’ll inspect your gutters for any signs of damage.
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